Last Updated on July 4, 2024 by Lisa Keys
Do you love baked goods that lean in on the healthy side? Well these Whole Grain Easter Muffins are for you. Filled with dried fruit, sweet carrots, coconut and a touch of spice these muffins are great way to start the day. But before we eat here is some food for thought.
How many children do you have?
It's a common question and one that bereaved parents fear. How many children do you have? Pretty normal conversation in most social situations, but no easy answer if you are the one who has lost a child. When someone asks, "how many children do you have?" how do you respond? How does one communicate about the loss of a child? What and how much information does one share and with who? Do I tell my story or strip it down?
Early in my grief the answer, "I have two" wasn't easy.
With time the tough questions get easier to handle. I am prepared and comfortable with the answer, "I have a daughter and a son". If I don't want to share anything more I quickly change the topic. It works for me. How do you answer the tough question?
When it comes to baking I always have a lot of questions. Baking is a science after all. For instance, what the heck is white whole wheat flour? I have been baking with it for years, but never gave it much thought until creating this whole grain Easter muffins recipe. Is it really whole grain flour or a refined mix of some kind?
What is White Whole Wheat Flour
Turns out it is a whole grain flour made from white wheat as opposed to red wheat. It is simply lighter in color, milder in flavor and softer in texture. All of the good nutrition that one comes to expect from whole grains is in there. None of it has been stripped away.
Fruitful Whole Grain Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup white whole wheat flour
- 1 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- ¾ cup flax seed meal
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup chopped dried apples
- ½ cup golden raisins or chopped apricots
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
Instructions
- Heat oven 350F. Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners.
- In large bowl, whisk flours, coconut sugar, flax seed meal, coconut, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt, until blended.
- Toss in carrots, apples and raisins or apricots.
- In another bowl, whisk milk, eggs and coconut extract; add to dry ingredients and mix just until dry ingredients are moistened. Don't over mix.
- Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups (about ⅔ full).
- Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Krista
Somehow your posts always seem so timely. I never realized how often the number of children I have came up in casual conversation until Aidan died. Even at the checkout counter, casual banter over a purchase can come back to family. I always say three.
Last night our home was the picture spot for my daughter's semi formal. Although much of our community knows about Aidan, I think some of the boy's parents may not have known that it was actually "us" that had experienced this tragedy. One mom looked at a beautiful photo the lacrosse community gave us and exclaimed "you have a lacrosse player!" I simply answered "yes I do" because I always will.
Lisa
Love your response and similar thoughts on the subject. Yes, I never realized how much we all talk about our children just about every where we go.
Fran Matino Homicki
I lost our son after carrying him for 9mos. He died 6 days after birth. Till this day, when people ask how many children I have - I get chocked up. No one really knows how it hurts. They can't even imagine!
Lisa
Fran, I am so sorry. I had no idea you had lost your son. You validate the idea that the pain never gets old---you feel it like the day it happened. Your child is always a part of you and when they die it is like losing a piece of yourself. ((HUGS))
Barb
I'm behind on commenting but wanted to echo what others have said. Your replies are perfect and you can choose to share that you have a son and daughter or add details as you are comfortable. When I am asked, my normal response is "I have a daughter XXX, who is (age) and a son XXX, who would be (age) but was killed when he was 18." I always say my sons age now and when he died. I think each of us has to do it in our own way and we can change it depending on the circumstances. I appreciate the things you write about!
Lisa
Thanks, Barb for sharing your story with me and my readers. I think it is so very important for all to share our unique ideas and thoughts and bond together. It makes me feel stronger to know I am not the only one trying to figure these things out.