I loathe the word diet. Healthy eating sounds better. We want to lose weight after the holidays, but how? It is the same scenario every year. We are enthusiastic about losing weight for approximately 24 hours. Then we get hungry. A high fiber intake (see, I don’t want to use the “d” word) satisfies that hunger. Bran muffins are a great start to the day with an orange or half a grapefruit. These muffins bake up big, so one should satisfy. Be sure to drink plenty of water, six to eight glasses a day, when on a high fiber diet. Okay, I said diet.

Bran Muffins

1 cup whole wheat flour

One quarter teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

One quarter teaspoon cloves

One eighth teaspoon allspice

Half cup bran

Half cup milk

One quarter cup molasses

One quarter cup chopped dates

One quarter cup brown sugar

One quarter cup canola oil

1 egg

One quarter cup raisins

Half cup chopped walnuts

In a medium bowl, stir together the dry ingredients and spices. Set aside. Soak the bran in the milk. When the milk has softened and absorbed the bran, add the molasses. In a small saucepan, cook the dates in about two to three tablespoons of water until soft.

In a large bowl, mix together the brown sugar and oil. Beat in the egg. Stir in the bran mixture and cooked dates. Gently stir in the dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in raisins. Pile the batter into six muffin cups. Sprinkle the tops of the muffins with sugar. Bake in a 400-degree oven for 16 to 18 minutes. Makes six large muffins.