Hello from the Big Apple!
Oh, hey, I’m on a boat!
Why does it feel like I was just here? Oh yeah, because I was. I’m back in the city to get in on some Fashion Week action, and I can’t help but laugh at the irony of it all: I spent 4 years in NYC avoiding Fashion Week, basically for fear that I wasn’t “cosmopolitan” enough to hang around this scene. Now, I’m living in a country world in the Hudson Valley, and I’m back in the big city rocking stilettos and mixing with the “beautiful people.”
This should be interesting.
Anyway, as promised today I’m going to share with you the recipe for those delectable fat free apple cider muffins that I made for my mother’s birthday.
But, first, a quick picture from last night. I arrived in time just to celebrate the birth one of my favorite guys in the entire world: Michelle’s husband, Rory.
Happy Birthday Rory!
He makes her one very happy woman and treats me like an extension of his family, and I don’t think it would be possible to dislike Rory. He’s a fun-loving guy with a great Irish accent who is always up for stopping into a pub for some conversation over Guiness. Last night, we toasted to Rory on a boat as we watched the sun set over the Hudson River. It was indescribably beautiful, and these are the times when I remember why, at one point, I truly did heart NYC.
Prettier than a postcard!!
I also enjoyed catching up with some old city friends over cocktails and, of course, cupcakes.
No celebration is complete without mini cupcakes!
Three guesses as to who brought these to the party. It’s really not a party without cupcakes, my friends. And, that’s a fact!
I need to scoot my little stilettos off to the fashion show, but first, here’s the recipe for Mama H’s Apple Cider Muffins, just in time for apple-picking season!
- 2 cups flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 egg (or ¼ cup egg substitute)
- 1 - 2 tbsp cinnamon
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup apple butter
- 1 Chobani apple yogurt
- 1/3 cup apple cider
- 2 apples, cored and chopped (I used Fuji)
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Core apples and chop into small pieces. Set aside.
- In large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
- In another bowl, whisk egg, brown sugar, vanilla extract, apple butter, apple cider and Chobani together. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until mostly mixed (a few lumps are fine).
- Fold in chopped apples gently.
- Spray a muffin pan with cooking spray, and fill each muffin spot about ¾ full.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes and cool for a few minutes.
Everything from this kitchen is indeed: “Made with Love”
Bake ‘em now or keep this recipe in your back pocket for when you go apple picking!
And speaking of apples, as you may know, Rosh Hashana, the start of the Jewish New Year was yesterday. The BF and I celebrated on Wednesday with a spin on the tradition of apples n’ honey for a sweet new year.
To a sweet new year!
Baked Apples with Honey AND Ice Cream
Now, that’s how you start off a new year!
PS – It’s kind of cool that we get to have two new years. Two chances to start over? Sure, why not?!
Before I strut my stuff in Fashion Week, I just wanted to mention a very cool fitness challenge from one of my favorite bloggers, Blonde Ponytail. She just had a baby and is working on getting herself back into tiptop shape (though she looks amazing!). Anyway, the challenge is simple: 100 Squats, 100 Push-Ups, 100 Sit-Ups for 21 days (the time it takes to start a good habit). Focus on form!
I completed day 2 of my 100’s during a track workout on the Lower East Side today.
It’s a beautiful day for a challenge!
With a couple of extra glasses of vino last night, my form wasn’t exactly perfect, but hey, it still counts! If you like the idea of this challenge, get involved!
And, I’m off to mingle with some fashionistas. Wish me luck!
Those muffins sound seriously fabulous, especially with apples being SO good right now!
Yes, just drove by a couple of apple orchards and apparently, apple picking season is underway. This is the perfect recipe 🙂
I love the idea of that challenge! It would be easy to do in my office at lunch!
It’s been great for me, and you really can split it up throughout the day.
Mmm those muffins look really tasty, and so many apple products in it- love it!
It’s apple mania!
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