My “mama brain” has already switched on. I find myself more alert, more cautious. I’m driving slower down the interstate, and I’m making sure I get in at least four servings of both vegetables and fruit every single day. If I’m already feeling this protective over our little girl, I can’t imagine the feelings I’ll have on the first day I hold her. Motherhood is a mysterious and powerful journey, and just as my body is growing and stretching, I feel my soul expanding too.
Earlier this week, my friend and I shared a pot of coffee. This lovely woman also has a young daughter (born just this past Fall) and I’ve found comfort in having a friend who has walked a little further down the road of parenthood. When she welcomed me into her home, we immediately found ourselves in the kitchen. Shortly after pouring me a small cup of coffee (yes, I do drink and eat caffeine on occasion), she began making a batch of muffins. My kind of girl.
Being pregnant, I quickly latch on to new foods that satisfy my never-ending cravings. And I found that these muffins were a perfect pregnancy food. Moist and wholesome. Sweetened only by honey and full of oats and nuts. I didn’t feel guilty when I had another muffin a few hours later…and then another later that night. Sadly, I had only brought two home with me, so I knew I’d have to make my own batch as soon as I could.
I didn’t have my friend’s recipe in front of me, but I remembered the basic ingredients and decided to experiment. What resulted was a muffin full of most everything in my kitchen: ripe bananas, blueberries, toasted almonds, wheat bran, rolled oats, eggs, maple syrup, and butter. In other words, all the goodness of breakfast baked into a compact and domed muffin.
Ryan and I are tossing around the idea of giving birth at a birth center in Denver. We’re weary of the hospital (for many reasons I won’t list here) and we want to have as natural and peaceful of a childbirth as possible. I’d love to hear your thoughts on birthing. Did you or someone you know have a good experience at a hospital? A birthing center? At home? There are so many choices available to us today (which can be both a blessing and a curse…especially if you’re indecisive like me!)
Everything but the Kitchen Sink Muffins
1 cup wheat bran
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup thinly sliced almonds
1 cup frozen blueberries
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1/3 cup maple syrup of honey
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter melted
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon almond extract
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease with butter or oil a standard muffin pan. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together wheat bran, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Fold in almonds and frozen blueberries.
In a smaller bowl, whisk together bananas, maple syrup, eggs, butter, milk, and almond extract. Gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, mixing only until combined.
Divide batter evenly into muffins tins (they will be quite full) and bake in preheated oven f0r 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool for five to ten minutes in pan before gently removing with a knife to a wire rack.
Lovely muffins! What a happy combination.
Cheers,
Rosa
Those muffins look so delicious and I particularly like their name (so full of goodness).
As for birthing…well I had 3 in the hospital. We have a hospital dedicated just to women, and their needs. I had a wonderful experience each and every time.
My advice would be to visit each of your possibilities. Ask questions, look around, and make sure you are comfortable with whatever place you choose.
It has to be right for you and you have to feel comfortable when you walk in the door…because who wants ADDED stress on the day of birth (that is a trying enough day).
Look forward to whatever decision you make 🙂
I’m looking forward to trying these muffins very soon! I have a 5 year old son and 14 month old daughter, so recipes for healthy treats are always wanted in my home.
Both of my children were born in the same hospital I was born in. I never had any problems with it and my baby stayed in my room (as it was encouraged by the hospital) with my husband and I. The nursery was available, but wasn’t necessary. Definitely check out all your options though. Birthing centers allow you to return home ASAP, where as we stayed for two days at the hospital. Best wishes with everything!
These muffins look so comforting and delicious, Monet, and I love that you added so little sugar. Thanks for sharing more insights from your pregnancy journey. Always a delight to read!
I remember that feeling of protectiveness coming on during my pregnancy as well. And yep, you’re right– it only gets stronger after the baby is in your arms! 🙂
These look so tasty and hearty!
Monet,
I love your wonderful muffins. It’s always fun to make something with the odds and ends your pantry, and be surprised with the outcome. In this case you got such yummy muffins.
