Ingredients

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 whole egg
• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour (or all purpose flour)
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 3/4 cup turbinado sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
2. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, egg, egg white, and vanilla.
3. In a separate large bowl, whisk together flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. Scoop about two teaspoons of dough onto prepared cookie sheet. Flatten dough into cookie shape (it will not spread so make it the size and thickness desired). Place a few chocolate chips on top and lightly push into cookie (I mixed mine into the cookie batter).
6. Bake for 12 minutes.

Notes

As September nears to an end and we get closer to the holidays I thought it would be good for me to pick five goals I want to achieve before the end of the year.

1. Eat healthier and make more homemade meals instead of store bought processed foods.
2. Incorporate recipes from other cultures into my repertoire. (Chinese, Indian, etc.)
3. Incorporate more whole grains into our diet.
4. Cook one monthly recipe from my collection of cookbooks and recipes on pinterest.
5. Creatively use leftovers and not waste food.

You can expect to see some posts about these topics and sharing my progress with each of these goals over the next 4 months.

I have been noshing on this delicious recipe for the past couple days and it tastes better every day. This recipe would also taste great with chicken.

I am happy to say that I am still striving to eat healthier and live better. I am getting back into yoga and pilates.

Ingredients:
1-2 cups fresh chopped broccoli, cooked and hot
fettuccine, cooked according to package directions. (I used whole grain)
Alfredo Sauce:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
2 cups heavy cream
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (1 clove) minced garlic
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:
Wash and cut broccoli to desired size. Boil in a pot of water until soft and drain. Add broccoli to Alfredo sauce and heat through. Serve over hot, cooked fettuccine.

Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic with the butter. Add cream, garlic powder, and pepper. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 to 12 minutes or until thick, stirring frequently. When sauce has reached desired consistency, stir in Parmesan cheese. Add salt if needed. Serves 4-6.

This is another delicious and quick meal to make. I am really trying to change my focus to healthy meals with the occasional cheat. The string beans could easily be substituted for asparagus or broccoli.

Ingredients:

I have been working on perfecting homemade mozzarella sticks for awhile now and this is the best tasting, simplest recipe I have come up with. It is nice and quick for when you had a busy day or when you want a mozzarella stick fix. Most importantly, the majority of the ingredients are things you always have in your home. Try it out and let me know what you think.

Ingredients:

• 8 String Cheeses
• 1/2 Cup of Finely Chopped Parmesan Cheese
• Sprinkle of Salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Pepper
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Paprika
• ½ cups All-purpose Flour
• 1 whole Egg
• 2 Tablespoons Milk
• Vegetable Oil
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Onion Powder
• 1 cups Panko Bread Crumbs

Directions:

First cut each stick of cheese in half. Place the flour in a bowl and roll each stick into the flour. Whisk the eggs and the milk together. Then dip each piece of cheese into it.

In another bowl combine: salt, pepper, paprika, panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder. Roll each stick of cheese into the mixture then place the coated cheese sticks onto a cookie tray. Place the cookie tray into the freezer for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes heat up about an inch of oil in a large skillet. Add the mozzarella sticks and cook for about 40 seconds on each side. Remove and place on a paper towel to absorb some of the oil. Serve with marinara sauce and enjoy!

I am very excited to announce that new things will be happening here. I was suffering from a wrist problem and just had surgery a week ago. I am so happy for a successful surgery and to be able to share my cooking experiences with you again. Starting tomorrow you will be seeing instant changes.

Thanks for your patience.