The Hunger Struck - Confessions of a Food Fanatic.

I pride myself on the fact that I never leave home without eating breakfast. While I’m not one of those people who sits down at the table with a newspaper, cup of coffee and a plate of fresh fruit after a reviving hour of yoga either, for me breakfast is simple and fast: a piece of toast with some almond butter and a cup of tea five minutes before I run out the door. Simple and healthy, two words that I would like to think describe my eating habits effectively.

You’ll often find me berating people close to me who say they have no time to eat in the mornings-especially my mother who rarely eats anything before noon-how easy it is and how much healthier they’ll be for doing it. At such times I always disclose my theory on how eating breakfast curbs your appetite throughout the day, making it easier to eat several small meals without overeating at any one. Funny how you can really start to believe the things you say! While all these things may be true for some, what I generally always leave out of these breakfast conversations, due to its obvious hypocrisy, is my other not so healthy habit: second breakfast.

At around 10am I always feel this strong desire for something sweet and I find that this craving can only be satisfied by one thing: a muffin. Is there really any other baked breakfast item that gives as much satisfaction? Ok, I do enjoy a scone here and there but for me the muffin and small coffee combination is not easy to beat. It really doesn’t help that I work down the street from a coffee shop that sells what I like to refer to as “the king of muffins”. This muffin, from here on referred to as the King, has an impressive size which demands immediate attention.  I almost feel bad for the others around it as it must be hard to get noticed amidst this kind of bravado. I actually find it quite arrogant, yet I can’t help but fall for its charm. Lets just say it involves chocolate chips and zucchini and crunchy exterior that protects the most beautiful large crumbed moist texture that there ever was, and leave it at that.

During the week you can find me doing my best waiting-patiently-face as I try not to stare in desperation at the long line of people ahead of me, all of whom could potentially be eyeing the last King available. I would be lying if I told you that on those occasions when I do come too late, I simply choose from one of the other remaining flavors, which I try my best to enjoy equally. No that’s not me. Instead I pout and silently curse the person who got there before me and essentially ruined my morning.

It was during one of these times, where I started to realize that this habit of mine was not doing any favors for either my diet or my metal health. I decided I needed to make some changes.

First, I needed to eliminate my dependence on this particular coffee shop and address my unwillingness to accept that there might be another muffin out there that is equally deserving and potentially not as hazardous to my health. I needed to find a somewhat healthier alternative that still possessed all of the qualities that make this muffin so great.

I knew I was going to have to do it myself. While under normal circumstances this would have been a welcome challenge, I have never had much success with muffins. I’ve made many many muffins in the past and they almost always turn out hard-even after letting the eggs and other cold ingredients come to room temperature AND being careful not to over mix.

I knew I wanted to tackle the bran muffin and so I started reading every recipe I could get my hands on. I must have gone through dozens, both online and in my recipe collection, before I came across this one from Canadian living that gave me hope when I first laid eyes on it. Buttermilk and molasses and applesauce combined would surely result in a moist muffin! Not to mention that there is only 1/4 cup of oil which also indicated that I would be on the right track to a healthier muffin addiction… should it turn out.

Well, I was right! This muffin turned out beautifully. It was soft, scented with the sweet flavor of molasses and apple. The kind of muffin that doesn’t even make you reach for the butter, but be aware it’s easy to eat the whole dozen in a matter of hours and if you are anything like me you will be lucky if they last for longer than 2 days.

Unfortunately, I was only able to keep myself away from my morning routine for a few days while I had these on hand. But at least now I know that there is an alternative. When I find myself in that line and out of luck again I will be thinking of these and knowing that there is a less arrogant and healthier alternative and while these may not initally appear as captivating, they certainly do posses their own unique charm.

Applesauce Bran Muffins – Recipe adapted from Canadian Living