Hearts are everywhere in February. They are especially prevalent in the first half leading up to Valentine’s Day. You see them everywhere. Cards, gifts, clothes, food, and even text messages are filled with them. However the most important ones are on the inside. Those precious heartbeats need to keep going. To have a strong and healthy heart is a goal one should not put aside. It is with that thought in mind that I made Pear Bran Muffins.
February is American Heart Month. It is a time of awareness and action. Even taking small steps and making a few changes can be very beneficial. I know this because I have high blood pressure. It is in my best interest to keep the pressure within normal range and not put a strain on my heart. How to do that? Well, first read on for my story.
Several years ago I knew something was off. They say high blood pressure is a silent killer because it doesn’t have obvious signs. I could feel it. I took a reading and my BP was high. So I researched on what to do. It starts with heart healthy eating and exercise. I went all out. My salt intake was reduced to a bare minimum. I checked sodium levels on labels, cooked according to the suggested guidelines, and bumped up my exercise routine. What was the result after several months? My blood pressure went up. Yep, exactly the opposite of what should happen.
The next step was a visit to the doctor. Something had to be done. My pressure was so high they almost didn’t let me leave the office. After a lengthy conversation with my doctor, he said my condition was hereditary. The only thing left was to start taking medication. It worked beautifully. My pressure is in normal range now. I do have to admit though that I’d rather eat healthy food like Pear Bran Muffins instead of taking a daily pill. Oh and please do not let my story discourage you from eating heart healthy meals. I’m in a small minority.
How are the Pear Bran Muffins? Healthy and tasty too. They are made with cholesterol lowering wheat bran, whole wheat flour, and olive oil. Applesauce and pear brings sweetness and fruitiness to the mix. Healthy spices of cinnamon and ginger gives them warm and comforting flavors. Fiber will keep you satisfied for hours. There’s even a touch of citrus with orange zest sprinkled on top. Enjoy the muffins with a glass of juice and you have a lasting vitamin packed breakfast.
Are you on a heart healthy plan or wanting to start? Scroll down to find lots of recipes by Sunday Supper contributors. We have you covered from morning to night. Eating healthy no longer means food that tastes like cardboard. Keep your heart strong and enjoy your meals one healthy and delicious bite at a time. Special thanks to Lori at Foxes Love Lemons and Ethel of eating in instead for hosting this week’s event. For another heart healthy recipe I’ve shared before, take a look at Farro and Fruit Salad.
Pear Bran Muffins
Ingredients
For the topping:
- 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
- 2 teaspoons grated orange zest
For the muffins:
- 1 cup wheat bran
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup lowfat buttermilk at room temperature
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1/2 medium pear peeled and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
Instructions
For the topping:
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Stir together turbinado sugar and orange zest in a small bowl.
For the muffins:
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with 10 paper liners (leaving 2 muffin cups empty).
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Whisk together wheat bran, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt in a large bowl.
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Whisk together buttermilk, applesauce, oil, and egg in a medium bowl.
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Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined and dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in pear pieces.
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Divide batter among the 10 lined muffin cups. Sprinkle orange-sugar topping on top of each muffin.
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Bake for 22 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
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Cool muffins in the pan for 5 minutes. Transfer muffins to a wire rack and cool completely.
Recipe Notes
Start your day in a delicious and healthy way with these Pear Bran Muffins. They are filled with pears, spices, and topped with orange zest.
Recipe adapted from Woman’s Day magazine February 2014 edition.
Are you looking for heart healthy recipes? Take a look at these by Sunday Supper contributors:
Better for you breakfasts:
- Apple Pie Oatmeal by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Create-Your-Own Overnight Oatmeal by Rhubarb and Honey
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Scones by Brunch with Joy
- Orange-Mango Smoothie with Lime & Ginger by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Pear Bran Muffins by Magnolia Days
- Stovetop Fruit & Honey Granola by What Smells So Good?
Jump start your health with these appetizers and snacks:
- Almond Crusted Chicken Nuggets by Momma’s Meals
- Chipotle Black Bean Dip by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Lemon Aioli with Spring Vegetables by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Mala Baked Tofu Bites by Palatable Pastime
- Parmesan Pistachio Kale Chips by The Texan New Yorker
Soups that’ll win your heart:
- Asian Soba Noodle Broth Bowl by Hip Foodie Mom
- Kale, Spinach, and Bean Soup by Ruffles & Truffles
- Mushroom Quinoa Soup by Pies and Plots
- Quinoa Chickpea Soup with Roasted Garlic & Veggies by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Turkey and Black-Eyed Peas Soup by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Veggies, Sides, & Salads your heart will thank you for:
- Collard Greens with Cumin and Paprika by Nik Snacks
- Grilled Salmon Caesar Salad by Casa de Crews
- Kale Roasted Beet Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing by Noshing with the Nolands
- Lightened-Up Creamed Spinach au Gratin by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Roasted Teriyaki Green Beans and Mushrooms by NeighborFood
- Salmon Salad Niçoise by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Seasoned Spinach & Bok Choy by Nosh My Way
- Spinach Berry Salad by Country Girl in the Village
- Sweet & Smokey Cauliflower Salad by Take a Bite Out of Boca
- Winter Citrus Salad with Avocado-Basil Dressing by Foxes Love Lemons
Healthy is the center of attention in these main courses:
- Baked Eggplant Parmesan by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Celeriac Noodles with Mushroom Ragu by The Joyful Foodie
- Gluten Free Roasted Chicken and Kale by Gluten Free Crumbley
- Heart Healthy Salmon Bento by The Ninja Baker
- Lemony Grilled Chicken by Peaceful Cooking
- Moroccan Salmon Tagine by Curious Cuisiniere
- Olive Oil-Poached Salmon with Pickled Cherry Salsa by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- One Pot Mexican Quinoa by Having Fun Saving
- Oven Baked Tilapia Tacos by Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Piperies Yemistes me Pligouri – Bulgur Stuffed Peppers by Food Lust People Love
- Salmon with Mango Salsa by Cooking Chat
- Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Quinoa Bake by Food Done Light
- Vegetable and Ginger Congee by eating in instead
- Vegetarian Cuban-Style Black Beans & Rice by MealDiva
- White Bean, Corn, Tomato and Rice Skillet by Family Foodie
Staying healthy doesn’t mean giving up desserts!
