Breakfast COOKIES!

Breakfast the most important part of the day! It energizes you and keeps that metabolism revved up! Cookies are a sweet treat that should be savored not forgotten, but eaten in moderation..so how do you bring the two together in your healthy journey to B-FIT4U!? The almighty Breakfast Cooooookie!! It's delicious and packed with all those good for you ingredients...without making you feel like your sacrificing all the goodness of your traditional cookie! And guess what!? They are kid tested! I have picky ones...kids that is, and they LOVE these cookies, and if you know any picky eaters kids or adults, you know this is saying ALOT! So give them a try you will LOVE them too!! And pssst if any of the ingredients seem strange to you or your picky eaters..follow this recipe too a "T" with my little tricks...and you and "they" will never know the flax seed, etc is hiding in there! Ok so big trick here is I take the oats and all the nuts, and I process them into a fine flour in my blender, yep that's it! No one is the wiser and all they get is that chewy goodness (and healthy vitamins it provides) oh and I buy flax seeds already ground which by the way, seem to only come in a big bag, so save the rest by putting in the freezer. It keeps it fresh, doesn't really freeze it so you can pull out a tablespoon here or there to add to cookies, all baked goods, smoothies or sprinkle on your cereal. Soooo good for you and you don't even know it's there! So back to the Breakfast cookies! I am a dump it all in one bowl kinda baker when it comes to these cookies, so take the following below, dump it all in one bowl and mix with your beaters or cuisinart, adding the dried cranberries or cherries and dark chocolate chips at the end. Ready Set Go make them! 1 cup walnuts and 1 cup almonds (measure then pulse in blender until ground up fine) 1 1/2 cup old fashioned oats (pulse in blender until fine like flour) 3/4 cup whole wheat flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 stick smart balance butter 1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark) 2 TBS. Ground flaxseed 1/2 tsp kosher salt 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 cup soy or almond yogurt vanilla flavor 1 egg 1 cup dark chocolate chips (I like to keep this entire recipe lactose free so I buy chips that have no dairy but do as you please here, we have a lactose intolerant family member :) 1/2 cup dried cherries or dried cranberries Place in one bowl and blend until dough forms, adding dried fruit and chocolate at the end. Place golf ball size dough balls on greased cookie sheet and flatten with palm of hand making perfect round circles, Bake 375 for 15 minutes. Enjoy!! Happy Friday!!~FoodieGIRL

Easy, healthy Fun!

You have all asked for easy ways to get healthy and stay healthy this Summer, and we got you covered! It's easy when Summer rolls around to get a little lax and lazy about your eating habits...a little ice cream here, another cocktail there...you really need to stay on top of your nutritional needs and pick and choose when you will indulge, cause that's important, too! Deprivation does no body or mind any good! You don't have to overeat on all your summer vacations, but you can treat yourself and still stay healthy!! Soooo let's get back to easy! A great habit to adopt this Summer and anytime is salads! Have a salad everyday for lunch and see the change in your energy and physique. And how about packing good for you snacks at the pool or beach? Indeed snacking sensibly on veggie sticks, edamame for protein, fruit and whole grain crackers will keep you refreshed and your energy up! And don't fall into the trap of eating a whole bag of anything...portion out your snacks, calories add up fast. Alcohol..stick to one cocktail or two..nobody needs a beer belly, a wine waistline, or a slow metabolism, ya dig? Keep it light and fresh this Summer while you're on the go! Fitness and Health is a life long wonderful journey with no finish line, just a great attitude to do well for yourself , body mind and soul-B-FIT4U!