I had my daughter in a birthing center. I was able to do it naturally in a tub. I really wanted to have a water birth and there is only one hospital in my area that offers that. So, that made my idea really easy. I had a great experience in a birthing center.
Your muffins look and sound delicious. I always need a healthy muffin recipe. A treat and comfort without any guilt.
These muffins sound fantastic, Monet. Have a blessed weekend and enjoy all the baby preparations!
These muffins look like they would be full of flavour. I would recommend as little intervention as possible and go with the birthing centre. I would only go the hospital road if you have complications like premature labour, high blood pressure, baby in dud position (breech, posterior etc). Try for a natural birth if that’s what you want and if it starts to go wrong, I’m sure medical assistance wouldn’t be to far away. I had three births in a hospital but all were drug-free natural deliveries and I’m so pleased I did it that way. I hope this helps xx
LOVE THEM! I have been craving a muffin and these are just the ticket Monet, They look outstanding.
I have always been a fan of having bran in my muffins.
Your muffins look wonderful! I’d be tempted to eat them all too.
I did have both of my daughters in the hospital, and overall it was a good experience. Because there were medical complications with my first (nothing major, just something that needed to be looked after right away), I was happy that I’d made that decision. But I totally understand your desire not to give birth in a hospital.
These muffins look beautiful! I always love to see a muffin pumped full of fruit and nuts and whole grains. Such a perfect snack, or even a breakfast. 🙂
We will be making these muffins this week! Thanks!
Are you looking at Mountain Midwifery Center in Englewood? I was with a couple this month who had a lovely birth there and enjoyed having a “home”like setting and being surrounded by midwives and nurses who believed in the natural process of birth.
Personally, my husband and I had a great experience in a hospital with a midwife, but I think if a hospital makes you more weary than safe (if their interventions and technologies feel more like an invasion than a safety net) perhaps a birth center or home birth would be a better fit for you.
Good luck with your search!
These muffins look so delicious! I think I might try them soon, when the baby naps 🙂 I had my baby in the hospital because there are no birthing centres here and I have read (since baby was born December 31st) there are no registered midwives in my province to assist with home births. It was not something I really thought of, since four of our daughter’s six cousins were born in the same hospital, so we knew it was a good place to go. I had a wonderful experience, but we have a very up to date and welcoming hospital. Congratulations on your pregnancy; the time will fly by, my baby was 8 weeks old Monday and I really do not know where the time has gone! It feels like just yesterday I found out I was expecting, when really it was almost a year ago!
Oh these muffins look amazing!!!
I love love love blueberry muffins and like it that this is a healthier recipe!
These muffins are lovely and full of healthy ingredients! Enjoy these moments dear Monet. I know that you are looking forward to cuddle your baby (of course!) but there is something MAGIC in being pregnant and having this unique connection with your child.
I like muffins a lot… these look good and very quick to make… and then you get to use everything you have at home.
Have a nice weekend!
Ciao.
These muffins looks like absolute perfection! and such a brilliant way to get some extra healthy food into you disguised as a treat! sounds like you’ve got a brilliant friend there!
Oh yes – these would do the trick and then some. And I too love when recipes are ‘naturally’ sweetened with honey:) Your blog is a treat every time I visit.
Those sound delicious. On Facebook you asked about Homebirth/Birth Center/Hospital, and let me say I would not trade my home births for anything. I would only go to a birthing center if it was my first and my husband was really uncomfortable birthing at home, but remember Midwives are so much more attentive than Doctors, she will know if there is any risk to you being at home. I cannot imagine having to leave my home to labor, or caring for a newborn away from my things, or having to pack up to go back home a few days later. In my opinion, the others are just not really an option. I would never go to a hospital except in case of a life threatening emergency. Hospitals are for sick people, not a place to have a happy good experience. So that’s my soap box two cents. I have just had such great experiences and seen a dozen friends have miserable hospital births. I don’t want that for anyone I care about.
Monet, thank you for another healthy, delicious recipe! I love trying some of your recipes and each one has been a favorite for my kids and friends!
