Gluten-Free Strawberry Muffins

Gluten-Free Whole Grain Strawberry Muffins

http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2011/04/gluten-free-whole-grain-strawberry.html

The combo of five whole grain flours gives a delicate, aromatic flavor to these strawberry studded muffins. Light and tender, these bumpy dome topped beauties make a perfect breakfast treat for spring and summer. Use local organic strawberries for maximum deliciousness.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup hazelnut flour or almond flour
*1/2 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup sorghum (jowar) flour
*1/2 cup millet flour
*1/2 cup coconut flour
*1/4 cup organic sugar
1 tablespoon tapioca starch or arrowroot starch
*2 teaspoons baking powder
*1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 large organic free-range eggs, beaten
*1/4 cup light olive oil or grape seed oil
*1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
*1 tablespoon bourbon vanilla extract
*3/4 to 1 cup vanilla soy milk, rice milk, coconut or nut milk, as needed
1 1/2 cups fresh organic strawberries , washed, stemmed, diced

*indicates ingredient that can be purchased at Apple Wellness

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients- from the hazelnut flour to the nutmeg. Add in the beaten eggs, oil, pure maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Beat to begin combining. As the batter is coming together, start pouring in the soy milk, slowly, a little at a time, and beat to mix thoroughly. When you have added 3/4 cup liquid, take a close look at your batter. It should be soft and slightly thick. Add the rest of the milk slowly, continuing to beat. When the batter looks like a muffin batter, stop adding the liquid. I used a full cup, but some of you in more humid climes might need a tablespoon or two less liquid. This batter isn't super-smooth and sticky (no xanthan gum!). It is not as thin as cake batter. It should look almost puffy.

Stir in most of the strawberries by hand, using a wooden spoon (reserve a portion of the strawberry pieces for the tops). Spoon the strawberry muffin batter into the twelve lined cups. Stud the tops with strawberry pieces. Don't smooth out the tops- leave them puffy and bumpy.

Bake in the center of a pre-heated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Note: If your berries are cold, your muffins will take a few minutes longer to bake. Cool the pan on a rack for five minutes, then turn out the muffins to continue cooling on a wire rack (this keeps them from steaming in the hot pan and getting soggy).

Cook time: 30 min, Yield: 12 muffins

Nature's Plus Prenatal Vitamins Review

 

I normally have a very sensitive stomach, and this was only intensified with the morning sickness I experienced during my early weeks of pregnancy. Before becoming pregnant, I had tried several other great prenatals, but each of them tended to make me a little queasy unless I took them with a meal. 

When Tim started me on Nature’s Plus Prenatals, I immediately noticed the amazing difference. I could take them at any time of the day, with or without food, and they never, never made me feel sick. This is because they are in a whole food form, so my stomach recognizes them in the same way it recognizes fruit or lettuce. Also, they smell nice, which is huge when you’re pregnant and every little smell is enough to send you running to the bathroom. I could take these without a problem, and I felt reassured that I was getting the proper nutrients my little baby needed, especially since I wasn’t able to eat much. The pills are big, but not huge, and I never have had a problem swallowing them. I would recommend this prenatal vitamin for everyone!

It’s important to note that every woman who is trying to get pregnant, or considering getting pregnant in the near future, should be on a prenatal vitamin. These vitamins are specifically formulated to get a woman’s body ready to bear a child, and some important nutrients, like folic acid, are most needed before many people even realize they are pregnant!