Holy cow, it's been almost a month since the last time I posted anything! The beginning of this school year has been really, really busy. A lot busier than last year, for sure! Between school, working with the drama group, and working with a nearby marching band 2 nights a week, I have been exhausted! But nonetheless, I have a few things to write about:
I am still constantly exploring for new recipes and ways to make them "healthy eater- friendly" (I hate the word diet). Last week, I was making a chicken salad, and while I was getting the craisins out to throw on top, I noticed a recipe on the back that I absolutely had to try just then and there...after all, how else was I going to pass the 25 minutes needed to cook the chicken? ;)
Chocolate Chunk Craisin Oatmeal Cookies!
The Batter:
2/3 Cup of butter or margarine, softened (I chose smart balance)
2/3 cup of brown sugar
2 large eggs
1-1/2 cups Old Fashioned Oats
1 1/2 cups of flour (I used whole wheat flour for extra fiber)
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 1/4 cups of Craisins
2/3 cups of Chocolate chips (white or semi sweet, whatever your tastes may be)
What to do with it?
Preheat oven to 375. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar together in a medium bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each. Stir in dried crainberries and chocolate chunks. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack. Makes approx. 2 1/2 dozen.
The after...yummy! Delicious both right out of the oven, and even a few days later! Kinda tasted like a granola bar. You could also add flaxseeds to this for extra fiber. Thumbs up! I even got the boyfriend stamp of approval...wasn't sure how he would feel about the craisins.
Speaking of flaxseed...
Last week I had an appointment with my outstanding nutritionist, and we were talking about fiber. Pretty much everyone who walks down the street these days knows that you are supposed to eat fiber, what it can get tricky when you are trying to figure out the right amount and the right ways to get it. Nowadays, they make so many high fiber bars, cereals, drink packets..you name it. There's nothing wrong with those products, I do eat them, but I am trying harder to get my fiber from more natural sources, such as vegetables. I think I eat a pretty balanced diet, but I always seem to come up short in the vegetable category. Anyway, my nutritionist recommended that I strive for 25g of fiber a day, and she also mentioned flaxseed. Now, I've heard of flaxseed before and I knew it was good for the body, but I had to do some homework on my own to see what it was really all about. And this is what I got:
Reasons to Eat Flaxseed:
1. High in B vitamins, magesium and maganase
2. Omega 3 Fatty Acids...good for your heart- this is what Smart Balance boasts about.
3. Fiber. This seed is full of cholesterol lowering and blood sugar stabilizing fiber.
The neat thing is, it's so, so easy to add to pretty much any food. I read online that the best way to get it's full nutrients is when you grind them, so I went to wal mart and bought a $15 coffee grinder to grind me up some Flax! I add a spoonful to oatmeal, I put it in my pancake mix this morning, you can put it in smoothies, cookie and bread dough, the possibilities are endless!
This morning's breakfast: Fiber One Apple Cinnamon Flax Pancakes. A Sunday favorite.
1/2 cup of Pancake Mix, a spoonful of flax, cut up some apple pieces and shook in some cinnamon. Added just a little Smart Balance and a tiny bit of Lite syrup to taste.
I bought the seeds at Wegmans. They are super cheap. I think I paid $1.43 for a half pound, my new coffee grinder, and then my little container for the ground seeds. You're not supposed to let them sit out too long after being ground up, so I only do a little bit at a time to last me 2 days or so.
Fiber Eater Public Service Announcement: I kinda chuckled when I read this, but it's so true. When increasing your fiber intake, do so slowly, and be sure to drink enough water. Or no one will want to be around you. 'Nuff said.
Well, folks, I think this might be it. I feel a cold coming on, so I'm going to spend this Sunday chillaxin' to try to ward it off. Can't miss any days of school!
Until next time! :)
