Isn't that muffin gorgeous! I like to drown her in some sugar free syrup when I eat them.
I wanted to let folks know who wanted the recipe for these babies since they got a LOT of notice a couple of posts ago. I re-did the cal count on these because I hadn't in a while and of course we've tweaked with the recipe over the years.
My version is 226 cals/muffin especially because I like BIG MUFFINS and make 16 per batch! LOL. But, at 18 muffins they're about 200. That being said, since I'm sure some of you are Costco shoppers - any cal count on these is monumentally less.
If some of you are wondering why I don't just go full sugar on my baked goods rather than use a sugar alternative? Especially, since I'm actually trying to keep calories UP just to maintain - Rest assured, it's a teeth and gum thing. This last time after the the third cake (which, was a lovely carrot cake) I could tell it was impacting my gums. They were starting to get red, inflamed, and with a little abscess in a spot I haven't had an abscess in for years!
In fact, I'll tell ya folk it's the primary reason when I did my athletic challenges in 2023 (and that includes the half ironman) - I put the bulk of my carbs in starchy fibrous stuff like veggies, potatoes, sweet potatoes, dates, or even cup of noodle soup, which was perfect for training runs in both the carbs and salt. And, yes I did have to make sure I hit well planned bathroom stops during my long runs. But, my teeth were great!
If you're wondering why my teeth are so sensitive. Keep in my mind - I'm on an immuno-modulatory drug for Multiple sclerosis that has already taken out 60% of my white blood cells. I don't have as many bacteria fighting soldiers as some and that includes for my little mouth.
So, yes the cakes "would" be the easiest way to keep cals up and feed training sessions, but they need to be kept to a minimum.
That being stated, my mother (always trying to find a work around) invested in some "smallish" cake pans from King Arthur baking company which has a recipe to make small cakes for 1-2 people and they include lower cal "easy to do" frosting to put on it. And, yes I can indeed use the baking sugar alternative in the recipe for both cake and frosting. It hasn't arrived yet, but I'm excited!
Oh, and if some are wondering how the heck I'm burning this many calories in a day? Care-taking tasks aside, keep in my mind just one of my bike sessions can burn up to 1200 cals in a 75 minute period. It varies of course depending on the program I use that day or the rpms I've set.
And, then there are cardio AND strength training days. I do pull back on the cardio when strength training is included in the mix, but I don't go any less than 23-25 mph. That's fast - it's not by any means the fastest, but I don't burn any less that 500 cals even when I do a 40 minute session and then roll into strength and weights.
Couple all this with care-taking tasks and my cal burns always range between 2200-2800 cals in a day. My metabolism is pretty much at the lowest end it can be so it's doubtful I'll get any less in weight than wear I am at. It's about the 15%-16% body fat range where women's body's will do everything they can not to let go of any fat. This actually works to my advantage as long as I continue to get in on average about 2400/day. I don't need lose any more nor am I trying and of course y'all know I love my muscle to much to sacrifice it! This body and I are just leveling out so we can find a healthy but functional space to be for the time being.
Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys a blessed day! Happy Friday :-)
