The working out thing is going great!

Sorry I wasn't around for the past few days. I have been trying to stay away from the computer because I tend to sit for way too long here. I decided to do some baking Saturday night and the vegan cookies I made were delicious! I've been doing really well keeping up with working out. Monday, I worked out on the wii for 30 minutes and today I sweat my ass off doing the wii for 65 minutes! I am thrilled with my progress. My weigh in for today is 189! 2 lbs lost since I started this blog. I have been researching more into being a vegan, and I love it so far. Being lactose intolerant, I find that most of the time after I eat I feel sick, and sometimes even lathargic. My switching my diet and getting rid of egg and dairy products, I feel so much better and more motivated. There are many options out there for people who are looking to become vegan. Vegweb.com is a great starting point for all of you home cooks who love making and baking homemade. They have great vegan recipes of all different categories and wonderful ideas for egg replacements for those who love to bake, like me! Vegweb features everything from homemade bread, breakfast (including "egg-type" dishes!), dips and dressing, even event and holiday recipes, all vegan friendly. I highly recommend you check them out for some different dishes to spice up your eating. My favorite cookie recipe is called Happy Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies. Follow the directions just right and they taste exactly like a real cookie. The only thing I found to dislike is the smell of them. So find a delicious tasting Yankee Candle cookie scent to burn while you make them!!

Here is the recipe for Happy Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies found on my favorite website vegweb.com...

Happy Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients (use vegan versions):

2 cups unbleached flour
2 tsps baking powder
1/2 tsp.salt
cinnamon to taste (optional)
vegan chocolate or carob chips - put in as many as you like
1 cup raw sugar (turbinado #1, sucanat works too but sucks up a lot of the moisture)
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup water

Directions:

VERY IMPORTANT-make sure all ingredients are at room temperature. It will work if they're not at room temp but it works MUCH better if they are. Also while your oven is pre-heating put the cookie sheets you are going to use on top of the oven so they get preheated as well. Preheat oven to 350.

In a large bowl mix flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon (if you choose). Add chips. Make a well in the center and set aside.

In a medium size bowl mix vegan sugar and oil. Mix it well. Add the vanilla and then add the water. Mix it well. Add the wet to the well in the dry. Mix it well but be careful not to overwork it. Add more chips if you need to. Spoon onto ungreased cookie sheets. Put them in the oven. Bake for 5 minutes and then flip and rotate the sheets.(top to bottom,and 180 degree rotation) Bake another 4 minutes and check them.

The cookies are done when they seem a little bit softer then you want them to be. They will harden up some as they cool. I usually go in two minute increments from here untill they get to where I like them.

Take them out when they are done and move them to wire cooling racks. If they split or come apart when you try to remove them let them sit on the pan for 2 minutes before transferring them to the racks.

These cookies have come a long way, lots of time and tasting spent on getting them to where they are now. Vegans and non vegans LOVE them. In the words of my 6 year old son-Mom, you're the greatest because you know how to make the best cookies. Enjoy and let me know if you have questions. Sweet travels.


ChubbyGirlT