BANANA WALNUT MUFFINS 

Hey Mom,

Happy Mother’s Day! I wish I was enjoying the day with you in person, but since I’m not, I figured I’d write you a letter broadcasting how much I la-de-dove you.  Right now, you’re in the mountains hiking around, enjoying nature with Carlo and having a relaxing day. You’re far from the intranet, and that’s awesome, so you’ll get to read this when you’re home and all tuckered out.

Mother. You’ve given everything you have to your family.

Every morning in high school, you made me my favorite smoothie and toast with the perfect amount of butter (about half a stick). You made me turkey pitas for lunch and even though those got reeeeeal old after a while, you made sure I always had healthy food to fuel my developing brain. You drove me to school at 6:30am to get tutored by my physics teacher. You raised a family while owning a business. You. are. a. powerhouse!

You made me tea while I wailed about my breakups. You travelled with me all across the country. You pretended to be my sister while we were in a comedy club in New York City. You cultured me. You bought me my first Ayn Rand book, my Barbara Kingsolver books, my Paulo Coelho collection. We watched foreign films together. Ate too much Dulce de Leche ice cream. You and me. We’re real firecrackers.

You taught me how to bake. You made my brother’s and sister’s wedding cakes. Who does that? You.

You encouraged me to be me. You never told me who to be or what to become. You gave me unconditional support and for that…I have no words.

You love geology. Right now, you’re looking at rocks in the mountains. I don’t get it and sometimes I tune you out a little bit while you’re telling me about geology, but I love that you love the earth and I love that you are always learning. You’re my rock.And now you’re crying, I can just tell.

You’re energetic and animated with your grandkids. You teach them, play with them, give them sugar and they love you to pieces.

You’re the hardest worker I know. The most honest person I know. You never make mountains out of mole hills and you help everyone around you keep life in perspective.  You make every person you meet feel good about themselves.

I love that you always have dreams. You always want to do things. And you and Carlo are building a cabin with your own hands. I love that. And you posted on my blog!How freaking cool!

If I could teleport these Banana Walnut Muffins to you so that you and Carlo could have a hikey treat, I absolutely would. I don’t need to tell you how these should be served because you already know. With half a stick of butter. Drizzle of honey. A berry smoothie. Alongside as many books as you have the attention span to read. Bangity BOOM!

Your favorite flower is growing in my front yard, so I think of you every time I leave and come home. I know you like the white irises the best, but this guy’s pretty friendly too.

I love you mom. This year, you get a letter. Next year you get a rap song. Mueller women, represent!

From your daughter who thinks the woooooorld of you,

Julia

Print

Gluten Free Banana Walnut Muffins

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 38 minutes

Yield: 9 muffins

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup walnut oil*
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1-1/3 cup brown rice flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup walnuts, chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly oil a muffin pan
2. In a mixing bowl, mash the bananas and whisk in the eggs, oil and honey.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the brown rice flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and walnuts.
4. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix until completely combined.
5. Fill the muffin holes three-quarters of the way up with batter.
6. Bake in for 30 minutes or until muffins test clean.
7. Serve with butter and honey!

Notes

*You can also use grapeseed or olive oil