Marching My Way Into April

March is winding its way into April, and flowers are blooming left and right

It's been a busy month for me, one of growth and new opportunities

...and still having time still for doodling and being creative :)

My best friend gave me his old Nikon DX Camera which is budding my

 fiery passion for photography and blogging once again! Remember 

my love for the Nikon Coolpix? Well this just trumped that.

I've been taking lots of photos of plants, both indoors and out

Not sure the name of this here plant but it's sure lovely and brilliantly green

And how could I finish without a photo of my favorite 

foods: Muffins! Chocolate Chip Espresso Muffin to boot!

Question: What are some of 

your favorite things about Spring? 

The Biggest Muffin Top

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A MUFFIN TOP THIS BIG!?!?!

I had to capture these photos of my moms Chocolate Espresso 

Chip Chunk Muffin before she ate it because...well, because!!!

She picked this hefty muffin up from Whole Foods 

Market in Vancouver to bring back home with her

Just look at those chunks of creamy, rich, milk chocolate *gasp*

Definitely the best thing I have laid eyes upon in a long time 

hehe. And my mom said this muffin was even better in her tummy ;)

Question: What is the coolest thing,

 pertaining to food, you have seen in awhile?

Protein Shakes and Chocolate Muffins

Nothing like a Coffee Infused Protein Shake to wake you up on a Monday

Made with Vanilla Shakeology protein powder, a banana and instant coffee granules

I was hoping this would fill me up because I woke up starving and ravenous

But it didn't quite hit the spot the way I needed it to, so I opted for more food...

A chocolate chip muffin should do it!

Vegan Spelt Chocolate Chip Muffin from Green Cuisine

There, finally full. My tummy is happy!

Jumbo Strawberry Jam Muffins

created by Snacking Squirrel

Ingredients

3 cups whole wheat flour

1.5 cups crushed strawberries

3/4 cup sugar + 1/4 cup honey

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1/2 cup vegan margarine

1 large beaten egg

1/4 cup jam (strawberry or other)

1 Tbsp lemon juice

2.5 tsp baking powder

1.5 tsp baking soda

1 tsp sea salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 360 Fahrenheit

2. Line muffin tin with muffin cups or butter

3. Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl

4. Mix wet ingredients in a separate bowl

5. Mix wet ingredients in with dry ingredients

6. Fold together just until well combined

7. Bake in the oven for 20-23 minutes

Let them cool for 10 minutes before eating

Yields: 6-8 large/jumbo muffins

These are very dense and very hearty, yet soft and fluffy

Goes perfectly in the afternoon or mid-morning with a cup of tea :)

Update: I forgot to add the butter/margarine

to these. So they work as being fat free too!!!

Carrot Millet Pumpkin Seed Muffin

My Saturday mornings are made for muffins

Wild Fire Bakery's Carrot Millet Pumpkinseed Muffin

A few years ago, I made these same muffins 

here using the basic ingredients listed above

They're so dense and hearty I always feel satiated

 after eating them, with an extra spring to my step

Reminds me I have to make them again. Nothing 

like stocking up on these bad boys in your freezer

Question: Have you ever re-created a recipe

 from your favourite bakery or restaurant?

Apple Oat Peanut Butter Trail Mix Muffins

Apple Oat Peanut Butter
Trail Mix Muffins

created by Snacking Squirrel

Because who doesn't love a mix of everything scrumptious in a muffin form?

Ingredients:

1.5 cups whole wheat flour

1.5 cups almond milk

1 cup trail mix

1 large chopped apple

3/4 cup whole oats

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup vegan butter

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp cardamom

Here's what I used...

Planters Deluxe Nut & Fruit Trail Mix

Fruit & Nut Trail Mix

Organic Smooth Peanut Butter

Directions:

Step One: Mix wet ingredients together with peanut butter and apple

Step Two: Put dry ingredients together in a separate bowl

Step Three: Mix dry ingredients

Step Four: Mix wet and dry ingredients together

Step Five: Spoon mixture generously into greased muffin tin 

Step Six: Bake in preheated oven at 400 Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes

Step Seven: Let cool for 1o minutes before serving

Enjoy!

Yields: 9 large muffins or 12 medium-sized