Pumpkin & Pomegranate

April 24th through May 2nd there will be vegan bake sales around the globe. I urge you to go and purchase some goodies to support fantastic causes, and if you can, donate some vegan goodies you have baked yourself! Also, you can check the Vegan Bake Sale website to find out about future bake sales (they happen a lot!) If you aren’t vegan do not be scared that the vegans will attack. I am not vegan myself, and not only do I regularly shop at a vegan store, but I definitely support animal charities and those who choose a vegan lifestyle. Getting more non-vegans to try out vegan foods is a huge part of these bake sales, so please don’t be intimidated! The truth is you don’t have to have dairy or eggs in (most) baked good for them to taste good. That said, you know that I am not exactly a supporter of grains and sugar. You do know that I will make exceptions for treats, and I also recognize that not everyone is going to eat the way that I do.

For this bake sale I decided to be as healthy as I could be and still go the vegan bake sale route. To do that I did have to use 1 grain, and I also used a tried and true recipe from a cookbook instead of trying to wing it. I just didn’t have the time or money to do that right now. So yes I also used a sweetener that I wouldn’t ordinarily consume in mass quantities. Maple syrup. Aside from those 2 ingredients these muffins completely fit the bill for my normal eating. Mind you those are kinda the biggies I shy away from, BUT the grain used is gluten free (brown rice flour), and the sweetener is unrefined and SO much better for you than agave and less processed than cane sugar. So, for a treat these muffins aren’t all that bad and I wouldn’t personally have a problem having one every once in a while. In fact, I saved a few in my freezer for such an occasion. Don’t worry there are PLENTY to sell.

I used the recipe for dark chocolate muffins from the Flying Apron cookbook, as I know there are gluten free people who come to shop and it is always nice to have something for them to eat. Plus I don’t think gluten is good for anyone, so I am just trying to be a health elf.

The bake sale I will be donating to will benefit the new piggy Edgar at Pigs Peace Sanctuary. His pigginess will be in attendance both Saturday the 24th and Sunday the 25th at 4:00pm to meet his public, and I will be there with camera to photograph the cute.

I also want to mention that one of my favorite vegans is having a Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil give away, so head on over and enter to win some of my favorite oil! I have never tried the Tropical traditions brand myself, but I would LOVE to give it a try.

I hope you all have a blissful weekend, I know I plan to!