Hello friends!!! My, it feels amazing to be back on here! I missed you! Before I get to the topic of the day (crazy delicious, super healthy, big time pregnancy craving muffins!) I have to quickly say that the outpouring of sweetness from you all after my last post was so lovely that I know it helped pull me out of my funk (for real!). I think there’s just something about confession- getting those icky emotions out in the open and letting the light of day take away their power- that feels so darned amazing. I got home from the beach ready to get my space cleaned and organized for baby, got my hospital bag packed, my birth playlist created, and hopped on my computer to start tackling crafty business to-do’s that had been haunting me all summer.
Was already on that incredible up-swing, and then low and behold, God went and solved our housing situation just a week later, lifting my emotional burden immeasurably, and clearing my head so that I can fully focus, wholeheartedly, on the impending birth (any day now!). We are officially under contract, and as soon as I’ve had some time to heal and recoup, to move into our new (and by new I mean nearly 150 years old!) farmhouse on a gorgeous plot of country land! Huge trees, fresh air, room to run, an old rickety barn that will be so perfect for quilty photography, and even a pair of resident peacocks! It’s a dream come true, and all in God’s perfect timing!! Thank you for your words of encouragement and support, right when I needed them! XO
SO…muffins. Glorious, moist, flavor-filled muffins. Yes!
So I’ve been gathering all of my birth bag stuff…making lists and checking them twice…for everything I want to make sure I remember to pack. Favorite essential oils, comfy robe, nursing pillow, some special little pjs for the new Miss…and I remembered how nice it would be to have some favorite yummy snacks at the ready during those late night feedings, when inevitably I’ll be ravishingly hungry and the hospital vending machine is NOT going to cut it. Hmmmm. Then I remembered my favorite go-to healthy (but utterly delicious and satisfying) treat- Banana Oatmeal Muffins. SO. STINKING. YUMMY. And I think the fact that they’re really quite healthy, makes them even sweeter (no guilt!).
So I decided to whip up a big double batch today, and freeze a bunch of them. They’ll be perfect to tuck in my bag on the way out the door, and also for a nourishing, crave-worthy snack in those days after we bring baby home.
These muffins aren’t at all dense or dry like many healthy muffins out there- but they are hearty. Hearty and moist, and, if you want them to be, full of delectable texture from the walnuts and chocolate chips. I’ll be honest- I go crazy on the add-ins because I like a really them chunky. I like chocolate and walnut in every bite. It’s really tough to overdo it, at least for my tastes.
And I’ll tell you what- using oatmeal instead of flour- GAME-CHANGER. Seriously. I’ll admit, I had my doubts, but now I’m officially a believer. It yields a really fabulous texture. Not crumbly, or really “airy” like a cake, but just super moist and a little chewy (in the best way).
This recipe is one I’ve adapted from Erin Clarke’s Banana Oatmeal Muffins. After a dozen or so times of making it, I’ve found I keep tweaking it to fit my tastes, and have really come up with a version that’s just right for my family. Someone asked for my recipe on Instagram recently, so I decided I should just go ahead and share it here on the blog.
Quick note- I make these in my 14 cup food processor, and it fits perfectly- a nice big batch with enough to snack on for a couple of days, plus a bunch to freeze for quick easy breakfasts and snacks. If you don’t have a big food processor though, or you just want to make a smaller batch, go ahead and half it. You can use a blender if you don’t have a food processor (in which case you’ll definitely need to half it), but you definitely will need one or the other to blend the oats smooth.
Anyway, these are what I’m craving right now! Hope you enjoy them! What’s your favorite go-to crave-worthy food?
XO
Banana Nut Oatmeal Muffins
These moist banana muffins are full of wonderful texture, and make a satisfying, nourishing breakfast or snack. They're packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins, are gluten-free, and don't contain any oil or butter. But you'd never guess how healthy they are! Makes enough for a large family, with extras to freeze. Half the quantities if you don't have a large food processor, or just want a smaller batch.
Ingredients
- 4 ripe bananas
- 4 cups old fashioned oatmeal uncooked
- 2 cups plain Greek yogurt
- 4 eggs
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 3 tsp baking power
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup shelled walnuts
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease two standard 12-cup muffin tins with cooking spray and set aside.
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In a large food processor, combine all ingredients except for the walnuts and chocolate chips. Blend to nearly smooth. Add walnuts and pulse once or twice (skip the pulses if your walnuts are already chopped). Remove the lid and mix in the chocolate chips by hand.
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Fill muffin tins to full (not half or three quarters), then add a couple of extra chocolate chips to the tops of each cup. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Muffins should be feel springy to the touch and appear just barely starting to brown.
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Allow tins to cool for 5 minutes, then remove muffins and continue cooling on a cooling rack. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and serve warm or room temperature. To freeze, tightly wrap individual muffins in plastic wrap, then seal in a freezer bags.
