These carrot muffins are a perfect breakfast choice – not too sweet and packed with healthy ingredients. And if you’re solo these carrot muffins freeze very well. I individually wrap them in small plastic sandwich bags then place them in a larger 1 gallon freezer bag. When I’m in a hurry, I can easily grab one and go.
Carrot Muffins with wheat germ
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
1-1/2 cups grated carrots
1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cups raisins
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat white flour
1 Tablespoon wheat germ
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 cup chopped nuts
In a medium bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Add the sour cream then add the eggs one at a time beat well but don’t over beat. Stir in the carrots, coconut and raisins.
In a small bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. Then combine with the creamed mixture just until moist. Fold in the nuts.
Fill greased or paper lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Make at 375 for 20-25 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted in muffin comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.
The 8th annual Camden Cycling Clubs Three Rivers ride was held on Saturday November 5, 2022. The three rivers bordering this event are the Satilla, Crooked and the St Marys rivers. The event started at the crack of dawn in front of the Howard Gilman Memorial Waterfront Park in downtown St. Marys, Georgia.
Support volunteers at one of the five rest stops along the way.
This event offers participants options for 10, 30, 40, 62 and 100 miles rides. Since my longest training ride of the year had only been 35 miles long I decided a metric century (62 miles) would be enough of a challenge. Athens, GA, where I live and ride, is very hilly with some occasional steep climbs. I was very much looking forward to riding 62 flat miles. The metric century route had us go all the way out to the city of Woodbine and back. Part of the route took us on the busy Hwy 17 but the organizers had plenty of signs alerting drivers of the event and most of them were considerate.
At mile 12 of the ride there was a photo opportunity in front of a submarine at the entrance of Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base. The rest stop at mile 16 was inside the Crooked River State Park. This is a beautiful state park situated next to the Crooked River with many huge live oaks dripping with Spanish moss.
Me coming in to finish the metric century (62 miles) – time 4 hours and 8 minutes.
These organized rides are fun because you get to meet and ride with some interesting people with different levels of conditioning. The first group of riders I met and rode with were part of the Savannah Cycling Club and they were fast. We completed the first 15 miles in 44 minutes (20m/hr) which was way above my normal pace. When you’re riding with a group however, riders take turns out front setting the pace and breaking the wind before moving to back and conserving energy in the draft of the riders in front. At the mile 16 rest stop I decided to ride with a slower group.
Three Rivers Ride Logo – Satilla River, Crooked River and St Marys River
Before the event I thought I had stretched, hydrated and sipped enough pickle juice to keep the leg cramps at bay but, at mile 52 without much warning, the cramps hit both legs very hard. I had to get off my bike and try to walk the cramps out. I was off my bike for less than 5 minutes before an event support person on a motorcycle came by to see if I needed any help. Fortunately there was a rest stop at mile 53 where I was able to work out the cramps, with only 10 miles left there was no way I was going to let a few leg cramps get in my way.
The volunteers who manned the rest stops were extremely nice, friendly and easy to talk to. The food and drinks at the stops were also very good – Gatorade, peanut butter sandwiches, pickles and pickle juice, bananas, crackers, cookies and other treats.
If you are ever thinking about doing a group ride this annual event would be perfect.
Pam loved a good artisan loaf of bread with good flavor, texture and of course a good crust. I didn’t start making bread until after she died but, I really think she would have loved this bread. I morphed a no knead bread recipe I found on Pinterest. Here is the recipe and directions.
No Knead Bread
250 grams Organic All-Purpose Flour
100 grams White Whole Wheat Flour
50 grams Dark Rye Flour
1 Tablespoon Wheat Germ
1 Tablespoon Plain White Sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
3/4 teaspoons Active Yeast
1-1/4 Cups Water (home Temp)
Directions: Add all of the dry ingredients to a large plastic or glass mixing bowl (do not use metal), The either using your hands or a spatula add the water. I usually start with a spatula then finish with hands. The dough will be very sticky and will stick to your hands – I usually don’t handle it long. Just before I put back in the bowl I drizzle a tiny bit of olive oil to lightly coat the whole ball of dough. Once this is done cover the top and place it in a warm place for 12 – 18 hours, Preheat the oven with a Dutch oven inside to 450 degrees. I use a 7 quart Le Creuset Dutch oven.
While the oven is preheating take your dough and place it on a piece of floured parchment paper. I usually knead a couple of time where I tuck the edges under until I get the shape I’m looking for. When done make sure your seams are on the bottom. After the oven and Dutch oven have preheated carefully remove the very hot Dutch oven and place your dough, parchment and all into the Dutch oven put the top on and return to the oven. Set your timer for 25 minutes. After 5 minutes reduce the temperature to 400 degrees . After 25 minutes reduce the temperature to 350, remove the top and bake for another 10 minutes.
Located a short ten minute drive east of Mobile Alabama in Spanish Fort and tucked between Ducker Bay and Bay John sits the Meaher State Park. The campsites here are situated under a canopy of old growth pines that offer some shade and a breeze coming off the bay. There are 71 campsites, boat launch area and a separate canoe and kayak launch dock. Regardless if you are looking for a place to spend a night or relax for a whole month you should give this State Park some real consideration.
Gateway to the Delta – a 1/2 mile boardwalk over the water and marsh.
All of the RV campsites are paved and fairly level and come with water, electrical, sewer hook ups and a sturdy picnic table. They do not allow individual fire pits but, there are a couple fire pits scattered around the premises that can be used on a first come first served bases. There are several public restrooms and 1 very nice bathhouse. I didn’t see any bad campsite in the whole park. The odd numbered sites starting with 7,9 up to 35 are all closest to the water and have nice views, but because there are few trees around these sites there’s not much shade relief from the sun.
Restrooms and bathhouse – very clean.
On one end of the park there is a Gateway to the Delta boardwalk that takes you out over the water and through some of the marsh. This boardwalk loops around and is about 1/2 of a mile long. Take your time here, especially early in the morning, because there is a lot wildlife to be seen. At the other end of the park there is a very nice fishing pier. The pier is 300 feet long then T’s into another 200′ foot section. If you like night fishing, no worries, the pier has lights.
This little trail was all washed out at the time I was there – enough alligator warning signs – I turned back!
Biking – not too many great paths or trails for biking or walking except for just around the camp sites. The WIFI signal strength was good – strong enough for me to catchup on a few of my favorite Apple shows. There were also several TV stations I could pickup with just my antenna.
Nothing like sitting around a campfire cooking s’mores and talking with friends – life is good!
The city of Spanish Fort has a population of a little over 10,000 and offers some since restaurants and shopping. The history of Spanish Fort dates back to 1712, when Jean-Baptiste Bienville of France founded the city of Mobile. Originally, Spanish Fort was the site of a trading post established by the French during their occupation of Mobile. Bienville goes on to found the city New Orleans and the Bienville Oysters were named for him.
Below is an annual average temperature for Spanish Fort use the slider on the bottom pick your best time to visit.
Address: 5200 Battleship Pkwy, Spanish Fort AL 36527 (251) 626-5529 Hours: 7AM to 3PM. Too many beautiful images of this park to post them all – below are a few of my favorites, enjoy!