- Baked Figs with Vanilla and Honey by Happy Baking Days
- Caramelized Pear Tart by PancakeWarriors
- Cherry-Blueberry Trifles by The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch
We heart wine.
- Wine Pairing Recommendations for Heart Healthy #SundaySupper by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
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Ethel @eatingininstead says
I love pear in my muffins and these looks so moist and delicious!
Shelby says
The muffins sound (and look!) delicious. Grumpy would love them I know as he is a very big fan of pears. I’m glad you got your blood pressure taken care of! I am glad there are a lot of foods that can be ingredients out there that are heart healthy and tasty to go along with it!
David @ CookingChat says
These look like a great start to the day!
Stacy says
Lovely, lovely muffins, Renee. You know how I have a weakness for baking muffins. I’m so glad that you got to the doctor in time and nothing dastardly happened to you. Isn’t modern medicine a marvel?
Nichole says
Oh boo. You worked so hard, and couldn’t control it on your own. I know you’re on meds, but I am sure eating yummy, healthy dishes like this one do help!
Liz says
Oh, Renee, your muffins are calling my name. Baking with pears is only second to apples—and we DO love bran muffins at our house. What a terrific idea!!
Katie says
How frustrating to be taking action to lower your bp and not having the hard work pay off! Well, even if they don’t control your bp, I would totally be taking advantage of these muffins…LOVE the components!
Tammi @Momma's Meals says
Oh man…..I think my husband is headed down the same road Renee, he’s tried everything, and though everything he’s doing is helping, it may not be enough. Nothing wrong with still eating healthy and getting that exercise in though! I’m putting these muffins on the must list for all of us!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Renee, Glad your blood pressure is normal now! I was on the verge of having high blood pressure when I lived in LA because of all the stress from my advertising job . . eventually I quit to stay at home with the kids, which ended up helping me more than them! love these muffins! I recently made flaxseed muffins . . I really love healthy muffins because you still feel like you’re eating a treat!
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog says
I can’t wait to make this muffin! I love the bran, but mostly the apple and pear. Mmmmm
Laura Dembowski says
My dad also has high blood pressure due to heredity and takes a pill. It’s a bummer to take pills, but sometimes I guess you have to do what you have to do.
Your muffins look wonderful!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
These look absolutely delicious! I’ll be getting pears this week!
MealDiva says
What a perfect breakfast muffin!
Courtney @ NeighborFood says
These sound fabulous! I know my tastebuds and my heart would love to wake up to these muffins!
Marlene @Nosh My Way says
It;s interesting really that if you listen to your gut feelings it’s almost always accurate. Those pear bran muffins look so delicious. And I am glad you are taking the right measures to stay healthy.
Sue Lau says
That little bit of orange zest on top of the muffins really has me sold!
Tara says
I love the pears mixed in with all these spices. Funny I bought a bunch of pears not that long to bake with but they were all eaten before that happened. We love pears here!
Tracy says
Those looks absolutely delicious! I love anything Peach 🙂
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
Oh pears are where it’s at right now 🙂 I love adding ginger to my pear muffins, it’s a surprise every time you find a little nugget! These look great, pinning!
Constance Smith says
These look delicious Renee!! I need one for with my coffee 🙂
Shannon {Cozy Country Living} says
Yum! These look delicious!
The Ninja Baker says
Thank God for modern medicine, Renee. Glad to read your bp is all right. As for your pear bran muffins, they do look sensational…They look as if they might even effect a miracle cure =)
Kimberly says
I love healthy muffins … such as great way to start the day. And I love the sound of this one … especially the topping! I can just imagine that burst of orange as you take the first bite!
Shaina says
Your muffins sounds delicious, I love that you added pear. Yum!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
I love the idea of pear, what a nice change from apple!
Caroline @ Shrinking Single says
These look delicious and healthy. I wonder why pears don’t make it in to muffins more often. They are just as lovely as apples.
Linda | Brunch with joy says
Renee, I could totally relate to you because I’m having the same issue (sorta)…still being treated though since the doctor can’t find out why. But these pear bran muffins bring a big smile and sure enough makes a perfect treat for me.
Joy | The Joyful Foodie says
The topping on these looks divine! I can practically smell the orange through my screen.
Anita at Hungry Couple says
Healthy, shelthy, I love pear anything! But I’m glad you got help and are under treatment. I have a friend with the same hereditary condition so I understand. Take care of yourself…and keep baking!
Sarah says
I love bran muffins, and pears! This would be a shoo in for sure
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook says
Thank you for sharing your story – glad you figured out the problem. These muffins look incredible. I love baking with applesauce and there’s zero guilt having this frosting-less cupcake for breakfast! 😉
Katherine G says
These muffins look so delicious! I’m going to have to try these.
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
These look delicious! I know I should eat more wheat bran, and this is a great way to do it.