Pear Granola muffins using Tooter's granola

I made these for poker tonight. They are no sugar added and to die for. Next time I will cut out the canola oil and use prune baby food. Wasn't sure how much to substitute....These are really really good. 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour 3/4 cups quick cooking oats 1/2 cup Tooter's granola 3/4 cup granular Splenda (not the mix) 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/2 teapoon salt 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 2 eggs 3/4 cups milk (I used fat free Lactaid) 1/3 cup canola oil 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups chopped ripe pears 1/4 cup Tooter's granola for topping (optional) Preheat oven to 350. Spray muffin tin (12 muffin) with cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix together flour, oats and 1/2 cup granola, Splenda, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. In another bowl, whisk eggs with milk, oil and vanilla. Pour into dry ingredients and mix gently until almost combined. Stir in pears. Spoon into muffin tins. Sprinkle 1/4 granola over muffins. Bake 350 for 20 minutes or until tester comes out clean. I even figured the nutrients for you.......this is with oil...will be lower with baby food. This may not be EXACT.....but I figured it as close as possible with the ingredients that I used. per muffin Calories = 200 Fat = 19 Cholesterol = 36 Sodium = 20 Potassium = 93 Carbs = 22 Protein = 5 Hugs from the Beach

I'm just so darned happy to SEE YOU!!! Been missing you!

Hey Tooter...thanks for missing me. I'm still kicking. I got a little part time job in a local department store. I work evenings....which keeps me away from the computer and the fridge and keeps me moving. I joined a gym and have been going 'fairly' regular. Trying to build a bit of muscle to help my metabolism...which is non existant now. Still cooking a baking and trying new things. I made 2 batches of granola the other day....one I baked too long and its really toasty. I like it ok...but made another batch thats a little less....um.....done. All is well here on the beach....the weather is glorious...and yes Lynda...I've started playing golf again.....and doing quite well I might add. Just too dang many snow birds on my golf course....LOL. Take care Toots....and try those muffins...they will freeze well. Hugs from the beach Charlie

I will try those muffins...but it will be a couple months. I'm eating on my plan right now. Ugh. I'd love to play golf! I play miniature. Can't afford those big golf courses and clubs etc. Lucky gal! So do you get some good discounts from working in the Dept store?

Good morning Tooter. Thanks for the info. on the coconut. Maybe the health food store would have it. Ok, spill the beans !!!! Whats your plan that you are eating on for a couple months????? I an starting the plateau buster today and am not sure that I like doing that but I need to take of some pounds before plastics on the 26. My orders not Dr. orders. Have a good day, Hugs, Betty the pest

Morning Betty! Yes, the healthfood store 'should' carry unsweetened coconut Ok you ask about my plan. Basically, I don't swallow the whole plateau buster idea. Why? Because you can't live it for life - and I've seen too many do it, then once they go off of it, gain or stall out again. So I try and be more even keeled on a regular basis. When I'm trying to lose or detox my body (like now after eating all the holiday crap lol) this is pretty much what I do: Only eating higher fiber digestible carbs (onions, mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower - 99% of the time). No or VERY limited potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and other root vegetables - limited salad veggies - only low-carb high fiber ones. No pasta, not even the low-carb stuff. No fruit that can trigger cravings, no melons, bananas, oranges, apples, etc., and probably limited berries - VERY limited. Limited sugar-free pudding and such. No low-carb 'fake' things like tortillas, and breads. Simple, low-carb in its truest form. Grains limited to no more than 40 total carbs a day (some need to do way less than this, but it's fine for my body-type - I don't have PCOS, insulin resistence, bad thyroid, etc.). 3 sweet and light coffees a day max - unlimited black coffee, tea and crystal light. allowing 2 cans of Diet Pepsi a day. VERY limited sauces. VERY limited dairy - except cheese. So rarely some nsa yogurt. No milk. Limited processed lunchmeats and meats. Unlimited: Meat (in ALL it's unprocessed forms) Cheese (including cottage cheese - excepting cream cheese - that is limited) Jello (sugar-free of course) onions zucchini mushrooms seasonings, worchestershire, salt and pepper Eggs This may not work for you. I can't see why it wouldn't, if you keep your eye on the bottom calories for the day - but it might not lol.

Thanks so much, Tooter I started the plateau diet this morning and I already miss my veggies. Does not take long to eat the protein and then there is nothing left in my tiny little plate. I feel like I am being abused!! My hubby took out a bag of chips this afternoon and got me a glass of water. Now let me tell you, I thought for sure I was going to be on bread and water in prison from chocking him. Oh!!men!!!!! 35 years of marriage but that was a close one. Thanks again. You are always so helpful to me and such a sweetie for taking your time to answer me when you are so busy. Hugs, Betty

By the way, do you eat oatmeal during this time????? I will leave you alone now LOL Also flax seed ????

ok, gonna answer both your posts in this one First, you're most welcome! I help when I'm able. Wish I could more actually! Anyway, what you're saying about missing vegetables and nearly strangling hubby is exactly why I'm so anti-plateau buster diets. Eating shouldn't be a punishment. Geez, veggies are GOOD for you - granted eating only veggies, or eating too many - not good...but you should have more in your diet than just meat, cheese and eggs. Ya know? As to the oatmeal. I budget myself 40 grams of grain carbs a day. That includes bread, oats, etc. I don't eat oatmeal for breakfast because it sets me up to crave carbs all day long...but sometimes I'll have it for my last feeding of the evening - if I've got room in my carb bank for the day. I try hard not to exceed the 40 grams. And frankly, that's pretty generous - typical slice of whole wheat bread is 14 to 17 carbs...a regular packet of oatmeal is only 17 to 20 carbs. So yes, I allow it in 'my' diet. IF you eat it and find it triggers cravings, then you shouldn't. Oh and flaxseed I always take my 1 tablespoon a day - it's a supplement in my diet, so I don't count it anymore than I would the minute amount of sugar in my chewable vitamins Hope this helps! ~Toots

..it is funny how you said sno birds because when my parents first bought a condo in delray beach they would go shopping and the locals would say oh you are sno birds? and my parents at first didnt get it then they did..now my mother is gone and my dad remarried and lives down florida year round so i guess he aint a sno bird no more.. pain in the azz not a sno bird hopefully in 5 years i will be a tranplanted sno bird ..i hate cold weather since ive lost weight and i really can picture myself living in florida with gold lame and silver lame shoes ..capris, sunblock(SHUDDER THE THOUGHT OF THAT) pedicures and nice warm weather..ill take hurricanes over northeasters anyday.. glad to see your smiling face here hugs from the tundra joann