Spring-y Walks, Runs, & Muffins

Posted: March 15, 2011 at 6:57 pm

I love spring. Sometimes i can’t decide whether it or fall wins out as my favorite season of the year. I can’t wait to feel those warmer temperatures. The sense of a fresh start everywhere invigorates me. Getting back outdoors makes me smile. I think the only reason fall may stand as my favorite season is because of all the fun activities and traditions I love about fall. And pumpkin. Of course. Spring still holds a special place in my heart though and there are certainly signs of spring popping up all around here.

We went on a walk yesterday in beautiful 70 degree temperatures where many spring-like sights greeted us along the way.

flowerswalk2 greengrass flowerswalk1IMGP0141 tinawalk

I think Makenzie and Braedon enjoyed the flowers, green grass, blue skies, and lack of jackets as well. Or, I just find any reason to slip in some pictures of their cuteness. 😉

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Today, spring continued..but the nastier side of spring. The showers! We had quite a bit of rain up in here this morning. Thankfully, it cleared out before the afternoon. I was left with just some cloud cover and a slight bit of chill (50s) for my run this afternoon.

Now that I know I can easily cover 30 minutes of running, I’ve honestly kind of scrapped the C25K plan and just go with how I feel and keeping things steady with my runs. Today, I happily jogged along for just under 30 minutes and covered 3.13 miles for a 9:24 pace.

About 2 hours before my run, I fueled with a quick snack – a raspberry Chobani and a lemon raspberry muffin.

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These little suckers are d-to-the-e-to-the-l-i-c-i-o-u-s. I cooked some up on Sunday, which I healthified and adapted from this recipe. They’re so good, I have happily eaten one a day for a snack. Alongside things like Chobani and green monsters.

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And since I’m such a good friend and all, I will now share this recipe with you. Enjoy!

Springtime Lemon-Raspberry Muffins

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  • 1 lemon
  • 1/2 c sugar
  • 1/2 c Lemon Chobani Greek Yogurt (or plain if preferred)
  • 1/2 c Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze
  • 1/3 c Unsweetened Applesauce
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 c whole wheat pastry flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 c fresh raspberries

Preheat oven to 400. Using a vegetable peeler, peel the zest from a lemon in long strips.

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Add the peeled zest and 1/2 c sugar to a food processor. Pulse until the zest is chopped finely and blended into the sugar.

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Combine the wet ingredients – yogurt, almond milk, applesauce, egg, vanilla – with the lemon sugar mix in a medium bowl. Mix until combined.

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Mix the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt – in a large bowl.

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Make a well and pour the wet into the dry.

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Fold together until a thick batter forms. Add the raspberries and fold them in until spread evenly throughout the batter.

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Allow your helper to consume the leftover raspberries in 2 seconds flat.

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Distribute the batter evenly among a 12 muffin pan. Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes.

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Keep an eye on them. When the tops turn golden they are done. Take them out and allow them to cool. Then admire your handiwork.

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These came out better than I could have hoped. They were slightly chewy, moist, and full of flavor. They aren’t overly sweet and have the perfect amount of tang from the lemon. The bursts of raspberry throughout pull it all together for a very “spring-y” muffin.

lrmuffinsi

Now I can’t wait to try a blueberry version of these low-fat, healthy muffins. I hope you give them a try too!

Question of the Evening – What’s a flavor that always reminds you of spring?

 
84 Comments to “Spring-y Walks, Runs, & Muffins”
  1. The muffins look fabulous. I love the combination of raspberry & lemon – it’s so refreshing. I hope you have a great night, Tina! 🙂

  2. Love the bright colors of the muffins and the pictures from your scenic walk.

    I like that you included lemon Cho on this recipe. I have some right now.

    You have such cute little helpers in the kitchen. So adorable

  3. The muffins look delicious! Berries of any kind make me think of spring! I am so ready for the warm weather later this week. Today was a little too cold for me after what we had this weekend. Enjoy your evening Tina!

