The Holiday Mighty Muffin
(Almighty Muffin)
My two sisters, Mary Lou and Mary Ann (yes, really) are amazing bakers. I think it is something that they got from our Mom, Marie, who was an incredible baker, herself. I have never been interested in baking, and even at best, it has never been my thing.
As a plant-strong vegan, baking is the most remote thing on my radar. But, I do have to get into the mood and act as though I am embracing the holidays. When I listen to my friends talk about Christmas prep, I hear a forgein language. The talk about things like spritz, and roll, and reindeer food. Just not for me. But, I do make one fun thing that has been a staple for a few years. And, guess what? People actually like them! They have become my newest gift for friends (you either get my Holiday Mighty Muffins or a handmade pair of earrings, if I really like you, you get both!).
Invest in a few silicone muffin pans. I have them in shapes of flowers, snowflakes and trees. The finished product looks beautiful. In my family of origin, we always made cookie trays adorned with fruit and candy. My version of a cookie tray isn't quite as fancy as Grandma Montaruli's, but I do my plant-strong best.
You can find the recipe for the Mighty Muffin at www.Engine2diet.com. Take that recipe and make it your own! Add dried fruit, grain sweetned vegan chocolate chips...the world is your muffin.
Christmas doesn't have to be a time of the year for a food freakout...freakout in the sense of either eating too much, OR in that of "What am I going to do to stay plant-strong?" Make some muffins, and you will be fine. Get some pretty tins, and you will have some beautiful gifts!
Wishing you a Plant-Strong Christmas and every good Plant-Strong Wish for a Healthy 2013.
As we say in Philly, "Yo, Yo, Yo..."
