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One of the best stories about magical beasts is Beauty and the Beast of course! Your kids have probably seen the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast, which I adore. However, Lucie is scared of the beast and the ending, so we don’t watch it much even though the music and animation is wonderful.

This is a shame because Belle is my idea of a good feminist storybook heroine. She’s smart and loves to read. She also loves her father and friends and is very loyal to them. Also, for once in a Disney flick, Belle doesn’t fall in love with the good looking guy, Gaston. Instead, Belle goes for the ugly Beast because of his character and heart. Belle’s a decent roll model for girls, which is why I love the story so much.

Usborne Books has a beautifully illustrated version of Beauty and the Beast. For children seven years and up, their version is based on the original version by Gabrielle de Villeneuve written in 1740 and a retelling by another French writer, Marie Le Prince de Beaumont, which was written in 1756. The story revolves about Beauty’s father stealing a red rose from the Beast’s garden.

And you’ll be a beast for these pumpkin muffins (with Weight Watchers POINTS info for all us moms trying to stay trim and healthy).

Pumpkin Muffins (with Weight Watchers POINTS info)
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

1.  1 cup unbleached flour, sifted
2. 2 teaspoons baking powder
3. 1/4 teaspoon salt
4. 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
5. 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
6. 2/3 cup sugar
7. 1 large egg
8. 2 tablespoons canned milk
9. 1/2 cup canned pumpkin

Directions:

1. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon; set aside.
2. Cream together shortening and sugar in mixing bowl until light and fluffy, using electric mixer at medium speed.
3. Beat in egg.
4. Combine pumpkin and milk in small bowl.
5. Add dry ingredients alternately with pumpkin mixture to creamed mixture, stirring well after each addition.
6. Spoon batter into paper-lined 2 1/2-inch muffin pan cups, filling 2/3rds full.
7. Bake in 350F oven 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Nutritional information per serving:
416 calories, 15.3g fat, 1.8g fiber
Weight Watchers POINTS: 9

Photo credit: * Pamela *
Recipe courtesy of Anna at Weight Watchers Recipes

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