  4. jobo says:

    YUM I MUST try these. Could I use regular milk vs. soy as well? Would it change consistency much? Did you make this recipe yourself? very good looking!

    • Tina says:

      You could use regular. And I based it off a recipe I linked to above…but I adapted a few things to make it lighter – like the applesauce instead of oil, using lemon yogurt, etc.

  5. Marie says:

    Those muffins look delicious! Green onions always remind me of spring, we use to eat them straight out the ground as kids, don’t ask me why. The smell of pear trees is sooo spring to me!

    • Tina says:

      That’s funny because I know both Peter and I’m pretty sure Philip gripe about those pear trees for their smell. I like them too.

  6. YUM!!! I love this and am totally stealing it…give me lemon anything and it reminds me of spring!

  7. Orange!! Well kinda of — it’s like the lead in flavor to spring 😛

    PS. Love that BlogHer has Vera Bradley ads!!! Just saw it on your side 🙂

  8. That is an AWESOME way to incorporate some lemon chobani! I just had one for a snack this morning!

  9. Dorry says:

    These look great! I love springtime – the colorful flowers in bloom make me so happy. My allergies? Not so much, but that’s what Zyrtec is for. Mint reminds me of springtime, I think – like fresh mint in a mojito. 😉

  10. Oh man, I’m normally not that excited about muffins, but these sound amazing! Lemon yogurt and lemon zest? Yes!

  11. I love spring too – the sense of renewal and hope, and the happiness that come with it. I love knowing that winter is OVER and better times are ahead. 🙂

    Those muffins look awesome, I am a major muffin fan. My parents have a raspberry bush so last summer I made raspberry muffins all the time!

    Flavor that reminds me of spring…hmm…I think fresh vegetables in a risotto for some reason: peas, asparagus, etc. 🙂

  12. 1. I’m jealous your spring looks like my summer!!

    2. Those muffins look amazing:)

  13. What pretty pictures!

    Asparagus is one of my spring favorites!

  14. Lemon and raspberry are up there…more so for summer though for me.

    Hmm for Spring? That’s tough! All I can think of is fresh cut grass, haha

  15. jackie says:

    love your blog! you give me so much motivation. those muffins look soooo yummy.

  16. Kristina says:

    A recipe that can get me ready for spring?! Yes please!!!!

  17. Lori Lynn says:

    I love lilacs, but those sometimes come closer to summer. 🙂

  18. Lee says:

    Those muffins look good! I have all the ingredients too, well, besides the raspberries. Do you think they’d work with frozen cherries? I know that doesn’t exactly scream spring like fresh berries, but it’s what I have.

  19. Robyn says:

    I can’t believe you have blooming flowers and trees! We were so excited to have 45 degrees today. The snow is melting and coats are left behind.

    Your muffins look yummy. I want one!

    Spring flavors … first thing that comes to mind is asparagus and strawberries, but not mixed together. Ha!

  20. So jealous of your beautiful spring blossoms! Ours are still a long way off, unfortunately…

  21. Oh those muffins look so good!! I’ve never tried a lemon-flavored muffin, but now I’m craving one.

    We’re not that much into spring yet. 🙁 Can’t wait for the jacketless walks and spring flowers blooming everywhere!

  22. Karen says:

    Those muffins look amazing! Looks like you had a little helper in the kitchen too : )

  23. I’ve never baked with raspberries before, but it sure made the muffins look lovely!

  24. The flavor I crave the most when spring starts to peak its head is lemon. Add raspberries and I am sold – those muffins look outstanding 🙂

    • Tina says:

      They are so good! I’m all about lemon too. I think its because we always had lemony stuff on Easter as a family.

  25. Lauren says:

    70 & flowers? Lucky, I’m just celebrating it reaching 40 here. That feels like spring to me!

