So, last night I was reading the newspaper. Turned to our Local Section....
BAM!
Wow....Front page news....It was voted on. Our district CLOSED a school in our district.
Now, I'm sure we're not the only district to do this....BUT
ok....so I work in Brevard County....the district in which Kennedy Space Center is....or rather was. (well, it still is there, but not in all it's glory like it once was...you know...it's missing that little thing called the SPACE SHUTTLE part to it now???)
one of my PD days was there - it was actually a really cool inservice! |
we went to the last shuttle launch...that's A saying "PLANE!!" pointing to the shuttle |
Since our space shuttle program closed and HUNDREDS (maybe thousands if I remember correctly...though not all around here) of jobs were lost, we knew our county (as a whole) was going to take a big hit economically....
We knew that our schools were going to take a hit too, with everyone having to move to find work...They only closed one school, and it was in the north of our district...where KSC is (I am in the WAY south of our disctrict - we have a really LONNNNG district). Their student count in the north of the district is slowly dwindling, which I'm sure is because of the closing of the space shuttle program.
I just wonder if anymore are going to have to close :(
If you want to read the article, click on the pic below.
Ok, sorry...Now onto my recipe...
Carrot and Zucchini Muffins
These muffins are SOOOOOO yummy!!! The name sounds gross, but I promise you, they won't last.
I do a lot of "sneaky" recipes. Mainly for hubby (shhhh!! lol) and baby girl, but of course it's an added bonus for me too. I'll share more of my "sneaky" recipes as time goes on.
I saw this on Giada's show on the Food Network, but I tweaked it a little bit.
First, you gather your ingredients.....
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup grapeseed oil (you could use canola or vegetable oil....grapeseed oil is a little more healthier with more vitamins and such, so I use it when I make my healthy recipes :)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup (make sure it's REAL maple syrup, not the fake "flavored" kind...or you can use agave...this is the "sugar" you are adding to the mix.
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup grated carrots (from1 medium peeled carrot)
- 1/2 cup grated zucchini (from 1 medium unpeeled zucchini)
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional...hubby only like raisins in dessert type stuff, so I usually only do half a batch with raisins in it)
Then you gather all your helpers...
See? Told you B was always around! lol |
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 24 mini-muffin cups (they say this helps the muffins stay moist better. I didn't have any mini-muffin liners, so I did it without...
In a medium bowl, sieve together the flours, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the oil, syrup, and egg. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Mix in the grated carrot, grated zucchini, and raisins.
Even after I grated them, I still measured them out...I'm a horrible estimator, so with baking, I tend to measure everything (cooking? not so much...but baking is such an exact science)
1 cup of carrot and zucchini combined |
Scoop into the muffin pan using a small scooper, or you can use 2 small spoons (it's a pretty sticky batter, so you'll need the help of the other spoon)
Bake for about 15 minutes
Do you see the batter stealer in the picture?? lol |
And VOILA!!
I think this was Autumn's 3rd or 4th muffin..lol. She LOVED them!!
Then, I have a question to ask of y'all. Do any of you have a big dog?? Our poor Pete, he doesn't get any toys - he destroys them in like 30 seconds so it's a waste of our money. And he doesn't like the Kong stuff or anything made of the Kong material...nor does he like those SUPER hard bones that sound like they will crack your tile when you drop it. lol And each year for Christmas he gets one of those GINORMOUS dog bones...
yeah...that's gone in like 2 or 3 days. lol
Soooo....our poor dog has taken to stealing my husband's soccer balls....lol. Now, Pete KNOWS not to chew on things that aren't his...but for some reason...soccer balls?? Well, I lie - it's also basketballs...lol. But you know? They aren't cheap either - and they're gone in 30 seconds after he gets a hold of it too...We feel so bad for the poor dog, that we just let him have it - anyone know of any toys??
