Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 3/4 c. flour
1 1/4 c. sugar
1 T baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. ground nutmeg
1/2 t. ground ginger
1/4 t. ground allspice
1/8 t. ground cloves
1 c. pureed pumpkin (can be canned)
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 T. molasses
12 oz. chocolate chips

preheat oven to 400 degrees. lightly grease or line a 12 muffin tin. sift (or just stir together) flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and spices. in a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin, milk, oil and molasses. pour wet ingredients into the dry and mix. fold in chocolate chips. fill the muffin tins 2/3 full and bake for 18-20 minutes until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

chicken and wild rice salad

so this salad is really delicious and such a good summer dinner. however, i lost the recipe so this is from my head. feel free to experiment a little.

salad:
4 chicken breasts, seasoned, cooked, cubed
2 boxes uncle ben's original recipe long grain wild rice (the 5 minute quick recipe works too)
1 red pepper, diced
4-5 green onions, diced
juice from one lemon
sugar snap peas, diced (i've never added this but i know the original recipe included it)

dressing:
1/2 c olive oil
1/4 - 1/3 c white wine vinegar
2 T dijon mustard
2 T sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
pepper to taste

toppings:
sliced almonds
diced avocado
whatever else you think would be yummy (maybe craisins?)

bake chicken at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes, while chopping veggies. i season my chicken on both sides with lowry's seasoning salt. prepare rice per box instructions. combine rice, cubed chicken, red peppers, green onion and sugar snap peas in large bowl. in seperate bowl whisk dressing ingredients together (can blend in a blender, or shake in a jar to mix as well). add dressing to rice salad. stir well. serve chilled with toppings. this salad is yummier if you prepare it 24 hours before serving.

enjoy

so easy chunky salsa

this is so easy, very minimal chopping required. it's also pretty hearty and can be eaten as a side or a topping to enchiladas, tacos, etc.

1 diced green pepper
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 small bottle fat free italian dressing

mix it all together (duh) and add as much dressing as it takes to make it the consistency that you want. it's yummier if you let it sit overnight and serve chilled, also delicious with lime chips. mmmm!