Over the last 2.5 years, I’ve changed the way my family eats. I began to buy only whole grains and more fresh fruits and veggies. I was changing my life and they were along for the ride. All the changes being implemented were healthy, positive life changes, so no one was complaining.
One of the big changes is that I stopped buying processed snack foods so much. Yes, you WILL find Ho-Hos in my cupboard once in a while, but you’re looking at maybe twice a year.
Does that mean we eat less sugar? Heck yeah!
Does that mean we don’t eat snacks or that our snacks are less satisfying to the sweet tooth? NOT A CHANCE!
By avoiding prepackaged snack foods, we cut out a TON of white sugar, white flour, preservatives, chemicals, & unpronounceable things from our lives.
Ive learned that, the trick to ditching all that garbage is to replace it. That’s when I started stretching my baking muscle.
I’ve never been much of a baker and I never really liked it. I love to cook. Cooking is an impulsive thing, as am I. Baking is much more precise. One cup means exactly ONE CUP. In cooking, one cup means, one cup… and a little more if you’re a fan of that flavor or a little less if you’re not… and a little more if you want a runnier consistency and a little less if you like it thicker…. I think my personality is more of a cook than a baker. I’m not precise or exacting. I like to wing it and go with the flow and see what happens. This is NOT the way to bake! LOL That was a fast lesson learned.
Positive changes are best made in baby steps. When we make too many changes at once, even when they’re positive in nature, we can burn out fast. Making a change in your life is a marathon, not a sprint! Small changes, one at a time, over a period of time so they have a better chance of becoming habits. This is again where one month resolutions are very useful!
Here’s a great replacement for the prepackaged, processed, imitation food gunk they call snacks. I made a batch for my family yesterday and they are fantastic! Enjoy!
El’s “Yay Peanut Butter Cookies!”
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter (I use a butter/olive oil mix)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons milk (I used vanilla almond milk)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (Yes it’s a lot. We like vanilla. Feel free to use less.)
- 1 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour (Or reg WW flour or put your WW flour in the food processor)
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- In a medium bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and peanut butter until smooth. Stir in egg, milk, and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the peanut butter mixture until well blended. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
- Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Sorry Ash, I don’t know what it would be for high altitude.
~ Today, Thursday (3-25-10) @ 12:39am EST, the Moon v/c until 5:39am this morning ~
I spent the moon in Cancer focused on my home and my emotional connection to the Universe at large. Wow! I changed these three days. My perspective on some things changed. I’m just seeing things in a way that make my life a little bit easier and a little more enjoyable. And I was already a considerably happy person :) I WILL be posting about the experience in the near future. Watch for *A House Full of Spirit*
~ When She righted her course @ 5:39am EST, She moved into LEO where She’ll remain, from Thursday morning until 3:04am EST on Saturday morning (3-27-10) ~
My almanac says:
“Leo draws emphasis to the self, to central ideas or institutions, away from connections with others and emotional needs. People tend to be melodramatic.”
The Moon in Leo speaks to our “inner child”. It’s a completely warm, generous, and whole-heartedly loving position. This is a time when we seek attention. When we want to stand out for our special qualities. Be appreciated for our uniqueness. It’s a great time for romance and any creative activities also.
The Moon in Leo favors: Creative activities, activities involving children, undertakings in which personal recognition is desired, and risk-taking.
Some positive key words for Leo are: generous, honest, warm-hearted, broad minded, expansive, loving, pride, enthusiasm, creative, dramatic
Some negative key words for Leo are: pompous, patronizing, arrogant, bossy, interfering, intolerant, bully, conceit, snobbish, power crazy
~ Moon Manifestation Tarot Card ~
* The World *
Another great draw for me :) I believe that this is a sign for me to know that I am on the right track. I am really finding my place and my joy these days. The past few months have been amazing for me, but I’ve really begun to find my focus over the past month and it feels wonderful.
~ My Plan: Thursday through Saturday morning ~
I’m going to sit down here and type out my experience from the past couple of days in Cancer. “The World” is encouraging me to do so, as is Leo. My experience is all about who I am and my individuality in this sea of souls. It’s all I really have to offer this world. I do so in the hope that my contribution will make a difference for someone else.
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