A RECIPE FOR 'HEALTH BRAN SQUARE TOASTIES'

MANY PEOPLE LOVE MUFFINS; ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING AS THEIR BREAKFAST WITH A PORTION OF FRUIT.  THEY DO NOT REALIZE THAT THEY  MAY BE AS HIGH AS 1,000 CALORIES EACH AND EATING THEM ON A DAILY BASIS CAN EASILY CAUSE WEIGHT GAINS.

.One tiny 1- ounce muffin (2 small bites) is about 100 calories

. A very large 9- ounce muffin is about 900 to 1,000 calories

. A 3 ounce muffin (usually found in the supermarket) is between 210 and 320 calories.

                                         HEALTH BRAN SQUARE TOASTIES

11/2  cups skim milk

11/4  all bran cereal

1       cup unsweetened applesauce

1       cup white flour

1       cup whole wheat flour

1/2    teaspoon cinnamon

2       teaspoons baking powder

1/4    teaspoon salt

1/3    cup sugar

1/2    cup raisins, plumped*

1/2    teaspoon vanilla

2       eggs, well beaten
                                              THE QUICK PREPARATION VERSION

To plump the raisins, place them in a small bowl and pour boiling water over them.  Leave for 5 minutes and drain.To save time; put all of the ingredients except the raisins into a food processor.  Mix briefly and fold in the raisins.

Cover a 10X15 inch jelly roll pan with spray coated heavy foil.  Spread mixture evenly and bake at 400 degrees about  20 minutes or until a toothpick tests dry.  Cool for about 6 minutes and cut into 16 rectangles.

Serves 16, about 120 calories per serving.  

Hint:  Slice, wrap, and store the toasties in your refrigerator for as long as 3 weeks.  For a better taste, toast them before serving.  They may also be frozen.

                                          THE LONG PREPARATION VERSION

Combine milk, bran, eggs, plumped raisins, vanilla and applesauce in a small bowl.   Mix remaining ingredients  with a large sized spoon in a big bowl. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.; add the first six items at once.  Stir only until particles are moist..Follow directions above for spreading mixture on foil covered pan.