ashleyd /

Cookie Friday Goodness

I absolutely love making people smile. Sometimes it is through random acts of kindness and other times it through planned baking adventures. During my last three positions I’ve quickly become known as the go to baker for birthday celebrations, off sites, and random surprises. Over the past few years my co-workers have declared their favorites! This cookie, while unhealthy in every way possible, is delicious in moderation and makes the perfect treat. I love that the coconut adds a punch of summer to what could otherwise be a very basic cookie.  I originally found a recipe similar to this on allrecipes and then altered it to leave out the nuts, add some whole wheat flour to make them a bit healthier, substitute white chocolate for semisweet, decreased the sugar some, and bake them for 11 minutes normally!

Oatmeal Chocolate Coconut Chewy (white chips)

Oatmeal White Chocolate Coconut Chewy Cookies

Ingredients
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cups wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • 3/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 12oz bag white chocolate chips
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
    Directions
    1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
    2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the milk and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture until well blended. Stir in the oats, white chocolate chips, cinnamon, and coconut until evenly distributed. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.
    3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven for a chewy cookie or 14 minutes for a firmer cookie.
    4. Cool for 1 minute on the cookie sheet and then remove to wire rack. Cool completely and then store in tightly sealed container.

    Yields 5 dozen delicious bites of chewy goodness! I highly recommend sharing them with others and removing them from your home as soon as possible as they are addicting!

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Whole Bag O’ Gluten Free Goodness

On our way to Lauren’s party Sunday, Bo and I had the great opportunity to stop by Union Square. Union Square is one of my favorite places in NYC during the summer months. It is always bustling with excitement and activities including the weekly farmer’s market, musician, and art festivals. It isn’t quite as touristy as other areas of the city north and south of this bohemian hub.

This Sunday was no different than most in that a local festival was taking place. This festival was in honor of NYC Grows. NYC Grows is the New York park restoration campaign.

The event featured many local and eco friendly companies such as Nature’s Path, Stonyfield Farm, Brooklyn co-op, and others. We had the opportunity to try some local sriracha sauce which was AMAZING, sample new smoothies, and try some of the new Nature’s Path products I’ve seen online.

Bo knows he is married to a health and food blogger and therefore grabbed a few extra samples for me to try since I couldn’t reached the table due to congestion. This morning I was able to sample the first of these Nature’s Path treats.

The Organic Whole O’s did not disappoint. Instead, the pleasantly surprised both me and Bo! Neither of us knew what to expect based on the gluten free statements. But, the corn and rice mix was deliciously fresh and crunchy with just a tad of sweetness. There was no cardboard consistency or aftertaste. Instead, these gluten free, wheat free, and trans fat free little o’s were a perfect morning addition to my fruit and yogurt while alsot packing a hearty punch with 3 grams o fiber and only 110 calories. My only complaint is that they are lacking in some of the nutritional content Cheerios provides such as added vitamins and minerals.

However, for someone who has steered away from many of the high sugar cereals of breakfasts past like Honey Nut Cheerios, Puffs, or others this is a perfect substitute. The gluten free characteristic also makes it a great option for those people who have been missing out on the fun and taste of that iconic breakfast cereal in the yellow box! In addition, Whole O’s are sweetened with pomegranate juice! Who knew? The ingredient list is short, sweet, and simple including only FIVE ingredients: organic brown rice flour, organic corn flour, organic evaporated cane juice, organic pomegranate juice concentrate, and sea salt!

I really enjoyed this sample of whole grain goodness and will definitely be buying it again soon as it makes a perfect trail mix ingredient, desk drawer treat, and stand by dinner option! I’m looking forward to trying more Nature’s Path products including a few of their new bars which were sampled at the Union Square festival this past weekend.

Thank you Nature’s Path for a great cereal option for those people who are looking for a gluten free option also made with whole grains or for people like me who are merely looking for good taste uncompromised by artificial ingredients!

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Get by with a little help from my friends…

A while back, I reached out to Meghann in hopes of some clarity around marathon training. Bo and I were trying to decide whether we needed to join a formal marathon training group/cause or whether we could train for the marathon as a couple without the power of a team. 

Meghann is frequently a running inspiration for many bloggers and readers alike. She has gone from zero to hero in just a few short years. In fact, she ran her first 5k in March of 2008

Then, in June of 2009 she ran her first marathon with a little help from her friend and fellow blogger, Bobbi!!

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My goal for the NYC 2010 Marathon is to be smiling this much during the last mile! Hopefully some of Meghann’s tips, tricks, and insight below will provide you with the same, great inspiration it gave me!

1) How long had you been a runner when you decided to train for a marathon?
I started running in January 2008 and began officially training for my first marathon in February 2009. So, I guess you can say I had been running for exactly a year before training for my first. J
2) What was the turning point or moment when you decided a marathon was your next race event?
The moment came when I volunteered for the Disney Marathon in January of 09. There was something about seeing all of the marathoners running by at mile 21 that really pumped my spirit. I figured if they could do it , then so I could I! I believe I registered for San Diego a week later. 🙂
Disney continued to hold a special place in my heart and I was thrilled to finally have my own chance to run it this past January. There was something about running the race that had inspired me to run my first marathon that just felt magical. It was as if life came full circle.
3) How many months did you have before the marathon?
I had 4 months to train before San Diego.
4) Did you train alone or with a group/cause/team? Did you ever consider training with a group/cause?
For my first marathon I trained with Team in Training in spirit. I raised all the money for Leukemia and Lymphona Society, but I never really ran with the group. Team in Training is set up for very beginner runners and they were training at a much different level than I was.
Though I was happy to raise money for a great cause through TnT, I wouldn’t train with them again. For Disney I was on my own.

5) When you trained alone, how did you put together a training plan? Is there a website or book you recommend for marathon rookies who are also training alone?
When I was on my own I took to google to create my training plan. I took an intermediate plan from Runners World and then reworked it to fit my needs. I had success with my marathon plan, but I’m not sure I would use it again. I think each marathon is different and each one requires a new approach with training.
6) Did you ever get lonely on your long runs since you weren’t training with a group? What tips do you have to help marathon rookies build up their mental "toughness"
I don’t mind long runs on my own. I always find gorgeous areas to run and zone out in my music and scenery. I also take the time to think about life. Having all that time to myself with my thoughts helps keep me sane. I would say the key to mental toughness is zoning out while getting lost in your thoughts.
7) How did you find motivation to stick with your training schedule even when you weren’t accountable to a running group?
The motivation came with knowing I had a marathon to run at the end of it! I was also motivated by time. I had a goal in mind and I was determined to beat it!
8) What, in your opinion, is the best aspect of training solo?
Not having to account on anyone else for training runs. You can run where you want and when you want. You can also run at what pace you want without having to worry about going to fast or slowing someone down.
9) What was the biggest lesson you learned during the training for your first marathon?
I learned to do more speed work. I did zero speed work while training for my first marathon and always regretted it because it meant I wasn’t training for my full potential.
10) What was the biggest lesson you learned on the course of your first marathon?
Not to give up and not to walk. Walking only makes things worse when you start to run again! They also weren’t kidding when they said miles 20-26.2 are a bitch!

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If you’ve run a marathon..or 10 before and are interested in sharing some thoughts and insights please email me! I’d love to feature multiple marathoners during our training process to help all readers who are on their path to a healthier, happier life!

Thanks Meghann for all you support and inspiration!

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