Both of my kids were born in a hospital in the Springs. I am not comfortable in hospitals and have some phobia-type fears of doctors and procedures, but it was still important to us to be there. For Andy and I it was about our baby’s safety. I have known so many women who had something go wrong, such as the placenta tearing early on or having a narrow pelvis that the baby got stuck in, and if they had been at home they may have lost the baby or their own life. For us it was not so much a question of where I would feel most comfortable, as it was, can we live with ourselves if we didn’t do everything possible to keep both me and baby safe?
With that said, I hear great things about birthing centers, especially if you have a midwife who is willing to rush you to the hospital if she feels there is trauma of any kind.
Best wishes to you guys! You’re already a wonderful mother!
These muffins look great!!!
I had Danny in the Greeley hospital and I had a great experience. They took really good care of myself, Bob, and Danny and made sure I knew all my options. Due to some difficulties I ended up with a c-section and even the surgen was great and visited with me everyday while I was there.
Hanging out with Mommy friends while the kids play is one of my favorite things to do. Support each other and laugh a lot. I see many of those days in your future, and soon your little girl will be asking for a muffin too 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!
I love the name of these muffins! they look delicious. Have a wonderful weekend.
yum- these look so good! Have a great weekend 🙂
Your mama brain is apparently brilliant and has great taste!
Hi Monet, Congratulations to you and Ryan! How exciting that you wonderful people will be parents! I obviously have not had a child, but I’ll share my experience with home births for your reading pleasure. 🙂 My sister had her son at home almost 6 years ago, it was the most amazing experience I have ever had. She had a dula, a midwife, her husband, my mom and myself at the house while she was birthing. She had a tub available but ended up not using it. She was awesome, stronger than I could’ve ever imagined and her son was healthy. I know my sister especially appreciated her dula and all her wonderful advice regarding the after birth things (nursing especially). I will be thinking and praying for you, Ryan and baby, blessings, lindsay
I totally agree, it’s always nice to talk to a friend who already have experience down the pregnancy road. 🙂 These muffins look awesome. I know I’m craving for some now, pregnant or not. 😛 These are some good stuff to crave for. Have a wonderful weekend.
Such a great excuse to eat lots of yummy food 🙂 They look very delicious. Nothing better than warm muffins!
This muffins look absolutely wonderful! I love that they are wholesome in addition to being delicious!
Deciding where to labor is a seriously tough decision. I think for me, I’d want to be in a hospital, albeit one that is amenable to my all-natural tendencies. Just in case something went wrong, I’d want doctors very close by.
I would love to have a muffin like this for breakfast!
Tasty looking muffins! Thanks for sharing!
Hello!
I just thought I would pop by and say Hi and congrats on being a mommy-to-be! I love the look of the blog and those muffins are looking so yummy! Hope everything is going well!
Joyce
I haven’t had kids myself but my MIL swears by natural water births and had all her kids like this. She thought that the bright lights etc would be too shocking and I must admit, the kids are pretty chilled! I don’t know if their birth had anything to do with it though but she does 🙂
I love that you were able to experiment and come up with an amazing recipe based on something you tasted .. these look great and I love all the wholesome ingredients in them (a little butter never hurt anyone :)) I never knew there were so many decisions involved with childbirth – good luck, I’m sure you’ll make the right ones!
Hey Monet!
Just made muffins this evening-although they weren’t from this recipe, they were delish; nothing beats muffins 🙂
As for birthing….I highly recommend homebirth. Our little girl was born in a big tub in our bedroom after 8 hours of labor, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way! My husband and I had our doula, midwife, and her assistant present, and there was never a moment I doubted their knowledge or skills. It was calm and low stress and I’d do it again in a minute!
I know a gal who delivered at the Birthing Center up in Denver, and I seem to remember she liked the place. The distance was what turned me off of it-couldn’t imagine driving an hour and a half up there while in labor!
Best of luck in your [many!] upcoming decisions. Just educate yourself. I read dozens of books and articles during my pregnancy. Best decision I made!
