The summer is in full swing and there are lots of outdoor activities that can help you tone up and lose weight.  I have been having weight loss success mowing lawns.  It’s a great form of exercise.   My husband has a lawn service and I help him cut grass and trim trees.

 I am building the muscles in my arms and legs using the push mower (I’m scared of the riders) and the tree/bush trimmer.   As the season progresses, I am able to push the mower  at a faster pace and I’m not so exhausted when I’m done.  I also don’t need to take as many breaks as I did when we first started cutting lawns this summer.  The trimmers use to feel so heavy when I first started using them.  I don’t notice the weight now when I use them. 

I’m getting a great tan, losing weight, toning muscles while providing a service for people as well as  earning  extra money.  It’s a win-win situation. 

       So many diet desserts taste flat or like cardboard.  This low fat sugar free recipe tastes like the real deal.  I think if you did the blind fold test between these low calorie muffins (142 Calories) and the high fat, high calories (usually 500-600 Calories) muffins you buy at your local bakery, you won’t  be able to tell the difference.  This is a flexible recipe and you can substitute all kinds of fruit.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Cup      Quick-cook oatmeal                      
• 1/2 tsp   Allspice
• 1 Cup      Fat-free skim milk
• 1 Cup     Splenda
• 1/2 Cup   White flour
• 4            Egg whites 
• 1/2 Cup   Whole wheat flour
• 1 Cup     Mashed bananas
• 1/2 Cup   Ground flax OR whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp      Vanilla extract  
• 1 tsp        Baking soda
• 1/2 Cup  Fat-free sour cream
• 1 tsp        Baking powder                               
• 1/2 Cup Unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 tsp    Ground cinnamon                          
• 1 Cup     Blueberries (drained)
• 1/2 tsp    Ground cloves                                
• 1 Lge      Apple 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350F and line muffin tins (12 muffins)
2. Soak oatmeal in skim milk for 20 minutes
3. After the 20 minutes, add splenda, egg whites, bananas, applesauce, vanilla and sour cream.  Mix well.
4. In a different bowl, mix all the dry ingredients well. (flours, flax seed, baking soda, baking powder, spices)
5. Slowly mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients.  Mix well.
6. Fold in berries or apple (You can subistitute any other friut)
7. Fill the 12 muffins cups equally.  It doesn’t expand so will not overflow out of the cup.  Bake until a toothpick can be stuck in the middle of a muffin and it comes out  clean.  (About 15-20 min)

Although I’m the only one losing weight in this household, everyone likes these muffins.  I’m sure they will be a hit in your home too.  Finally a great diet muffin!!!!!!!!!!!!!