Here's to a Healthy New Year

So I realize the last three recipes I have posted have been all about cookies. I think you can tell where my heart truly lies. However, like every other American out there, I have been trying to be more health conscious lately. I always run out of ideas for healthy things to eat, so I thought I would share a few of my quick and easy staples. If you feel like sharing some of your own, please feel free in the comments section. I love to hear from you!

- Half a peanut butter and honey sandwich with an apple

- Reduced fat wheat thins and fat free cottage cheese

- Baby spinach, slivered almonds, avocado, tomato, and Ken's Steakhouse Lite Walnut Raspberry Vinaigrette (this salad dressing is awesome)

- Egg whites on whole grain toast

- Edamame

- Chipotle Black Bean burgers from Costco (also awesome)

So if you are in a crunch for something to eat. All of the above are quick, delicious, and pretty good for you!

Snickerdoodles

Ask and you shall receive!

Funnily enough, when I got a request for snickerdoodles I had just made them two days before. I have tried a couple of recipes for snickerdoodles, and this one is my favorite so far. The cookies turn out light, moist, and tasty, which is just the way I like them.

Word of warning: Tread carefully or you will pound half a dozen no problem. I'm not saying this happened to me or anything....

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup butter

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1/4 cup sugar for rolling

1 tsp. each of cinnamon and nutmeg

Whisk the flour, cream of tartar, soda, and salt together. With a had blender or a standing mixer, cream the butter and sugar for about 4 to 5 minutes until the mixture is super light and fluffy (this is important). Add 1 egg and mix, then add the second egg and mix until just incorporated. Add the flour mixture in 4 different additions, mixing after each addition.

Chill the dough for one hour. This is important and don't skip it.

Mix the cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1/4 cup of sugar in a small bowl while you are waiting. After the dough has chilled, form it into 1-inch balls and roll it all around in the cinnamon/nutmeg/sugar mix. Get as much of it on the dough as you can because the cinnamon mix is the best part!

Place a couple of inches apart on a baking sheet and bake for 8 to 9 minutes.

Note: I found some Vietnamese cinnamon in a specialty spice shop and I used that. It isn't necessary but it makes for a really delightful cookie. If you live in Boston, you can find it at Christina's spice shop in Inman square.

Any Requests?

I was just thinking, do any of my 5.2 readers out there want to learn to make anything? As long as it's within reason, I promise to try it out and give you a tutorial, or at least find you a great recipe ;)

Lemonade Cookies

My mom used to make these all the time when I was a kid and I found the recipe! So my gift to you is a taste of summer in these dreary winter days.

2 sticks (1 cup) butter

1 c sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp baking soda

3-4 c flour

1/2 tsp grated lemon zest

1 can (6 oz) frozen lemonade, thawed

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy and thoroughly combined. Beat in eggs and lemon zest. Mix flour, salt, and soda. Add to creamed mixture with half of the lemonade concentrate. Drop mixture by teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown around edges. Brush hot cookies with remaining lemonade concentrate then sprinkle with granulated sugar.