Dear One: Those muffins look delicious. I’m happy you’ve found a “newish” mother to share with. I was fortunate to do the same when pregnant with our first child. We were also happily planning a “natural” birthing experience. However, it wasn’t to be. Our sweet son was in the transverse position and I ended up with a caesarian. It turned out just fine. Our second son was also a caesarian and that, too, was just fine. I do hope you get to give birth as you choose but want you to know that there are a number of ways to achieve that perfect outcome!!
Best,
Bonnie
I wish I could help you with birthing tips but teenage babies is not my forte 😉
Lovely looking muffins though, total appreciation!
Cheers
CCU
Monet, thanks so much for your stopping by and leaving your sweet comment so that I could find my way here. Those muffins sound so wonderful!! And, you are so very right… the journey of motherhood is more powerful than anything you could imagine. Savor the journey. It WILL stretch your soul to more love than you have ever known. blessings ~ tanna
Everything in these muffins look so great!
I would love to give birth in a birthing center, as I’d prefer the least interventions necessary (My family’s country of origin looks down about pain medicine, so I guess I’ve absorbed that cultural norm). But NYC has long lines for these places, so I ended up going with a hospital. Luckily, my OB is open to an active birth, and says I can deliver in whatever position I prefer, so hopefully my birth plan and realities will be closely linked!
Monet, the muffins are fabulous. I just got a cup of coffee and one of them would’ve been great with it.
That’s a big decision to make, where to have the baby. My son and DIL decided on a hospital that seemed more like “home.” The baby was in the room with her most of the time and she was very happy with the care they gave. Good luck in your decision!!!
Love muffins with rich ingredients like this! It has everything I like in a muffin, great combination! I will give birth at a hospital here just like many of my friends did here. Your doctor is more important than the place I guess.
Great looking muffins! Lovely recipe. Re hospital vs. birth center, I’d go with whatever you feel most comfortable with. There are pros and cons to both, I suppose, but whatever feels right to you probably is.
I just love this muffin combo, Monet. I would love a batch ready for breakfast tomorrow morning:)) I wouldn’t change the way I had my babies. My first ended up just barely needing to go to NICU. I wouldn’t have wanted to think of what would have happened if we weren’t at the hospital. I maybe dreamed of a homebirth for like 2 seconds after watching those TLC specials!;) You and Ryan have to do what you are comfortable with, but remember what also is safe for you and your baby:)send you hugs!
Ooooh look at these muffins! Totally perfect!
Hi Monet! 🙂 Your muffins, and the Challah bread, look heavenly. I wanted to tell you that having a home birth is amazing. My home birth experience with Catalina brought Matt and I so close together. Also, I cannot imagine being hooked up to wires or not being able to be in a bath of water. I have a friend who was able to have a natural birth in a hospital (meaning the MDs encouraged it and were patient as her body moved along… vs inducing, etc), but I also have a friend who is an L and D nurse who says that 100% of the doctors at her hospital do everything they can, essentially, to thwart natural births. If you choose a hospital route in CO Springs, try to find an MD with a positive history of allowing natural births, even better if he/she allows midwives to work alongside her.. Though Catalina was monitored every second during labor, she had a breathing problem when she was born, and the midwives were able to give her oxygen until the EMS arrived within 15 minutes. I believe wholeheartedly that her having to go to the hospital could not have been predicted (they think she aspirated blood upon exiting). At the NICU a medical professional actually commented to another, “so that is what having a natural birth looks like.” They couldnt believe I was so alert and awake. Its amazing how the pain just stops after the baby comes out. You think it’ll never ever stop. In any case, we may or may not :), be expecting our second child, and are deciding to go the home birth route again. If I lived far away from a hospital, I would not choose a midwife, but as we leave within miles.of a hospital, and I am healthy, we will go the home birth route again. I am nervous, but confident of my decision. It’s a very nice thing to feel comfortable when you are in labor, even as you are in a crazy primordial state.
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