Cookies!

My friend Elena from Epics had an Epic Fail with healthier, improvised, chocolate chunk cookies. Not good! Well, as an avid healthy, improviser kind of cook, I'm gonna try and help her out. =D This following cookie recipe yields a yummy, chewy cookie halfway across between a oatmeal raisin cookie ( due to the oat flour ) and a chocolate chunk cookie. Actually, looking at the recipe right now, throw in a bit mocha cookie and peanut butter cookie too. Lol! Well anyway, these are fantastic and so here is the recipe:

2 c. Oats ( I used quick oats, but it doesn't really matter 'cause you pulse them up anyway )
1/4 c Coconut Sugar ( can sub honey or agave or brown sugar or date sugar or...you get the idea )
2 packets Truvia ( or Stevia or just add 2 Tbs more sweetener )
2 Tbs Arrowroot ( or rice flour or cornstarch )
3/4 tsp Xantham Gum ( this is a binding agent. try subbing an equal amount of ground flax if you don't have )
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 c Butter ( softened )
1 tsp Vanilla
1/3 c Almond Milk ( can sub any )
1/4 c Peanut Butter ( or any other seed/nut butter )
1/2 c Chocolate Chips/Chunks
1/4 c Raisins ( or cranberries or dates )
2 packets Instant Coffee ( or 2 scant Tbs instant coffee )

In a food processor or high powered blender blend up the oats into a medium/course meal. Pour in a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients. Mix it using whatever you like. I start with a plastic spatula, then work it with my hands. Now, as a warning, all those suggested substitutions are not proven to be a-ok. If you use a liquid sweetener, you may have to add more oat meal. I think it would be fine to not worry to much about the xantham gum. I did it as an added measure because oats are either totally gluten free, or very low in gluten and without that gluten, it is sometimes hard for stuff to stick together and all that. Also, I tend to not really measure things. So these measurements are close to what I used. I have a pretty good eye for how much something is, so this is about as spot-on as it gets. As for baking, I preheated the oven to 350 and flattened approx. 2 Tbs worth of dough into 1/4 in. discs. You can make them bigger, smaller, thinner, thicker...whatever you like. I use stone baking sheets, so my cookies didn't stick. Bake these on parchment otherwise...or on a greased surface. I didn't time them, just baked them until they seemed done, lol, but I think it was about 15 minutes. Don't take my word for it though. Keep a nose out for if it smells done and then check to see if its light brown and firm, but a bit puffy. So there you have it! Healthy baking at its best! =)

It's a Journey

 While catching up on some daily devotionals I get sent to me via email by the company that I've gotten homeschool materials through, I was greatly moved by two in particular. The first one talked about how important putting on - and keeping on - the full armor of God is. Sometimes we get so caught up in our day to day lives that we start to be satisfied with just a short prayer here and a few quick verses there and rest in " Oh, I'm saved. I'm a Christian. " That's good, but it isn't good enough. Honestly, it was kind of a wake-up call to me. I've done the very same thing many times. Yesterday, in fact. I got so caught up in my day that I didn't really take time to read my Bible or really pray until just before bed, late at night, when I was so tired I maybe used ten minutes of my time to communicate with my Lord. I was sincere, but it wasn't enough to wash away the grime of the day and draw near to Him. As a result, I'd really been battling the enemy and feeling so beat up and full of frustration. That is, until I actually took time today and now I feel so refreshed! Spending quality and quantity time with Jesus is crucial to making it on this journey. I realize that more than ever now and am going to strive to do that.
 The second thing that really spoke to me is that those who are young and/or young in the faith will sometimes look at those who have been around awhile and wish that they had that solid faith and closeness with the Lord. However, we fail to realize how much they had to go through to get to that point. We are going through what they once did, and Lord willing, someday we will be at their level. It is a journey! Some are just starting out, some have been traveling for awhile, and some are nearing the end of their trip. Those just starting out must walk and journey for a time to get the experience that those they admire have. We don't start out with that kind of rock-solid faith and assurance and closeness. It is a learning process! So take heart, you may not be as sure and solid as those you look up to, but if you press on, someday you will be there! Also remember, the people you look up to still fight hard battles. They look to others higher than even them, who look unto others higher, and so on unto Jesus, the perfect example. He is who we really should look to and desire to be like, much more so than whoever is around you that you admire.
 " Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your strength and with all your mind. " Luke 10:27
 " Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: " Ephesians 6:10-11,13-17

Elephants!

 Elephants are such sweet, funny creatures and the babies are darling! Elephants are very intelligent too. I also happen to know that a long-time friend of mine, Elena, who's blog is elenasepics.blogspot.com loves these creatures. =) So, this post will also be dedicated to a dear friend. Elena, here are some pictures of elephants I have collected just for you! I've been trying to figure out how to get them to you, and now that I'm blogging, it's the perfect thing! =)

 Personally, I think the little guy sitting and spraying water all over is my favorite. =)

Winter Wonderland

I know I posted earlier, but I do have to post again. I am sitting here on the couch working on a report for school and mom is across from me at the coffee table working on a puzzle. It is quarter to six in the evening on a Wednesday. Normally, we would be leaving for church in a matter of minutes. However, on this lovely SPRING evening, it is currently 34 degrees and snowing heavily. Mom was laughing at me because I have my Christmas station on Pandora playing. I, too, am laughing because it is admittedly absurd that it is supposed to be Spring and I am sitting here listening to Winter Wonderland and The First Noel while watching the thick, fluffy flakes swirl down. But hey, it is snowing people!! It rarely snows here in the valley and I associate snow with Christmas and the closest I can get to that is Christmas music...so...Go Tell It On The Mountain! =) { Actually, did you know that Jesus could not possibly have been born in December? There would be no shepherds out grazing  sheep in December because there would have been a ton of snow on the hills of Judea. Besides that, Jesus is the Lamb of God, and lambs are born in the Spring! } Bon Voyages!

Happy Birthday!

 This post is for my dear friend Sophie. ( Surprise! I have a blog now! =D ) We were going to get together today, but alas, the " stuff of life " has come between us and we had to postpone. Last week was her 18th birthday and today I was going to give her her gifts and card. Well, one of my gifts was going to be a vase of daffodils from my very own garden. But....it snowed ( on the second day of Spring no less ), and the flowers are worse for wear. =( So Sophie dear, here are pictures of daffodils:  

 I have one other little gift and my card yet to give, but that will have to wait until I see you next. So Happy Belated Birthday and I love you lots and I am SO blessed to know you and have you as my friend! =) Bon voyages!

Spring?!

Wow, I was so shocked when I went to work and my co-worker mentioned that it was the first day of Spring! Really? Spring? It is barely 40 degrees and cloudy, grey, rainy, and veerrrry cold. But it is true! Soon the temperature will steadily get warmer and the sun will be out and more flowers will be blooming and I think the general moral of the citizens of Oregon will be all the happier. I know I will be! Although I make the best of this still-wintery weather, I have become very much appreciative of sunshine. And how do I make the best of it? Well, for one thing, Paul says in Philippians 4:11 to be content in whatever state we are in. I take that literally and figuratively. =D Another way I make the best of it is using my imagination. It's London, England. It's Scotland. It's whatever you make it to be, so cheer up and be creative! Happy first day of Spring and bon voyage!