Drucilla’s Little Helpers - Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin

The weather and scenery have just been beautiful this week. The leaves on the trees are alive with color. I have been traveling back and forth to Cookeville for doctor appointments and balance therapy. This week I started back to heart rehab. I have noticed in my travels up and down the mountain how colorful the trees have become.

I can think of better ways to view the colorful scenery, but then I wouldn’t have met so many new friends. Isn’t there a saying, “Strangers are just friends we haven’t met yet?” There are a lot of them out there.

In fact, I met Judy and Joe at heart rehab. We laughed together. There is nothing like having laughter while you are helping your heart. Someday your heart will thank you.

Something else that put a lot of smiles on my face was attending the Heart of the Cumberland Banquet on Tuesday night and talking with several friends.

You may ask, “What is Heart of the Cumberland?”

It is a group of individuals who started a group to help support you while you are grieving any kind of loss in your life. This group has grown by leaps and bounds since it was founded in 2017. To find out more about them, you can call 931-525-2600.

Today’s recipe is easy and delicious. I used to make these mini muffins for my classes. The kids love them. They’re chocolate. The adults like them because they have pumpkin, which is loaded with vitamin A.

Ingredients

1 box chocolate cake mix
1 can (16 ounces) pumpkin

Directions

Mix pumpkin and cake mix with an electric mixer. If it’s too thick, add 1/4 cup water.

Pour into prepared pans. You can spray with cooking spray.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.

You will notice in the picture that I made square mini muffins. They are better than round ones.

Why?

Because there are 4 corners.

You can never get too many corners.

It’s time to get on with the day. When you wake up at 4:30, you know it’s going to be a long day.

Before I go, let me tell you a story about a doctor. I made it colorful and made it up, but it could happen.

I went to the doctor for my yearly physical. My blood pressure was high, my cholesterol was high, I’d gained some weight, and I didn’t feel so hot.

My doctor said eating right doesn’t have to be complicated and it would solve my physical problems. He said, “Think colors. Fill your plate with bright colors. Greens, yellows, reds, oranges, etc.”

I went right home and ate a whole bowl of M&M’s and sure enough I felt better immediately.

I never knew eating healthy could be so easy.

After that fairy tale, I will share a child’s morning prayer.

“Good Morning, God! I am so glad that you are my friend. Together we make a great team. I am not afraid of anything when you are beside me. It will be a good day if you will think through my brain, talk through my tongue, and smile at people through my face. In my work or play, may my friends and even strangers see that I love you. Amen.”

Questions, you may call 931-510-1349 or email me at raydrucilla@gmail.com.

Have a wonderful colorful week.