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Triple Orange Muffins: A Bit More Zen….and a Bit Less Wild West…..(sometimes)!

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Seven days into 2013, and I’m finally coming out of a holiday stupor, thanks to a fabulous winter afternoon ride at Los Banos Creek Reservoir with my best buddies of the Buckaroo Banzai Equine Society.  

More giddy-laughter than giddy-up.  More leather than lather.  More smiles than miles. This aging riding group has nixed steeple chase jumping, banned endurance riding, and will hysterically flee from all competitive events involving cows, arenas, or English saddles.

Well, what in the heck are you doing up in that gnarled western saddle?” you ask. 

If you only knew the perils that we have faced, you would smack that pitiful “poor-senior-sissies” smile right off your face!  Before you ask us to exchange our bridles for Bingo cards, and our reins for recliners……check out the following true life adventures.

Top Six Buckaroo Banzai Wild West Escapades

Perils

  • sucking mud holes swallowed two horses up to their chins.
  • hard scrabble riding has twice led to six legs flailing, followed by a horse and rider wedged in granite

Surfing Safari

  • one rider tossed into a spring river torrent just a few feet from the pounding surf of the Pacific.
  • escaping a cresting ocean wave, one quarter horse’s sudden backward roll finds our jet packed cowboy leaping sky high-then landing boots-first…cigar still lit.

Trick Riding

  • two pop-up wild turkeys and six simultaneous 180° spins….with random flying riders.
  • mare’s knees buckling on a steep gravely hill propels rider #1 to rump of lead gelding who in turn catapults rider #2 to complete coordinated butt-first and shoulder first landings.

So……while you’re sitting at Starbucks having another latte and quietly conversing with the Coffee Klatch Club, this seemingly tame group of retirees and pre-retirees is living life in the big outdoors, each perched precariously on top of a half-ton Jack-in-the-Box.

Now, if your New Year’s resolution involves getting out of the doldrums…..let’s say….taking up sky diving, kayaking the rapids, or simply moving your tush off the couch in some new and unique way…..I’ve picked up a few tips to help you tackle YOUR own Buckaroo type adventure…….and hey, if all else fails…..you know you’ll find an awesome seasonal recipe at the end of this post to share with the Coffee Klatchers.  

Today’s tip is sponsored by the Color Orange……

  1. Did you know that studies show that the color orange can create physical effects such as heightened sense of activity, increased socialization, boost in aspiration, stimulated mental activity, increased oxygen supply to the brain, increased contentment, and enhanced assurance.  You’re going to need all of these qualities if you want to keep up with the Buckaroo Banzai Equine Society.
  2. According to teachings about the sacral chakra,  orange energy transforms even the most mundane daily experiences into pleasurable special experiences.
  3. Research shows that volunteers found heightened flavour when their drink was served in an orange cup.

So, let’s get crackin’!  Once you stuff your face with a couple of Triple Orange-Rum Muffins with Orange Reduction Glaze, I promise you’ll want to Hike to the top of Half Dome, run with the bulls…….or maybe just dust off those mountain bikes stashed in the garage corner.

After a string of holiday hosting, including sleeping bodies in every guest bedroom, our home office, the couch, hardwood floor (ouch!), and even the driveway (ok…ok…they were inside our travel trailer), we woke to find nothing but carrots, sweet potatoes, and enough California oranges to feed our entire neighborhood.  These golden nuggets of luscious freshness are packed with so many nutrients, that I bet you’ll be shouting “Yee…hah!” right along with my fellow riders.  Go ahead…..give the muffins…and the whoop…a try.  I bet you’ll find that the color orange lives up to its reputation.

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Triple Orange-Rum Muffins with Orange Reduction Glaze

  • 2 Tbsp. chia seeds soaked in 1/3 cup hot water 
  • 2 1/2 cups gluten free flour (I used rice flour and buckwheat flour)
  • 2 tsp. baking powder (I use aluminum-free powder)
  • 2 tsp. ground ginger
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 3/4-1 cup sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)
  • zest of two oranges
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 tsp. rum flavoring (can be omitted)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup sweet potato and carrot puree (about 2 carrot2 and 1 medium sweet potato)
  • 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (add as necessary due to flour density)

Preheat oven to 350°.  While chia seeds soak (these will keep your gluten free flour from crumbling), mix all dry ingredients (from flour to zest) in a medium bowl.  In a separate bowl, mix vanilla, rum flavoring, eggs, sweet potato puree, and orange juice.  Mix wet and dry ingredients, adding orange juice as necessary.  Flour densities can vary widely….so just make sure your final batter is not runny, but also doesn’t cling too tightly to the spoon.  I used about 1 cup.  Drop into greased muffin cups and bake for approximately 25 minutes.

While muffins bake, start your reduction glaze.

Fresh Orange Reduction Glaze

  • Squeeze 4 oranges

Simmer, but don’t boil orange juice in a saucepan until it is reduced by at least half.  When you are ready to glaze cooled muffins…..mix the following in a small bowl.

  • 1 Tbsp. sour cream or cream cheese (I used homemade kefir cream cheese instead)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • orange reduction, added slowly until you reach the desired consistency

Drizzle cooled Fresh Orange Reduction Glaze on cooled muffins.  Sour cream may be omitted for a dairy free option.



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