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!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When we fix meals it’s often hard to figure out the calories, carbs, or proteins in a serving. This can play havoc on any weight loss program you are following.

Like most women, I have more cookbooks than I care to count. Most of them never leave the bookcase. I have found it is much easier to look up a recipe online. So whether I’m looking for a low calorie, low carb or high protein recipe…it’s easy to find.

I enjoy the Betty Crocker recipe site. It is a computer friendly site making it easy to find recipes for a specific item or requirement such as low fat or low calorie. The recipes directions are easy to follow and use basic ingredients. You can rate each recipe as well as read and give a review. Each has a picture of what the finished product should look like.

How about a Chinese Pork and Pasta recipe? The recipe is for a serving of 6 with a calorie content of 255 per serving.

Another appetizing recipe is Skillet Beef & Vegetable Stew. It is a recipe for 6 servings and only takes 25 minutes to make. It has a surprisingly low calorie content of 175 per serving.

These are just a few of the low calorie recipes at the Betty Crocker site. No matter what kind of weight loss program or diet you are on, you will find something at this site that can fit your needs.

When the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays roll around, pumpkin desserts are always a favorite in our household. I wanted to share this easy recipe. It is only 85 calories (2 points)and it makes 10 servings.

EASY PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE PUDDING

Ingredients:
1. 8 oz fat free cream cheese (softened)
2. 8 oz fat free cool whip
3. 8 oz fat free sour cream
4. 3/4 C. Splenda
5. 1 tsp. lemon juice

6. 1 can pumpkin puree
7. sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice (flavor to your liking)

8. 2 pkgs of the 100 calorie Honey Maid Thin Crisps (crushed finely)

Directions:
* Mix ingredients 1-5.
* Next add 6 & 7.
* Pour into approx. 10 dessert cups (ex: muffin tins)
* Top with final ingredient #8.
* Chill in the refrigerator until firm (couple of hours)

Easy and delicious and low calories…can’t ask for anything better.