What are you cooking for Thanksgiving?

I stopped by our local health food store last week to put in my order for a "real" turkey. While there, I enjoyed a sample of some yummy sweet potatoes made with marmalade. Since then, I've had an insatiable craving for all things orange-y. So, this evening for a festive and seasonal treat, I made some Orange Cranberry Muffins. Do you want to try them?

2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 Sucanat (Rapadura or other non-refined sweetener)
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup "real" milk
1/2 cup orange marmalade (You can buy the kind sweetened with fruit juice.)
1/2 cup melted butter
1 farm fresh egg
1 cup chopped cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Mix the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter, milk, egg and marmalade. Mix the dry and wet ingredients together. If you were making this according to the recipe, you would fold in the cranberries and walnuts, spoon into muffin cups and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. My husband happens to not like cranberries. So, I divided the batter into two parts and put mini-chocolate chips in one part and the cranberries in the other. The Orange Cranberry Muffins are like a comfort-food. However, the Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins were a surprising hit. I don't know which one we liked best. You could make both. Have the Chocolate Chip ones for a dessert and the Orange Cranberry ones for breakfast!

Note on Whole Wheat: If you are just now considering making the switch to whole wheat, let me say a few things. First, it is worth it for your family's health! Second, I know that white flour habits die hard. Third, it is worth it for your family's health! Fourth, try making the adjustment by degrees. First use 25% whole wheat until your family gets used to it. Then, step it up to 50/50. Here's the final thing though: when you do make the switch to 100% whole wheat, keep in mind that the store bought whole wheat tastes a lot heavier than fresh ground. Once you get your family eating 50/50 0r even 75/25, consider buying a grain mill. Your family will enjoy the lighter flavor. (Wanna hear more about Grain Mills? Comment to let me know!)

Note on other ingredients: This world is crazy with debate about which foods are good for us. I hesitate to use any new-fangled food like butter or sugar substitutes. I use three principles from the book What the Bible Says About Healthy Living. This is my rough paraphrase: Eat what God made. Eat it as close to how He made it as possible. Eat everything in moderation. (Have specific questions about why I use certain ingredients? Comment to ask them!)