Cookie Relations

I'm getting ready to package these up to take to my neighbors. Some of you may wonder why I'm baking for my neighbors. They never bring me anything. However, my goal in this great town of Abilene is to get to know as many people as possible. I believe that we were created to live in close community with people and if they aren't going to invite me over I'm going to knock on their doors. It's usually I little less awkward when they answer the door and I have something in my hands to give instead of just knocking and asking how life is going. I also love to bake and if I kept everything in this house that I made, well that would just be a bad idea.


Oatmeal Fruit Cookies
(Recipe adapted from Simply in Season cookbook)

3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup vanilla sugar
1/4 cup raw sugar
2 Tablespoons molasses

Mix this all together until well mixed.

1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla

Add to the above mixture and beat in.

Combine:
2 1/2 cups quick oats
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup raisins
1 cup coconut
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice

Add dry mixture to wet ingredients. Drop on greased baking sheets. I used a cookie scoop to deposit and then had to flatten them a bit as they didn't spread at all on their own. Bake in a 350 degree oven for approximately 12-15 minutes.

Pretty tasty and relatively healthy cookie to enjoy!

Oh so Important Breakfast!

We've all been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. How many of you actually believe that and then consequently live that way? How many of you skip breakfast regularly because you don't have time? This makes me so sad. I simply cannot imagine NOT eating breakfast. It truly starts my day, gives me energy, and makes me happy in the morning. 

I will tell you a little secret though. I used to be a horrible breakfast eater. Basically my entire childhood breakfast eating consisted of pop-tarts and granola bars. I can't believe my mother let me out of the house with such a deprived breakfast. Truthfully, I was running out the door and grabbing a to-go bar was the only option. It may be easy to say this now, but I will not allow my children to eat like that. Studies definitely show that children with a healthful breakfast are able to concentrate better, they excel better in school, and they are less likely to over-eat the remainder of the day. That is true for all ages actually. Breakfast is so important!

Most recommendations include consuming about 25% of your daily calories for breakfast. This starts your metabolism and gives you the energy you need for the day. A good breakfast is also going to include more than just carbohydrates. We need protein and fiber in our breakfast to keep us satiated for a longer period. 

Recently I've been switching between a hearty bowl of oatmeal and sauted veggies with scrambled eggs. I like to make my oatmeal with milk and I always add some form of fruit and nuts. I've been eating lots of eggs because they come from right outside and are free! 

Oats with milk, frozen peaches, blueberries, pepitas(pumpkin seeds), and almonds.