Healthy Gingerbread Muffins and the World's Best Mom

I was blessed to be born to an amazing mother.  I am the fifth of nine children.  Although my mom was from a large family she had to work and learn about how to be the kind of mom she wanted to be.  She read books, talked to friends and prayed.  She decided she didn't want to spank her kids.  So, when she lost her temper and one of us received a spanking she would spend some quiet time in her room.  She would think through the situation and pray asking God to help her find a better way.... He blessed her and she did.  I don't have many heroes- because I don't use that term lightly- but my mom is my hero.

If I was to write a tiny portion of all that she is and all that she has done to help me this would be an endless post.  So, I'll just move on to one other tiny tribute.

My mom tried to feed us in a healthy way.  To her that meant using whole grains.  So, I thought of her when I made these gingerbread muffins.  They are actually quite healthy and pretty good.  I hope you enjoy them.  The original recipe was found here.  I tweaked it and came up with the following:

Gingerbread Muffins

1 1/4 c. Whole Wheat Flour
1/4 c. wheat germ
1/4 c. nonfat powdered milk
1 t. ground ginger
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. ground nutmeg
1/4 t. ground cloves
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder

1/4 c. buttermilk
6 T. unsweetened applesauce
1/4 c. molasses
3 T. agave nectar
1 T. canola oil
1 egg

Pre-heat oven to 190 C (350 F).  Use liners to in a 12 cup muffin tin.  Mix the dry ingredients together.  Mix the wet ingredients in a separate bowl.  Mix dry and wet mixtures together just until moist.  Use all the batter to fill your muffin cups.  Bake for about 15-20 min. Remove from pan and enjoy. 

If you are not used to healthy recipes you may notice these are low in salt, sugar and fat.  I still like them- especially with a spoonful of unsweetened applesauce on each half.