Healthy Cookies (that are really really really great!)

There are not many healthy dessert recipes that I love and think are amazing, this might be the first on the list. I've tried so many times in the past to replace this with that, sub out blah for blah and settled on the fact that dessert should be full on, savored in small bites and eaten like you're living in France - whatever that means.

I however, do not have the discipline for eating like a Frenchy and have resolved myself to not make (or purchase) anything over the top decadent. If I do, you'll find me stalking the kitchen for any random item as an excuse to grab a bite here and there.

Made these tonight and they are excellent not to mention, they are butter-less, flour-less, egg-less and just about sugar-less.

Stalk my kitchen I shall, but this booty will still be able to button my jeans the next day.

Bon appetite!

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/nikkis-healthy-cookies-recipe.html

In Training and a Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal Recipe

In training. The past 4ish months I've been dedicating my oh-so-valuable free time to working out and getting my groove back. It's working. I hear people throughout my day talk about diet this, diet that. Plain and simple it is two things; what you eat- how much of it and exercise. Vigorous exercise. I'm not talking about walking on the treadmill or riding the stationary bike while reading a magazine. I'm talking about sweat pouring down your face stinging your eyes, feeling like you might puke if you push any harder yet still pushing yourself during every moment, further and stronger at each workout - kind of exercise. It works and it feels oh-so-good; so, that's why I haven't posted any recipes as of late - I've been kicking my own ass.

I have a list of stuff that I want to post up here to keep for easy reference and to share of course.. Cauliflower Mash, a new hummus recipe, Mexican Veggie Bake and a few others. For now, I'm sharing a great make ahead of time breakfast given to me by a great friend.

Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal

It's amazing, taste like pumpkin pie (I don't think it's a coincidence that she also gave me the crock pot apple steal oats recipe either). It's  easy, great to make ahead of time and best severed warm with a topping of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of maple syrup or berries (or all three!)

1 can of pumpkin

1/2 cup brown sugar (or whatever sug sub you use)

2 eggs

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (i used a bit more, about 1.5)

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp vanilla

1.5 cups milk (I used almond milk)

2.5 cups oats

Mix in order. Bake at 350 covered with foil for 30 mins and uncovered for another 15 - 20. Not sure on the pan size I used but it was a smaller glass brownie dish. This will make it thicker and need a longer cook time, go about 10 mins over and check from there. The kids went nuts over this too - Enjoy!