I don’t consider myself the most tech-savvy person, but I do have a few tricks up my sleeve from time to time. One of my “tricks” (which is probably common knowledge, mind you) is filtering out email addresses from my inbox. Like many of you, I receive a frightening amount of press releases and other spam. You know the ones that start out like, “Regards Webmaster” or “Dear [any name except your own]”.
To help combat my spam woes, I started filtering out email addresses a couple years ago. If you use Gmail, you probably already know about this filtering feature. The beauty is that if you receive an email from an unwanted recipient you simply click “more” and then “Filter messages like these” and then choose how you filter out the email. That way, if they should try to spam you again from the same email (and you know they will) the message will go straight to the archive, trash, etc. – whichever you prefer! I’ve noticed a huge improvement in my inbox, cutting down unwanted emails by probably 50% over the past couple years. It’s quite amazing to see how many are filtered out each day! You can also use the filtering feature to have emails sent directly into folders of your choosing.
So, back to not being the most tech-savvy person.
Last week we were getting ready to leave on a trip to visit my family. In preparation, I somehow managed to create an email filter that sent all new/unread emails straight into my trash bin. Who knew that was even possible? I still have no clue how it happened…I swear! So all last week, I was in this blissful state of ignorance thinking that I was having a rather “light” week for email. [We all know that doesn’t happen unless it’s Christmas holidays. fool!]
Do you know how good that week felt though? I was free!
When we returned home, I realized something was majorly wrong because I wasn’t even getting my own emails (yes, I email myself…not weird at all…). When a girl can’t get her own emails that’s where I draw the line! So the investigation began. Eric, tech-ninja-genius, suggested I check my trash and spam bins. There, in the trash bin among the lowly filtered-out spam, I found emails from my family, friends, publisher contacts, editor, blog readers, and fact checkers. Dear Lord what did I do? I was getting follow-up emails like, “I haven’t heard from you yet, please reply ASAP!!!!” and then I had to try to explain that I created a filter that sent their emails to the trash. It wasn’t my proudest techy moment.
Tech-ninja fixed the problem and I’m back in email action and caught up, but I will never forget that week of freedom. It almost brings a tear to my eye just thinking about it.
Lesson learned: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
There are, of course, exceptions to every rule, like these vegan blueberry muffins…
Blueberry Banana Muffins
Yield
12 large muffins
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Delightful, healthy banana blueberry walnut muffins made with spelt flour so they are naturally wheat-free (but keep in mind that spelt has gluten in it). If blueberries aren't in season, I suggest using frozen blueberries and saving the fresh ones for summer baking. You can also leave out the walnuts and swap the almond milk for coconut milk if you'd like a nut-free version.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (180 mL) mashed ripe banana (about 2 medium)
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (210 mL) unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) coconut oil, melted
- 2 cups (280 g) white spelt flour
- 4 to 6 tablespoons (40 to 60 g) coconut sugar or natural cane sugar*
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup (50 g) walnut halves, chopped (optional)
- 1 1/4 cups (160 g) frozen or fresh blueberries**
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a muffin tin.
- In a medium bowl, mash bananas and measure out 3/4 cup. If you have any leftover mashed banana you can freeze it for a smoothie.
- Place mashed banana into medium bowl along with the milk, vinegar, maple syrup, and vanilla. No need to stir it yet.
- Melt the coconut oil in a small pot over low heat. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda).
- Stir coconut oil into the wet mixture. Pour wet ingredients onto the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix as spelt is a fragile little flour.
- Gently fold in the walnuts and then the blueberries, being sure not to overmix as this can result in dense muffins.
- Spoon a heaping 1/4 cup of batter into each muffin tin, filling each tin about 3/4 full (they will be almost full, but this is normal). I like to press a few extra blueberries on top of each so they look pretty after baking.
- Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 23 to 27 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. I baked them for 25 minutes.
- Cool in pan for 5 to 8 minutes and then transfer muffins to a cooling rack and cool for another 15 minutes.
Tip:
- * When using ripe, spotty bananas I find 4 tablespoons of sugar is plenty sweet, however if your bananas aren't overripe, you might need to use the full 6 tablespoons. Add to your taste.
- ** If using frozen blueberries, be sure to leave them in the freezer (do not thaw) until just before you stir them into the batter. This helps prevent bleeding.
For anyone wondering, I just made these with whole wheat flour (was out of spelt). I didn’t change anything, and they turned out fantastic.
But how couldn’t they? This is Oh She Glows and all the recipes are hits!!!
(ps. toddler asked for chocolate chips instead of blueberries and the half that had that were also delicious. i’d say this is a great base muffin recipe that you could change the additions for whatever you were in the mood for)
Just made these – they are drool worthy!
For those wondering, I was able to sub 1/4 applesauce for the coconut oil and was surprised how decadent they still tasted.
These muffins are so good! I was a little low on spelt flour and bananas so I subbed half all purpose flour for it and a little applesauce and these still came out beautifully. My second batch is in the oven now and I added orange zest to them.
Made these today – Delicious!!
I love your recipes, Thank you.
I LOVE THESE MUFFINS! I’ve made them more than a dozen times in the last few years, and with several substitutions. Strawberries for the blueberries. Dates for the bananas (soak them, use a food processor, makes a slightly denser muffin). And most recently, GF flour. I prefer the spelt, but the recipe did the trick for a friend with a severe allergy. These muffins will continue to be in my regular rotation!
I have just made these and it was a success story, no doubts! My first muffins ever, will make more soon. I have done half of the recipe, but kept two bananas- no problem, very tasty! I used blackstrap molasses instead of maple syrup, and my muffins looked like chocolate ones, haha. I am encouraged to try more of your recipes now! Thank you:-)
Made the blue berry muffins what a flop I used whole meal spelt flour.The mixture to dry
Hey Shirley, I’m so sorry to hear that the mixture was too dry! That’s never good :( Did you happen to make any changes to the recipe or was your spelt particularly coarse?
OMG – these are SO good. The very best blueberry muffins I’ve ever had/made! I didn’t have spelt and used white whole wheat flour instead and they are perfect. We are sharing 1/2 dozen which means I’ll be baking another batch tomorrow. They are that good! Thank you, OSG. You are my go-to vegan chef for the best recipes.
When do you put in the sugar??
I’ve been making these muffins for years, sometimes with flour or fruit/nut substitutions. It’s a reliable recipe! I might try reducing the coconut oil going forward as they end up a little oily. I eat them fir breakfast cut in half with peanut butter spread on each side.
I just made these today but I used cassava flour instead of spelt and oat milk.. the batter was really dry so I added more liquid to it and got the batter to the right consistency but the muffins had to bake like an hour and they are pretty moist on the inside. What went wrong?
I don’t think this is an active blog anymore? But Flour can be finicky so I don’t swap them unless they provide a ln alternative or I’m willing to experiment myself.