Have you ever been caught working out in clothes far from workout duds or in odd places… like the tub ? Ted got me twice:  

1. I was downstairs in the gym (where one should be to workout) but it was later at night, boredom had hit as had curiosity about the Kenpo X DVD from the P90X program. I was ready for bed and only wearing a yellow tank top nighty,  not much else…if you know what I mean Winking smile. After watching a bit of the Kenpo DVD, I decided to put my pink sneakers on, give it a try,  and began kicking and punching as instructed.  It’s amazing how free you feel doing a bit of exercise with almost nothing on. Minutes later, Ted peaked around the corner to catch me kicking up my pink sneaker clad feet and throwing punches in my yellow nighty.   Who do you think was more surprised?!

2.  I was in the bathtub.  As I was rinsing the shampoo from my hair, I lifted my feet slightly and felt a good squeeze on my tummy. It dawned on me that I could actually do some crunches while rinsing my hair – Hey! a sneak workout!   In walks Ted.  “What are you doing? Are you doing crunches in the tub?”   CAUGHT AGAIN! DARN IT!

Some times I wonder why I can’t be happy simply sitting down and reading a good book,

running

or RELAXING in the tub … as if I didn’t expend enough energy with my morning run! It seems I may be suffering from “exercise obsession”.  AND… poor Ted!  He’s probably afraid of what he might see every time he comes into the gym.   

NEW YORK STATE APPLE MUFFINS

I bought 5 lbs of Gala apples.  The Gala apple is a variety developed in New Zealand.  It’s mild in flavor and perfect for picky apple eaters.  It’s sweet, juicy, crisp, with a yellow flesh.  They are small with a thin skin and available from September to January. 

The Gala is great for eating but since I had so many and no room in the fridge, I made a double batch of my favorite muffin.  This is a recipe created in North Syracuse, New York by elementary school kids. 

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Makes 1 dozen large muffins

Topping

  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp grated lemon peel
  • 2 TBS melted butter

Combine all the topping ingredient and set aside.

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Muffins

  • 2 cups flour
  • 3/4 cups brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2  tsp Apple Pie Spice
  • 4 cups coarsely chopped apples (peeled and cored)
  • 3 eggs, slightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
  • 4 ounces cream cheese cut into tiny cubes.
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 F.  Spray LARGE muffin tins with non-stick spray.

Combine the first six ingredients and set aside.

Mix the apples with the apples with the rest of the ingredients.

Combine the apple mixture with the dry ingredient and just stir until combined.

Spoon into the muffin trays.  Sprinkle on the topping.

Bake for about 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean.

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So much apple!  By far the best tasting muffin I’ve ever made.

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