Guiltless cookies from scratch...part 1!!!!!

I love healthy and nutritiously inspired cooking! Recently I've been experimenting with meal replacement trail mix cookie recipes. I haven't figured out the exact measurements yet, but will this week and will be doing a great follow up blog to this one with pictures. I've been eating these cookies like crazy the past two weeks ( I have a bad habit of skipping meals, it's been killing my metabolism) and so far I have lost 6 pounds, so I'm really excited to share these recipes(I'll probably be doing a new one every week, I have an idea for a dark chocolate cherry cookie). I've come up with a couple of different variations, but have discovered something really cool! In place of butter in these recipes I've been using pureed fruit! It's so awesome! I like putting cinnamon in the cookies (1-2 tablespoons depending on tastes) because it helps to balance blood sugar, so I started with fruits that would be complementary to the cinnamon. So far I have used applesauce, pumpkin(I used 1 can), and pureed bananas! Just pick your puree and put about 2 cps (like I said all the measurements in this first blog are ball park figures) It has worked out so well, they are soft chewy and super satisfying. I've been using about four scoops of vanilla whey protein and only 2/3 cup artificial sweetener (it doesn't take much because of the pureed fruit and protein powder) to do huge batches of these cookies! There's absolutely no white flour, I use solid stone ground whole wheat flour(wonderful flavor and I'm in love with the texture), just 1 1/2  tsp salt and 1 1/2 tsp baking powder. I put about 11/2 cups oats and 6 eggs, this does make a huge batch about 40 to 50 cookies, but my husband and I have been eating these so fast we have to make that many at a time. About 2 cups of your choice of trail mix, more or less depending on personal taste. I just buy dried apricots, plums, cranberries, almonds, and walnuts in bulk (below I have posted some examples of dried fruits and nuts I have used and really worked well)and make my own trail mix, in the long run it comes out alot cheaper for how often I have to make these, but for just one batch you should probably be able to find a nice 16 oz bag to suit your tastes. I also liked one batch that I threw about a cup of coconut in, yum! Also about 1 tablespoon of vanilla. I would ball park the flour at 3-4 cups at this point. I have been just adding the flour until I get a workable cookie dough texture. Just mix it all together starting with wet ingredients, (puree, vanilla, eggs) then add dry ingredients mix well and add trail mix, coconut, etc last and mix through. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees f and make sure you spray some cooking oil on the pans because you have to keep in mind there is no butter or oil in these cookies so you want to do something to make them not stick to the pan. Do rounded tablespoons and bake for about 10 to 15 minutes, usually you'll notice some browning of the peaks and tips of the cookies and this will let you know that you are pretty close to done. Set out to cool and enjoy! I've really enjoyed them and feel great, remember the balance of life...its all about fiber and protein!

I just love this green stuff!!

Try growing lettuce, spinach, and chard! Its super easy, looks really pretty and can be grown just about anywhere. These leafy little guys aren't really picky about soil, they only need a moderate amount of light and do great in containers. One packet of seeds well tended will give you a whole season of free greens. Also if you don't want to buy greens or seeds next season never pull from the center stalk, let it flower and seed. Another thought, if you wish to keep growing throughout the winter just keep a cycle of fresh babies planted and when it gets chilly move the operation from the porch to the indoors! Find a window sill that gets a little light and they'll be more than happy. Til next time,
Sandy

A Green Idea!

You never know what I'm going to post! I love to live green any chance I get. My husband and I are also big fans of eating green. We love green onions! Here's a money saving green tip that you just might love. We only buy green onions once a year. I am a gardener, but my biggest peeve is how long it takes for some veggies to mature, onions are a big offender, so I cheat :0) When you go to the grocery store to buy green onions pick up a bag of potting soil too. The green onions you pick up usually have the little baby white onion still at the bottom. Find a bundle that have good little roots going strong. When you get home from grocery shopping prep a spot in the garden or use a planter, you can do this whether you live in a house or apartment. Cut off the green onions you plan to use. Save the bottoms and plant them! Those beautiful little onions are still alive! They will start growing and you can usually harvest within just a week or so. With very little maintenance these little guys will keep growing strong! So take a little time, save some green, eat some green and keep anything out of the landfill you can! Till next time...

Sandy

An Introduction...

Hello friend! My name is Sandy. I am a 28 year old, happily married woman. I have always wanted to write and given that I'm alive in the age of the "Blog" has finally become irresistible to me. So my friend, we shall take a trip together and I hope you enjoy yourself. What is to come will be a chronicling of me rediscovering myself and hopefully helping others to do the same. I have made a hobby out of learning a little bit of everything! In the blogs that follow we will learn a little about a lot and a lot about as much as possible! When you stop learning it's time to die my friend. So let's live a little together. Some days I'll share some fun stories about myself (I have a lot(too many)) and other days I'll share tips and information I've learned along the way. I'll start my official posts tomorrow, I just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. Til tomorrow then....