Maria's Power Muffins

Maria's Power Muffins
Yields 8 muffins (2 servings)

3/4 Cup oatmeal (dry)
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
OR 1 T lemon juice, 1/4 t nugmeg and 2 T poppyseeds
1/2 Cup Spoonable Splenda
2 Scoops Protein Powder *
6 egg whites
1/2 tsp. butter extract (optional) OR other extracts like strawberry, almond
1/2 cup ff cottage cheese OR 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese (some say this helps with sticking
in the pan, but will add calories and fat)
1/3 cup NATURAL applesauce OR 2 medium zucchini (will lower your carbs and calorie for nutritional value)OR 1/3 cup canned pumpkin (about equal in nutritional value of applesauce)


In a blender or food processor, mill all dry ingredients (first 6 ingredients) until it looks like flour. Pour the dry ingredients into a separate mixing bowl. Use the blender/food processor to blend cottage cheese until creamy. Then add the egg whites, apple sauce and butter extract to the blender and blend until mixed. (Do NOT blend too long once you add the eggs as you do NOT want air in the egg whites or you muffins will "deflate" after cooking.) Pour blended liquid on top of dry mixture and stir just until blended. Pour into muffin tin. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.