Happy New Year (a little early) !!!

I'm taking the next couple days off, and thought I'd wish you all a lovely end to 2015 and fantastic start to 2016. You all deserve it. No matter how far you have or have not come this year, what resolutions you have or have not stuck with, or what you have or have not accomplished, you are worthy and enough and deserving of Great Vibes and happiness. I look forward to all of the fun things coming to The Great Vibes Guide in 2016 and sharing them with you! Happy New Year's Eve & Day! Xx. Em

P.S. Drink responsibly tonight & enjoy yourselves!

The Yummiest Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies (v, gf) & Forgiveness for Biting Off More than I Could Chew

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?

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Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas to You!

Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season! Use this time to cherish your loved ones, invite new faces to celebrate, and enjoy these precious moments. Regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, political opinions, bank account statements, or anything else we choose to divide us, take part in the magic of the season and love anyway. I am blessed to have you in this treasured part of my life. May you be surrounded by love & joy on this happy day. Merry, merry! Xx.

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