  26. The muffins are adorable!

    Flavors like strawberry, lemon, raspberry, etc all remind me of spring. Oh how I wish it was Spring already!!! So close.

  27. fresh berries totally remind me of spring! especially strawberries! 🙂

    your muffins look amazing! i love lemony baked goods, so i’m going to have to try these!

  28. Mmm I need a lemon raspberry muffin in my life. All berries really remind me of springtime, and it really can’t get here fast enough! Love the pics of the little ones- they are absolutely beautiful!

  29. Groff's Girl says:

    MUST MAKE THOSE RIGHT NOW!!!! Those look great!! Good job on your running! I abandon C25K, and can do the 5K, now I am starting their Ease Into 10K so I can turn it into interval/speed training in order to up my endurance!! Those spring pics are gorgeous, I hope we have some warm sunny days here SOON!!! 🙂

  30. Holly says:

    Yummm….and I LOVE the Lemon Chobani, too! I’ve never had raspberry and lemon together, but it sounds delicious. I am SO happy spring is approaching which means lots of fresh berries! Berries and fruity flavors always remind me of spring. 🙂

  31. Allie says:

    Love spring. Love walks. Love smoothies. Love muffins. Love your blog! 🙂 I haven’t tried Lemon Chobani .. sounds so good 😉

  32. Oh yum.. these muffins look so good! I love the idea of lemon and rasberry together..I can’t wait to try these out myself!! Thanks for sharing!

  33. Kara says:

    Great job on that run!!

    I can’t wait until my baby is old enough to “help” me in the kitchen 🙂

  34. Lindsey says:

    Such a pretty walk and I’m going to try these muffins this week! 🙂 And I just want to say that you look GREAT!

  35. Mandy says:

    Totally jealous of your weather!!!!

    And… now I really want a muffin.

  36. Anne Marie says:

    Loved your Fergie shoutout 🙂 Berries always remind me of spring. Hubby is a big fruit dessert fan, so it’s time to whip up fruit salads!!

  37. Genie says:

    Those flowers are SO PRETTY! And so are your babies, of course. 😉

    I need to order some WW pastry flour. I can’t find it around here, and there are so many recipes floating around that use it. I am a sucker for things with lemon zest. Your muffins look delish!

  38. Stacy says:

    Oh my goodness those muffins look so delicious. Wish I was snacking on one right now. 😉 And your running! A 9:24 pace, that’s so awesome!

  39. What beautiful photos! We’re getting rain here today, but it looks like the next few days will be sunny and warm!

  40. Emily says:

    mmm Spring! it’s so close here in DC. fruits and fresh mint make me think of spring.

  41. Over 3 miles in less than 30 minutes- you don’t need C25K! You can already run 🙂
    THose muffins look yummy!!

  42. I’m so jealous of the flowers! Spring makes me think of fresh basil for some reason 🙂

  43. Glad you’re doing so great with your running! And your little kitchen helper is too cute 🙂 I’m sure she helps make the muffins that much sweeter.

  44. LauraJayne says:

    Iced tea is so totally my “spring” flavor!

  45. I have to make those muffins! they look great!!

    Cherry blossoms blooming (and their smell) remind me of spring! I miss that smell as we don’t have them here in TX!

  46. Helen says:

    My sign of spring – MINT! I have some planted in my front bed, when I see it popping up I know spring is beginning with all it’s glorious sunshine and blooms.

  47. Heather says:

    Lemon and raspberry are so good together!
    I NEED to try the lemon flavored Chobani – I can’t seem to get my hands on it!
    Such cute pics of the kids – keep ’em comin. 🙂

  48. These sound so good!
    I love the picture of your little baking assistant. Too cute! 🙂

  49. Your muffins look great! Love the pics of your little babies – ADORBS! My favorite is probably zucchini – i only have it in the spring and i’ve been eating it SO MUCH lately!

  50. Lemon always reminds me of spring. I love lemon flavored sweet treats.

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