Magical Blueberry Muffins

Magical Blueberry Muffins became magical the day my oldest son actually ate one (he is a self-proclaimed blueberry hater). He knows there are blueberries in these muffins and yet he still eats them. Miracle or magic - you be the judge!

I just love summer especially for all the delicious fruits and veggies to chose from. We got lucky with purchasing some really delicious fresh blueberries and inspired me to make muffins. But, the great thing about this recipe is that frozen works equally as well for when fresh blueberries aren't readily available (or cost you $6 bucks for the teeniest tiniest container).

MAGICAL BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

INGREDIENTS:
3 tsp baking powder
2 cups all purpose flour (Can do 1 cup white flour and 1 cup whole wheat flour)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter softened
1 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup of blueberries either fresh or frozen (if using frozen do not thaw)
Toppings:
2 tabl brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt. In another mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar, eggs, milk and vanilla. Stir in the dry ingredients with the wet until moistened. Gently fold in either fresh or frozen blueberries. Fill lined muffin cups 2/3 full. Combine the brown sugar and ground nutmeg and sprinkle over the muffins. Bake in oven at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes. This makes 1 dozen muffins.

Caffeine Makes Me Sparkle

SPARKLY ICED COFFEE LATTE

The Wizard LOVES her coffee. In fact, caffeine makes me sparkle. I come to life and seem to get so much done when I have indulged myself in iced coffees from Starbucks. There are two problems with this - first they really do add up not only in cost but also in calories and the second is that the Monkeys are usually always with me and two of the three beg for hot cocoa or chocolate milk and my few moments of bliss at Starbucks turns into aggravation. Can anyone relate to this? So the Wizard worked her magic in her kitchen and came up with her own version of an Iced Coffee Latte. It is definitely more cost effective - not sure about the calories though so drink occasionally.

This recipe is for 8 servings so you could easily cut it down for one serving, but why not make it and keep it in fridge for the week (practice self control).

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup instant coffee granules (I like Starbucks Via but any brand will do)
1/2 cup  boiling water
4 cups of milk (lowfat or nonfat)
several squirts of Nestle Nesquick Chocolate Syrup (squirt to your liking)
2 cups cold water
1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
Ice cubes

In a large mug or bowl, dissolve coffee in boiling water. Stir in the cold water and condensed milk. Next add in milk and squirts of chocolate syrup. Serve over ice. Enjoy and watch yourself sparkle!

Wizardly Fantastic Oatmeal Cookies (Or, Did I Just Gain a Few Pounds?)

As a kid I always had the BEST summers. My Dad, who would never take a sick day in his life would finally take a two week vacation usually in July which would coincide with his birthday. We didn't really ever go on lavish vacations or traveled to far away places but we would always do fun things that would create lasting memories, like spend entire days at the beach or traveling in a motor home for great camping adventures. There was the time we decided to drive to the Mammoth Mountains in our station wagon and I insisted on bringing all of my cabbage patch dolls (this dates me), which of course angered the passenger next to me (my sister) because it took up so much room. There was another time when my dad and I were playing frisbee on the beach (something I still lack talent for) and my toss landed the frisbee on the head of a rather mean sun bather. She came over to us and continued to rant about how much her head hurt. And then there was Mexico, when my mom thought someone had broken into the house we were renting and took my dad's wallet. We tore the house apart looking for it only to realize she had hidden the above mentioned wallet in his shoe. She was fearing burglars the moment we arrived and had forgotten she had the need to hide his wallet, let alone put it in his shoe. Silly that these are the things you remember so many years later but they were moments in time that stood out from the rest. We were happy and for two weeks carefree.

Part of my Dad's birthday celebration would require his girls (my mom, sister and me) making him his most cherished thing in the world.....Oatmeal Cookies. They are not healthy, sugar free or low fat...but they are made with love and nothing but delicious! Since we are in the midst of summer, I of course think of my dad and the great memories he gave us and his oatmeal cookies.  So in honor of him, the Monkeys and this Wizard made a batch to enjoy all to ourselves! (I will not be stepping on the scales for several days!) Enjoy and make these for someone you love!

WIZARDLY FANTASTIC OATMEAL COOKIES
INGREDIENTS:

2 cups old fashioned oatmeal
1 cup of shortening, melted after measured (the thought of this disgusts me but the cookies are so good I overlook it)
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 cup raisins
(I am not sure why I did this, but I put nutmeg in the picture and it isn't an ingredient)

Melt shortening and pour over oatmeal in a large bowl. In another bowl, cream sugar, eggs, milk and vanilla together. Combine the oatmeal with the creamed sugar mixture and stir well. Add sifted dry ingredients slowly. (Truthfully, I skip this part. I don't sift for these cookies. I throw it in the bowl with oatmeal and shortening, stir and call it good) Once well combined, add nuts and raisins.

Drop by tablespoons on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. These are not super soft cookies - little more on the dense side but they are really good and your house will smell divine from the cloves baking in the oven. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.