During December's gathering, the table was decorated with flowers, champagne, and three delicious treats. Whipped coconut cream sat beside a beautiful and warm apple tart next to a dish of the tastiest chocolate chip oatmeal cookies ever. Today, I'm (Emily, here!) dishing out an oh-so-easy dessert recipe you need to make asap. Seriously. I'm thinking this is the perfect recipe to say I love you this V-Day. You know, if you're into that kind of thing.
Does that make sense? Do you ever get overwhelmed by the concept of how you have the power to shape your emotions, to control the outcome, to work with all you have and make it more or less? Because you actually have that power. Every time you sit in your pity party, you have the power to turn it off and make it a dance party. When you are angry, you have the power to shape that anger into productivity and progress. When you are sad, you have the power to turn that sadness around to a form of hope.
1. Floss, because I gotta
Crust -
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
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The Yummiest Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies (v, gf) & Forgiveness for Biting Off More than I Could Chew
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At last week's gathering, the table was decorated with flowers, champagne, and three delicious treats. Whipped cream sat beside an apple tart, both behind a dish of the tastiest chocolate chip oatmeal cookies ever. Today, I'm (Emily, here!) dishing out the best cookie recipe for you to make asap. Seriously. A must-make recipe with ingredients you probably have on hand right now.
But before we get started, I wanted to talk about biting off more than you can chew, about me biting off more than I could chew. This last year has been humbling with necessary weekends of rest, of moments of silence, of tasks not being started or completed. Some really energizing projects were finished quickly and with pride. Not everything is cake and champagne, however, and some did nothing but land me in bed and leave me feeling defeated.
I wanted to accomplish a lot of things this year, and I didn't get to most of them. Shocker. It occurred to me, though, the ones I did complete were important. To not recognize them would be dismissing key triumphs of 2015. If we forget to reflect on what we did do - even if it's watching 12 seasons of TV on Netflix - we'll never be happy. Ever. It will always be an and then or but then game. It will be a game of always chasing instead of stringing together the happy moments that make a life of happiness.
So yeah, I sure as heck bit off more than I could chew, because that's who I am, and I'll always want more of the great feeling of accomplishment. But I'm starting to realize it's okay. It's okay I didn't finish them or even start them to finish them. They will be there for next year's growth. They will be there when I'm running out of ideas. They will be there just as they are intended. I've completed what I've completed, and this is enough. I am enough. No eBook or extra program or additional client or extra photo will make me worthy. I am already worthy. I extend this freedom to you. You are already enough. You are already worthy. You don't need to complete another project, cross something off your never-ending to-do list, or lose 10 pounds to be better. You are already enough.
So bite off more than you can chew, and then be okay if it doesn't work out. Set your sights to bigger and better, but be content with whatever happens, because it's all working out regardless.
If you don't want to think any more of your to-do list, you might want to bite into more than you can chew of these cookies, so get ready and get set for some serious yum!
This recipe brings all of the Great Vibes because it's ...
super easy to make
ready to eat in under 30 minutes
sweet
chewy
rich
decadent
versatile
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients ::
+ 2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
+ 3/4 cup oat flour (process 1 cup of oats in a coffee grinder or blender to make your own and then scoop out desired amount)
+ 1/2 cup coconut sugar
+ 1/2 tsp sea salt
+ 1 tsp of cinnamon
+ 1/2 tsp baking soda
+ 1/2 tsp baking powder
+ 1 small banana, mashed
+ 1/3 cup olive oil
+ 1/2 cup maple syrup
+ 1 tsp vanilla extract
+ 1/4 cup - 1/2 cup chocolate chips or other add-ins (I did 1/2 - 1 cup chocolate chips, because I love chocolate. No shame.)
Recipe ::
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, add all dry ingredients - except add-ins. Stir to combine.
3. In a blender, add all wet ingredients, and pulse until fully combined. Alternatively, use a fork to mash the banana, and then whisk all the wet ingredients together.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Stir until completely mixed.
5. Toss in desired add-ins and mix.
6. Drop tablespoon-full sized balls of dough onto the parchment paper. If crumbly, use fingers to mold into circles. They will hold once baked.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the tops brown, and the edges are slightly crispy.
8. Remove from oven to let cool.
9. Devour & enjoy!
Notes::
Makes between 17 and 20 cookies.
Other add-in options include raisins, walnuts, other types of chocolate, etc.
If you're not feeling bananas for health reasons or otherwise, try subbing equal applesauce or sweet potato puree at your own risk.
All ingredients are vegan and most are organic. If these things are important to you, I encourage you to do the same. Finances, availability, and personal consumer choice can impact purchase decisions. My hope is that you closely follow the recipe, but make allowances where necessary -- my feelings won't be hurt, and your taste buds will still have a party. Promise!
+ What are your favorite cookies?
P.S. Did you know you get The Great Vibes Holiday Guide when you sign up for The Newsletter? Subscribe right now >>>>>
P.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
other places Emily's spreading the Great Vibes?
Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Pretzel, Popcorn Bark
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Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Pretzel, Popcorn Bark, Say What? Yes. It's happening.
Can I (Emily, here!) get a woot woot for easy, fast, and absolutely amazing recipes? This bark is going to make you want to do the happy dance. No lies. I included it in the Halloween Recipe series because a) cravings hit when handing out candy to trick-or-treaters so better entertain your tastebuds with something fabulous, b) if you're going to a party - read: not a frat party - and want something sweet & savory to bring along that's not the norm, these are perfect, and c) I'm eating this during Halloween time, and therefore it belongs in the Halloween Recipe series. Plus, if you've ever had chocolate spiders or haystacks, these taste like the deconstructed version (with an addition of popcorn of course, because really, why not?).
This recipe brings all of the Great Vibes because it's ...
5 ingredients
ready to eat in under 30 minutes
sweet
savory
crunchy
rich
decadent
versatile
Why love bark? Sometimes yumminess doesn't have to be complicated. Chocolate bark as a base sets you up for recipe success every time. Think of the options: nuts & seeds, dried fruit, other types of chocolate, peppermint for the holidays, etc.
Ingredients & steps after the jump ...
Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Pretzel, Popcorn Bark
Ingredients ::
+ Pretzels (gf, v)
+ Popcorn (homemade with olive oil)
+ Peanut Butter (unsalted, organic)
+ 1 bag of Chocolate Chips (gf, v)
+ Salt (Pink Himalayan Sea Salt)
Recipe ::
Make popcorn - follow instructions on the bag or microwave 2 tbsp - 1/4 cup organic popcorn kernels with 1 tbsp olive oil in a glass container with vented lid until it is more than 5 seconds between popping (about 4-5 minutes, depends on microwave; you can also do this on the stove).
Melt chocolate in a bowl, in a double broiler or microwaving on high for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until all of the chips have melted.
Spread melted chocolate evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicon mat.
Cover with crushed pretzels & popcorn.
Drizzle with peanut butter.
Place in refrigerator or freezer to harden.
Break into pieces, and enjoy! Xx.