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Recipe adapted from Well Plated.
God truly DOES work in wondrous ways! ♥
Hi Amy!
I’m glad to see that you have found your home. It looks lovely! Thanks for the recipe. Enjoy those precious moments with your family. Take care.
This is such a joyous and uplifting post ❣️💕💓❤️
I am so happy for all of you.
It has been a long summer and I am so pleased to know that you
have a new place of your own to move in to, and property
to frolic!
Best wishes on your birthing. God bless all of you.
Love the recipe and I am going to print it. I love muffins
I was so excited to see you had a new post. I am happy for you and your family: for a wonderful home for you to move into and make your own, spaces for the children to explore and have adventures, for a fabulous place to home school, for quilty creativeness, to have extended family around and for the new baby that will soon be adding voice and love to the family. God has blessed you and will continue to bless you in the days ahead.
Thanks for sharing the recipe. This looks so scrumptious! Chocolate and banana together, oh ya!
Thank you for the recipe, it looks delicious. I’ll try this when the weather cools off.
Congratulations on your new 150 year old home!! How fabulous. It sounds like a little piece of heaven. I wish you and your family all the best in your new digs.
Amy, I am so happy to read your “happy” blog. God is so good and knows what you need at the perfect time. I am praying for you and your sweet family. Anxious to see a picture of your family with the new addition. Your new home sounds perfect. I was born and grew up in Virginia. I love the state. Hugs to you all.
Wow! That house sounds amazing!!! God is constantly having to remind me that His timing is better than mine. It’s not an easy lesson for me! I also think I have everything but the walnuts for this and I wonder how my kids would like them. I may have to give it a try later today.
The tone of your post today sounds so much different. I’m so glad you’ve given yourself permission just to let your blog be what you want. I’m excited to read whenever and whatever you post!
Dear Amy — wanted to reply to your last post, but I’m in the middle of moving myself, but I’ve been praying for you all week — prayers answered!!! I’ve missed your posts, but you should know that I’ve been sleeping under your triple barnstar quilt and think about you everyday. So even when you are not posting to your wonderful blog, you are still inspiring us. Can’t wait to meet your new baby girl!
Amy…it sounds like things are definitely looking up! Turning to God and just handing our lives over is the.hardest.thing.to.do, but He always takes control. It may not seem like it or it may not be in our timing, but it’s always a display of His greatness. I’m excited to see pictures of your new baby girl, your “new”house in transition to making it fill your family’s wants and needs, and all the smiles it will bring…we haven’t seen those in awhile! God Bless….
Amy! Congratulations on your new happiness and healing. God hears our smallest voice, and always has our best in mind. I’m so glad you turned to him with your very real concerns. I am a slow learner, but have finally allowed God to take charge of my life. What a load off! He’s so much better at it than I am! May many blessings continue to shower you and your precious family! Enjoy your wonderful new home, and your precious new daughter! Thanks for sharing your yummy recipe!! Happy birthing and home making! God bless all of you! : )
Wonderful news!! Thanks so much for the yummy muffin recipe. I’m going to have to try those. I am so relieved that things are looking up for your family…in time to grow it even larger. Please take care of yourself and don’t fret your blog. Of course, when you are ready, we would all love to hear how things are going. In the meantime, slow and steady and this is your time to just be a mama bird in your nest for awhile.
Hooray for all of you on all of the wonderful things that have, or about to have, happened to come your way!!!
I am excited about the arrival of your little girl! Best wishes for a perfect birth!!
Amy so great to hear from you. Looking forward to seeing pictures of the new baby and home. God is so good! The muffins look great, but bananas never stay around here long enough to be really ripe.
Hey, Girl so glad to see an update and thanks for the recipe. My family is Gluten free so this looks like one we could do. Me and the hubs are medical and the poor kiddo is just by living with us. I love the house story as well. Same thing happened with us. How many acres did yall end up with? I love country living so glad to get the blessing of living the way we do. Hoping for a quick and pleasant birth as possible for you and waiting for those new baby pics.
Best wishes to you. I’m a wanna be quilter and love reading your blog. I admire your willingness to be vulnerable and show your “imperfectness”. I made the muffins and ooohhh they are SO good and good for us too! I think I might add a pinch of salt next time.
It’s so good to know that everything worked out for you. I hope by now the baby is there, and all is wonderful, and well with you. It’s a whole new creative undertaking to be a mother, the most important work you’ll ever do. =)
I have just “found” you on Craftsy and YouTube and now your website. I have only read a few blogs and wish you well in all things. I trust the birth was gorgeous and you and your family are settling into your new old home. I look forward to your return to blogging and videos but I can not figure out how you did all that with 4 children…… You are amazing and I love your teaching style, so real and natural.
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