Can you believe Christmas is about a week away? Our house is decorated and the boys have made their wish lists. I decided to make some yummy healthy treats and my boys love muffins! I wasn’t sure if they would go for gingerbread muffins but they love them!

This muffin batter is more like dough when you divide it out into your muffin papers. Thick and sticky from the molasses. They also bake up nice and dense. I love that they have hints of cinnamon, ginger, and molasses with just a touch of chocolate. They are not overly sweet but serve to feed a craving for a Christmas treat.

If you don’t have pumpkin spice just substitute a teaspoon of cinnamon and a 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg. I used pumpkin spice because I had it on hand and was easier than measuring out more spices.

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

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Happy National Doughnut Day! When I saw today was National Doughnut Day I knew I needed to cross off pumpkin doughnuts off of my recipe list for the month!

These moist little baked nuggets are good for you and good tasting! They are only 17 calories each with 1 gram of protein in each doughnut!

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

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Pumpkins are in the store and canned pumpkin is on the shelves and on sale. And of course I had to grab up a few cans of this wonderful tasty, healthy ingredient!

I also grabbed my muffin tins that I used for my Mini Monster Eye Meatballs that I received from Handi Foil! I used the little paper cups that came with the muffin tin and I was able to cook all the muffins at one time.

This muffin is not a super sweet muffin. I wanted something that was warm and pumpkiny, but not with the tons of sugar you get in most muffins. I didn’t even add sugar to the cream cheese! I wanted that tangy contrast with the muffin.

If you would prefer a sweeter treat double the sugar and add sugar to the cream cheese to make it more like a frosting.

These lovely little treats have less than 80 calories each and will warm you on these chilly fall days that are coming our way. I hope you enjoy!!

This post was sponsored by Handi Foil, all opinions are my own.

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

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A coworker brought me some giant zucchini, the one in the picture is the smaller of the two I got. I was thrilled because I knew that would mean I could make my Skinny Zucchini Muffins!

Do you have some run away zucchini’s that you didn’t get picked in time? Don’t worry this recipe is a great way to use them.

I usually make a few batches and freeze the extras. Just pop them into a freezer bag and throw them in the freezer. I keep meaning to be super organized and have one big baking day each month and then make a bag for each week to pull out. But life gets busy and I love spending the weekends with my family.

This recipe makes about 18 muffins which makes these little beauties only 83 calories each. A perfect healthy little snack. This is also the only way I’m able to get my boys to eat anything green!

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

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I went into Bath and Body with a gift certificate wanting to buy some silicone cup cake pans, but alas they don’t sell them in the store. I looked around and I found donut pans! My boys have been going over to the store every weekend getting donuts. I knew I could come up with a healthier option!

To make baked goods healthier I like to make them with at least 1/2 whole wheat flour and if I can add protein powder. That way you get more fiber, more nutrients and more protein.

This is my base recipe so expect to see some fun combinations to come in the future.

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

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A great go to snack or quick breakfast for our family is muffins. I’ve shared some of my favorite muffins in the past. But as we are trying to eat healthier I haven’t been baking as much. I’ve been wanting to try and figure out a few muffins that will be healthier options for my boys.

I wanted something with more protein and less sugar. Then I thought about how adding sausage would be a great way to get protein and a great breakfast is pancakes and sausage.

I had some light syrup in the pantry that I could use as the sugar for the muffins. A great way to cut the calories.

Then I remembered you could replace oil in the recipe with greek yogurt, which means even more protein and less calories.

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

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Last year I was making some banana bread but once I had everything made up I realized I had no bread pan. (FYI,this is a very me thing to do.) So I looked through my pans and found a muffin tin and that was the beginning of my muffin madness.

I now try and keep muffins in the house at all times. I have tried dozens of recipes and even have come up with some of my own. If you are a regular reader you may have seen some of my muffin baking. Today I’m going to share with you my 5 top favorite recipes at Food.com.

• Put the Lime in the Coconut – Best muffins ever!! I use Real Lime packets and it makes them amazing!
• Berry Smash Muffins (Strawberry Muffins) – Hubby’s Favorites!
• Easy Banana Muffins – Must have to use up your old bananas!
• Erna’s Apple Pie Muffins – These are yummy, though I cut the sugar back and didn’t put the topping on because I’m trying to cut back on sugar for the boys. Still yummy!
• Oatmeal Walnut Muffins – These were so moist and yummy and they are fun to make with the instant flavored oatmeal too!

Have you tried making muffins? Have a recipe you want to share?

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

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For my Cookie Swap this Sunday I have made two kinds of cookies. But because I have so much to do for the party and Christmas I decided to make simple and quick cookies. So both cookies I am making are no-bake.

The first cookie I made was a Girl Scout Mint Cookie Copycat. They are quick and easy and yummy! I made these with semi-sweet chocolate and white chocolate. I love the white chocolate.

The second cookie I made was Orange Coconut Balls. I made these because I wanted to have something different. And I thought that the orange flavor of these cookies would be a great change.

Girl Scout Mint Cookie Copycat

• Chocolate (I used chips but I’ve heard bark is the best)
• Peppermint Extract
• Ritz Crackers

1. Heat the chocolate in the microwave. My bag instructed to heat 1 minute on high.
2. Add a few drops of Peppermint Extract
3. Stir and heat 30 seconds more.
4. Dip crackers one by one
5. Place chocolate covered crackers on parchment paper or wax paper
6. Place in fridge and chill overnight

Orange Coconut Balls

• 1 box (12oz) Vanilla Wafers, crushed
• 6 oz Orange Juice Concentrate (undiluted)
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 7 oz sweetened coconut flakes

1. Mix everything but the coconut.
2. Roll into bite size balls
3. Roll in coconut
4. Place in fridge till firm or overnight

Recipe originally found on Recipezaar. These are a very sweet cookie, I’m thinking about trying them with only 4 oz of orange juice next time.

If you would like to find some more Christmas dessert recipes please visit Life as Mom. What’s your favorite Christmas dessert?

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

I have finally decided what I am going to do for neighbor gifts. Every year I try to make our neighbors a gift, I also make a few extra for just in case. This year I am going to be making Cookie Dough Log Rolls. I’ve seen them in a few different craft places, but this is my favorite at Make and Takes simple yet elegant.

I know for sure that I am going to be making my favorite Super EasyPeanut Butter Cookie Recipe.

• 1 Cup Peanut Butter
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1 Egg

1. Mix all ingredients together

I will be including these directions on a tag I will create with my scrapbooking supplies:

1. Slice dough or create teaspoon sized balls
2. With a fork make a cross pattern
3. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes

I will probably make sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies and maybe a shortbread also. I think I will tie a few logs together for the gift. I am going to start making cookie dough tomorrow and wrap them up and freeze them till ready to wrap up and give away.

Do you make homemade gifts for Christmas? What kind of gifts have you made? Do you have any recipes for edible gifts?

See more edible gifts at Cents to Get Debt Free.

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

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