Lily's Health Pad

When my friend Faith invited me to a New Year’s Eve party hosted by her fiancé, the first question I asked was, “What food can I bring?”  When she replied that a dessert or appetizer would be appreciated, I instantly knew that I would be baking something sweet.

But what?  I did a bit of internet research and discovered an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie recipe that sounded simple, yet delish.

I made a few, small changes to the original recipe, and these turned out to be amazing.  I’m not exaggerating.  I would highly recommend that you try this recipe out.  The healthier substitutions certainly do not compromise the cookies’ taste!

Healthier Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

adapted from Eating Well; makes about 30 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup demerara sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 large egg white
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup raisins
• 2 cups quick oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 °F. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, applesauce, egg white, oil and vanilla until smooth. 
• In a medium bowl, stir together oats, all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, raisins, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. 
• Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until blended.
• Use a small cookie dropper to place dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies about 1 inch apart.
• Bake cookies until lightly browned, about 14-17 minutes.
• Once cookie sheet is removed from the oven, transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.

***

We had an awesome time at the New Year’s Eve party!  It was totally our style.  Lots of chatting, eating, and game-playing.  We played several rounds of Catch Phrase, which was really fun.  I took a few pictures, but I was having too much fun to concern myself with keeping up with the camera all night.

This lovely gal is Faith.  She and I have been friends since I moved to South Carolina when I was in eighth grade!  She got engaged a few months ago, and I couldn’t be more excited about her wedding!

Faith and friends chit chatting. 

Stephen and I

We stayed around until about an hour after the ball dropped.  I was pooped! 

This morning I woke up and created a power breakfast. 

1/2 cup oats

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 Tablespoon almond butter

1/2 banana

handful of dried cranberry, almond, cashew trail mix.

 6 oz. OJ

Shortly after my breakfast, I consumed this snack

coffee and an apple.

Stephen and I’s original plan was to spend the day hiking, but we decided against it once we realized that it was really wet outside.  I guess I wasn’t meant to get a hiking trip in on this break.

Instead, we chose to take a nice 70 minute walk.

After our walk, we had New Year’s Day lunch/dinner with my parents.

Spinach lasagna, veggies, and garlic bread. 

This lasagna is amazing!  The sauce is my sister’s recipe, and it includes shredded carrots, celery, and onion.  This meal was veggie packed! 

According to my Grandma Sissy, eating lots of green on New Year’s Day is supposed to bring money your way in the upcoming year.  I think with the spinach and the broccoli, I have my greens covered.  Here’s to hoping!

I ate about twice the amount of lasagna and garlic bread pictured, and I’m still rather full.  I’m sure there will be some Edy’s Tart Honey in tonight’s future though.

While I was at my parent’s house, I had to spend some time with my precious kitties.  I miss them so much!

Here’s my Irvin.  That face means, “stop taking pictures and let me out onto the [insert expletive] screened in porch.” 

Beatrice loves my laptop bag.  As soon as it hits the floor, she plops on top of it.

At the bottom of the picture is a toy bird that was a gift from her cat babysitter.  When you touch the bird, it tweets.  It drives the cats crazy!  They kill that thing several times a day.

Beattie falling asleep on my laptop bag.  I have no idea how she can be comfortable.

Nice view of Bea’s rump.

Queen Bea

Beatrice asleep on her cat bed.  She LOVES this thing.  Whenever she simply looks at it, she is enticed to take a nap.  I love how she always lays her head on the side like it’s a pillow.

A tasty oatmeal cookie recipe, good times with good friends on New Year’s Eve, and a family get-together on New Year’s Day:  so far, 2010 has been great to me!

I hope 2010 is shaping up to be a good year for you all!  Enjoy the long weekend.

Do you have pets?  Are you as obsessed with yours as I am with mine?

Tags: Beatrice, Irvin, New Year's Day, New Year's Eve, oatmal raisin cookies, spinach lasagna