Trader Joe's Whole Wheat Cinnamon Raisin British Muffins

I popped into Trader Joe's one afternoon to restock some grocery items. While picking up my beloved multi-grain bagels I noticed English muffins on the bottom shelf. Stooping low, I picked up a pack and the first thing I could smell was a delicious cinnamon raisin aroma wafting off the product. That's when the Trader Joe's Whole Wheat Cinnamon Raisin British Muffins found a spot in my grocery cart.

I'm a fan of English muffins but I typically don't pick them up because they can be boring (particularly the plain variety).  I'm able to find light english muffins that are lower in points/calories but finding flavored english muffins that are lower in calories/points can sometimes be a bit of a stretch.

The muffins need to be cut in half with a knife and toast up beautifully in the toaster oven. They come out crispy, hearty and are rather filling on their own.  I find they are heavier than your average white flour or light English muffin (most notably due to the amount of fiber and protein in each muffin). I’ve enjoyed them with spray butter on them, peanut butter, alongside breakfast (eggs), and even in a savory nature – the muffin being the bread of a deli polish ham sandwich.

What I liked about these muffins was that not only did they smell delicious, they are whole wheat and they're flavored English (or as Trader Joe’s calls them – British) muffins that are healthier in stats. Not only that, but the list of ingredients are all items I can read, understand and actually know what they are. The one “downside” to being able to read the ingredients lists (as with nearly all fresh products available at Trader Joe’s) is they don’t have a very long expiration. Basically, they’ve got about a 5-7 day shelf life, depending on the date on the plastic tag on the bread bags. I’ve found they spoil quickly if left out at room temperature, but they tend to last a little longer if placed in the refrigerator.

Each muffin is 130 calories or 3 points plus values.

Thomas’ Limited Edition Cranberry English Muffins

After trying out the Thomas’ Limited Edition Cranberry Bagels I decided to give the Thomas’ Limited Edition Cranberry English Muffins a try.  I admit bagels are more of my “thing” over English muffins, but I do enjoy a good English muffin now and again.

Thomas’ comes out with limited edition products based on the season. As we know with winter/Christmas … cranberry is all the rage. The one major difference I noticed is the cranberry bagels have a slight sweetness in taste and smell to them (they smell along the line of a blueberry bagel).  Whereas the cranberry English are along the tarter side of the equation and have a rather distinct cranberry scent to them. Texture wise they are your classic English muffin, which has a flakey soft inside, which thanks to the cranberries is slightly moist.  They toast up perfectly and are tasty with a bit of spray butter or even cinnamon butter on them.

A serving, 1 muffin, is 150 calories or 4 points plus values.

QUESTION:

Have you tried any of the Thomas’ Limited Edition products?

Thomas’ Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice English Muffins

I’ve seen these Thomas’ Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice English Muffins at my local grocery store for a few weeks and I admit I refrained from purchasing because they were not on sale. Who knew English muffins were $5+ a pack if not on sale? Not I for sure! This past week Thomas’ products were on sale for $2 a pack, so I picked one up because I’ve wanted to try it.

The English muffins are very fragrant in the bag. So fragrant I was expecting a burst of pumpkin spice – perhaps even a little overload upon first bite. The muffins are fork split which makes taking it apart easier. I toasted it up, and I will say they are very soft – softer than your average English muffin.  I added some peanut butter and a few slices of banana to it for breakfast.  But … I have to say these don’t taste anything like they smell. They taste almost plain. The pumpkin flavor is there but it’s so mild it’s almost unrecognizable. I wasn’t wowed by them and I haven’t had another since I first tried it.  It’s not that they aren’t any good … it’s just not the flavor category I was anticipating.

A whole muffin is 150 calories or 4 points plus values.

QUESTION:

What is your favorite English muffin flavor?

Homemade English Muffin Pizzas!

I was in the mood for English Muffin pizza and I decided to make a few as a quick and super simple meal.  I used to make these ALL the time (I even make them on bagels) so I quite enjoy them as pizza is my favorite food.  My niece was over when I was making these and she saw the pepperoni and banana pepper rings on it and she told me “Auntie Shannon, you’re not a good cooker.  You’re a spicy cooker” (LOL!) keep in mind she’s 3 and doesn’t like pepperoni pizza because it’s “spicy.”

To make these I used store-brand light fork-split English muffins.  I split them in half and added 3 tablespoons of sauce on each pizza (the 2 halves - which I seasoned with garlic and Italian seasoning), I then topped with 1/3 cup fat free mozzarella cheese (which I distributed over the 4 pieces).  Each pizza was topped off with 1 slice of Hormel Turkey Pepperoni and a few banana pepper rings.  I baked them in a 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes and ate when done.  Soo yummy!

Point Plus wise this meal was 7 Points Plus.

QUESTION:

Have you ever made English muffin pizzas?

Healthy Breakfast Sandwich

As unhealthy as it is for you, there’s one thing that I used to really enjoy a McDonald’s Sausage McMuffin (that is before I started on my healthy lifestyle change).  Eggs, sausage, cheese, English muffin and cheese – quite a great design for a yummy sandwich.  Sadly, the greasiness of a sausage mcmuffin at McDonald’s or even at a diner is too heavy and fatty on my stomach.  So I’ve learned to make things in a healthier manner.  I do switch this sandwich up depending on what’s available in the house.  I’ve been known to switch the meat choices up with turkey sausage, turkey bacon, Canadian bacon, deli ham or just eliminating the meat all together.  Whereas for the eggs I usually go with seasoning with salt and pepper – but I have been known to add sautéed peppers (and onions if available) into the eggs to make them southwestern-y.

To make this 6-Points Plus Value sandwich, I used 1 Light English muffin (2 points plus value), 1/3 cup Eggbeaters (1 pointsplus value), 1 frozen turkey sausage patty (1 pointsplus value) and 1 slice fat free American cheese (1 pointsplus value).

I toasted the English muffin in the toaster and spritzed a glass bowl with Pam and added in my eggbeaters, sprinkled with salt and pepper and microwaved for 1 minute.  I scooped the egg away from the bowl and microwaved for 45-60 seconds (until all egg was cooked and not liquidy).  I then wrapped my sausage in a napkin and microwaved fro 1 minute.  After that I just assembled my sandwich and enjoyed – so delicious!