Fully Integrated Muffins!

We’ve been talking a lot about Fully Integrated Thinking these days at HOK.  In the spirit of this new attitude, I thought I would share this recipe, which comes very highly recommended by all who have tried them. 

This is one that my friend gave me a few years ago and quickly became a staple in my house.  It’s a perfect base (or framework) for those who like to get creative with their cooking (me),  but serves equally well for those who go by the book (my husband).  As a start, it has everything healthy – all the food groups with very little fat and sugar – but combines (or should I say integrates) them in such a way that they taste great.  Now, for the ones who like to experiment, try switching out the chocolate chips with blueberries or strawberries (i’ve done both).  Or, leave the chips but use less sugar or instead of banana, use pumpkin (done that too).  I’ve used all whole wheat, no flax, more oats and it still works. You really can’t go wrong.

So, as you can see my new name for these tasty treats, formerly known as Moist & Healthy Banana Muffins, is quite FITting (ha!).  I hope you get a chance on a cold wintery day to make these for the people in your world. And let me know if you come up with a new integration worth sharing.  Happy Eats!

The recipe makes 24 muffins, but can be cut in half if you want a smaller batch.

Moist & Healthy Banana Muffins (aka FIMs)
Yield: 24 Muffins
Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees

In a large bowl mix these dry ingredients:
1 cup white flour
1 cup quick oats
3/4 cup wheat flour
1/4 cup ground flaxseed (if you don’t have ground flaxseed, substitute w/ wheat flour)
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt

In a larger bowl mix these ingredients:
6 very ripe, well mashed bananas (I use more and i store them in freezer which makes them really mushy)
1 1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup applesauce
1/3 cup canola oil
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs

Slowly add the dry ingredients into the banana mixture until well blended. 

Optional: (says optional, but i think the choc chips are a must and mini actually does taste better than big)
1 cup chopped walnuts and/or 1 cup chocolate chips (or mini chocolate chips)

Bake for 30-35 minutes