Healthy Blueberry Bran Muffins {and a Giveaway!}

Quite a lot happened this past weekend. It was Earth Day. I had an opera rehearsal. I saw a Broadway play. I ran a race in a pink tutu and pink, fuzzy devil horns.

What? I did! Need proof?

See?!

I was holding a baton because I was part of a relay team. Since we had to wake up early to get to the start, I decided to make muffins the day before so we could eat breakfast in the car. I found a healthy blueberry muffin recipe and adjusted it to make it even healthier! They were so good! All the runners who ate one loved it.

And now ladies and gentlemen, *drum roll* it's time for my first ever giveaway on this blog! Due to knowing some cool runners, I got a free life factory water bottle.

I've been using metal water bottles for the last 4 years and was very happy to get a spiffy glass one. This bottle is super cheerful and easy to grip. Also, the larger opening makes it easier to clean. (Not to mention that having a glass bottle means I can SEE that it's clean inside.) The bottle, sleeve, and cap are all dishwasher safe. I also love that it has ounce measurements on the side. So far I've drank 80 ounces of water today and it's only the afternoon. (I drink a LOT of water.)

Now you have the chance to win one of these great bottles! In honor of Earth Day (it WAS a busy weekend...), I'm giving away one of these bottles.

To enter, go to lifefactory.com and figure out if you'd like a flip cap or a classic cap bottle and what color you love the best out of the options. Then write a comment in the comment form below with your choices (flip vs classic and which color you'd want.) Also, leave a way to contact you in the comment form if you don't have a blog profile and are leaving a comment as anonymous (email or twitter name only).

The prized bottle will be the 22oz version. Drawing will happen on Tuesday, May 1.

This giveaway is open from April 25th through midnight EDT on April 30th. You must be 18 years old to enter and live in the United States.

Please see official rules HERE. 

CONTEST CLOSED: The winner was #9, Nansi, who wants the classic cap in orange. Congratulations!

Healthy Blueberry Bran Muffins

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup oat bran
1/4 cup quick cooking oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup blueberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 banana, mashed
3/4 cup almond milk
1 egg
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 12 cup muffin pan, or line with paper muffin cups.

2.In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, oat bran, quick-cooking oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Gently stir in the blueberries, and walnuts. In a separate bowl, mix together the mashed banana, almond milk, egg, oil, and vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and mix just until blended. Spoon into muffin cups, filling all the way to the top.

3.Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the tops of the muffins spring back when lightly touched. Or test by inserting a toothpick. If it comes out clean, the muffins are ready to be taken out of the oven.

Bake well and prosper!

Fresh Blueberry Pie

As promised, the recipe for the blueberry pie that I showed in my post yesterday. But first, fireworkrk pictures!

This year I watched the Macy's fireworks show from NJ. This view has the backdrop of Manhattan and was lovely!

I love this shot because it shows the crowds of people in the green park below.

With FOUR fireworks barges, the sky really lit up!

Yay for celebrating America's birthday!

Fresh Blueberry Pie (adapted from all allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

1 prepared 8 inch pastry shell, baked and cooled (click here for no fail pie crust recipe)

2 pints fresh blueberries

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup white sugar

Directions
1. Pour one pint of the blueberries into the baked pie shell. (Make sure to rinse the blueberries thoroughly before adding to pie.) (Pie shell should be relatively cool.)
2. Combine flour, butter, lemon juice and sugar in a pan over low heat.. Mix thoroughly until butter is almost completely melted. Add the remaining pint of blueberries and bring just to a boil over medium heat. Berries might begin to pop open.

3. Pour cooked berries over fresh berries. Chill pie and serve chilled or at room temperature with whipped cream.

Bake well and prosper!

Happy Fourth of July, Y'all!

Happy Fourth of July! Question: What's red, white, and blue?

Well, yes. Blueberries in a red colander with a white table.

 But I was thinking more patriotic...

Ah! There we go. The American flag!

The fourth of July is my favorite holiday and I made a blueberry pie. 

Isn't it pretty with the red, white, and blue? I will share the recipe tomorrow. As for now, I'M dressed in my red, white, and blue outfit and I have parties to get to and fireworks to watch.

 Bake well and prosper!

God Bless America!