ORANGE BRAN FLAX MUFFINS

I made some of my favorite muffins the other day and wanted to share with you. They are so healthy, you can freeze them, pop them in the microwave and they turn out great. Charli loves them and that makes me feel good.

Fresh oranges give these muffins great flavor!

1 1/2 c. oat bran

1c. flour

1c. ground flaxseed

1c. wheat bran

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2 oranges, quartered and seeded

1 c. brown sugar

1c. buttermilk

1/2 c. canola oil

2 eggs

1 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 c. golden raisins (optional)

*Preheat oven to 375 F. Line two 12 cup muffin pans with paper liners. In a large bowl, combine oat bran, flour, flaxseed, wheat bran, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

*In a blender or food processor, combine oranges, brown sugar, buttermilk, oil, eggs and baking soda. Blend well.

*Pour orange mixture into dry ingredients. Mix until well blended. Stir in raisins.

*Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes before removing to a cooling rack.

Makes 24 muffins.

Per muffin: 186 cal, 4 g pro, 30 g carb, 8 g fat, 1 g sat fat, 18 mg chol, 3 g fiber, 140 mg sodium, 4 g flaxseed

A note from the recipe: We know this muffin is higher in fat than we recommend. However nearly half the fat is alpha-linolenic acid-the plant version of omega-3, which is sorely missing in most diets. We think it's worth finding room for this muffin.