18 comments
Recipe looks awesome - zucchini bread is our FAVE! So sorry about the school closing . . . what are the powers that be thinking these days? Seems SO bleak . . . we HAVE to stay positive that the pendulum will swing back in a positive and favorable direction!!!
Sending smiles from TX,
Barbara
That muffin looks awesome! I can tell Autumn really loved them (cute messy face!). And don't you just love that measurer? I have one too!
Journey of a Substitute Teacher
bully sticks and elk antlers are great for 'chewers'! Our dogs love them!! try bestbullysticks.com those are the cheapest we have found, and we get the elk antlers on ebay.....the split ones are the best!
Ann Marie
Aw, poor Pete. Hopefully Anne-Marie's suggestion will work.
Barbara
Grade ONEderful
barbara - we can only pray!!
Miss T - yes!! I have TONS of PC stuff..lol
Ann Marie - thanks! I'll check it out :)
They look delicious!!!! You're so crafty that I <3 how it's rubbed off on me! :) Miss you bunches Jen!!! Looking forward to hearing ideas on the dog toys!!!
That is so sad that a school had to close! I know many people were affect by the KSC...I live in Orlando. It makes me so upset to hear how it has affect the entire county. I wish they would have kept it going! I love watching the shuttle launches and have been to a couple at KSC.
Rambling About Reading
I am a bowl licker too! :)(That doesn't sound so good). The picture of your daughter is awesome. I need to try the muffin recipe. I gave you an award so please come check it out. :)
Jessica
Apples and Papers
1. Puh-lease keep posting "sneaky" recipes! I need it for myself since I'm such a picky eater :)
2. A couple of years ago our district closed a middle school. Partially because of a low population, but mainly because it was a failing school...
3. I unfortunately have no recommendations for large dogs! Sorry!
Bonnie
Living A Wonderful Life
Have you tried Tuffie's Toys? They have different levels of toughness up to tiger strength I think. My parents dog was a chewer and she loved the octopus. Took her a long time but he is now a 7 legged octopus.
http://www.tuffietoys.com/
Rowdy in First Grade
Also, they are a little expensive, but they really do last and they are totally worth the money.
Rowdy in First Grade
So sad about the school! Our district closed three schools last year, and my school grafted in about 100 students from one of the ones that closed. Lots of adapting.
Love your recipe. Your blog name is so appropriate:-)
Laurie
Chickadee Jubilee
Recipe looks yummy! That is so sad about one of your schools! Will those teachers be out of jobs for next year?? That would make me a little nervous!
YIkes about the school closing. Wow. So sad.
Yummy recipe. You're killing me.
Same exact problem with my dog. Bully sticks work best - I think they last for almost 30 WHOLE MINUTES!!! (they're disgusting. They're bull's testicles. I know!)
A Teeny Tiny Teacher
My dog loves soccer balls as well and has acquired three of her very own. She also loves plastic soda/water bottles. For your puppy it might take the 2 liter ones. There are toys out there that are made of tougher canvas that you put the bottle into and they can play - they are tough to chew through and they love the feel/sound of the crunching of the plastic bottles.
Hi! I can't wait to try your muffin recipe! They sound so yummy! As for toys for the doggy..I go to our Goodwill store and buy their cheap stuffed toys..and yes our 2 darling dogs pull the stuffing out of them and we have stuffingless (is this a word even?) critters laying on the basement floor but they sure have fun! Make sure they have nothing that the dog could get hurt by swallowing such as buttons etc..It is easy clean up. We had one critter last for several long months.
I know this is really old, but I just found this recipe on pinterest. The muffins are great! Also, we have a pit bull who destroys every toy we've ever gotten her. I found these awesome toys and she can't get through them! Plus they're dishwasher safe, which is awesome because my toddler prefers to play with the dog toys over his own! I'm a consultant with Celadon Road (an organic, eco-friendly company) and we sell these dog toys and more!
http://www.myceladonroad.com/shop/productdetail.aspx?prod=035-060
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