Oatmeal Jam Cookies [Recipe]

February 27, 2015 By Laura

The fun part about moving is using all the baking supplies.

Flour, and sugar, and buttah…. oh my!

I made Cat’s browned butter cookies for the gym crew. Then I did the Fudgy Brownies that Juli linked up to last week’s #strangebutgood to have as road snacks for Vegas and me. For ease, I made them as peanut flour-dusted balls (and because balls).

Next up is my own concoction – Oatmeal Jam Cookies. Jam may sound strange… but – in fitting with the Friday theme – it’s good!*

*Don’t take my word for it – my boss said it’s one of the more delicious things I’ve ever brought in to work. The he asked if I used “real” butter.

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A Perfect 10

December 22, 2014 By Laura

I am not-so-secretly a teensy bit Type A.

In my head, I hide it well… but no.

1 more day until Vegas gets here for the holidays. I Can’t Focus. So I make lists (you’re not the only one Meghan). Lists of things to cook, places to take Vegas, items to remember to bring to mom’s for Christmas, errands to run, random tasks to complete before Vegas gets here… it’s all fun to me though.

So today I bring you a list of fun things I’m focusing on to pass the time while waiting for Tuesday. It’s a perfect 10. Because I like lists of prime numbers or 10.

1. House Plant’s Mate

Flowers arrive from Vegas on the regular. Last week’s delivery was a friend for House Plant – Christmas Cactus. Now we both have mates from the desert.

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Treat Yo’ #strangebutgood Self [Holiday Cookie Recipes]

December 12, 2014 By Laura

Happy Month of Indulgence!

You know it’s true.

A lot of people try to fight it… but this is the one month of the year when you have to indulge a bit. I’m not saying go overboard with a bean feast, but don’t be trying to deprive yourself. It will only drive you crazy. Treat ‘yo self!

In the spirit of treats, today’s #strangebutgood is dedicated to some of my favorite holiday cookie recipes. Some strange, some just indulgent, and one that’s even healthy.

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Cryofreeze: My Real-Life Frozen + WIAW

November 5, 2014 By Laura

Who’s singing the Frozen song?

I refuse to see that movie.

you’d think I’d rather see a movie than actually be frozen. But no. I got frozen. My friend, Tori, heard me complaining about all my injuries (shit falls apart when you get older, y’all!), and offered to hook me up with a trial for Icebox Cryotherapy. Basically, they freeze you with gasified liquid nitrogen. It looked like I was standing in a cylinder of dry ice – but it’s not as dangerous.

In Tori’s words: “You know how when you bang your thumb, blood rushes to it and it gets really hot because your body is trying to fix it? Basically same body response when you do cryo. Your body thinks you’re freezing to death, so it sends signals all over and sees what’s ‘broken’ or hurt and focuses on it.” Sounds great, right?! It really is great for recovery; in fact, many professional athletes have been using if for years!

Recovery aside, Cryotherapy has multiple other benefits:

Increased circulation
Reduction in pain & inflammation
Assists in a quicker surgical recovery
Aids in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and osteoarthritis
Boost immune system
Decreased fatigue
Tighter skin (cellulite, say what?!)
Increased libido (woot!)
Weight loss assistance

So was it that bad? It was 3 minutes at negative 130 degrees Celsius (-266 Fahrenheit). It wasn’t a cake walk… but honestly, I didn’t ever think I’d never make it out alive. I had gloves and booties on (I have Raynaud’s, which the owner made sure she looked out for). The parts that hurt the worst were my legs (which are sore and injured) and my nipples (apparently common), but I recovered right after. Your core temp doesn’t actually change, so you don’t freeze to death.

After wards, my body felt SO relaxed, I slept like a little baby that night, and hit a couple PRs in the gym the next day. I’d like to do it a few more times for my injuries, but it definitely helped with the general soreness and recovery! If you’re in Atlanta or have a facility in your city, I definitely recommend it!

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PB&J Yogurt Bowl Recipe + WIAW

October 1, 2014 By Laura

Staple foods. We all have them.

Some of us have them literally.

When my boss referred to Amy’s burritos as a staple food… he meant literally. He opened this little gem and found something shiny in it. Normally I like shiny things, but a staple in my burrito? I’ll pass.

He emailed Amy’s and got a scripted response from customer service about an hour later. The person didn’t seem too concerned,but said they send the pics to someone else int he company. Well see… in the mean time, I’m especially grateful I go my food prep!

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Oatmeal Protein Cookie Balls

August 8, 2014 By Laura

My inner fat kid loves baked goods.

So does my outer fat kid.

I really could eat baked goods all day long. Keep your Twizzlers and Sour Patch Kids, I’ll take the homemade oatmeal cookies.

Sadly, cookies aren’t exactly on my training plan. Until now. I strange’d it up in a storm of “use everything in my pantry.”

I balled up a version of one of my favorite cookies ~~because everything’s better as balls~~. I also altered the ingredient list a bit so it can be eaten guilt-free. Not that I feel guilty about eating dessert… but sometimes my abs do.

These chocolate chip-laced treats are just as good as the real thing. Really! My boss ate one and said “oh my god… these are good!” with a only slightly suppressed tone of surprise.

You could probably use any flour here – try coconut flour to make it gluten free. They can easily be made vegan with a flax egg. And, if you’re not ready to bring back pumpkin yet, try mashed sweet potato or banana!

Oatmeal Protein Cookie Balls

1 C almond meal
1 C rolled oats
1/2 C spelt flour
2 scoops (62 g) vanilla protein powder (I used Growing Naturals rice protein)
1/4 C brown sugar, packed
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 C pumpkin puree
1/4 C water
3 T coconut oil
3 T egg white (or flax egg)
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 C chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place dry ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine.

In a small bowl mix coconut oil (softened in micro if necessary), syrup, egg white, water, and extract. Pour wet mixture into the dry. Stir until well-combined (you can use your CLEAN hands).

Fold in the chocolate chips. Make balls of ~2 T of dough, place on cookie sheet and and flatten with your palm.

Bake for 10-12 mins at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and let cool.

Makes about 30 cookies.

*See notes in post above for gluten-free, vegan, and other options!

How have you enjoyed making co-workers, friends, or family stare with strange but good creations this week? The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above. In short, I want to see what concoctions have earned you weird looks from co-workers, family and friends! Post your Strange But Good creations, grab the logo below for your blog, and link up here.

Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂

An InLinkz Link-up

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I’m thinking I need to finally try a clean(er) cheesecake of my own next!

Baked goods or candy?

What childhood favorite would you like to health-ify?

Top 13 in 2013

January 1, 2014 By Laura

You guys like dessert.

I guess that’s why we get along?

Happy New Year!!!

As I looked back at the top posts of 2013, I knew there would be a lot of sweeter dishes. But whoa. Of the top 13 2013 posts, 6 were sweet recipes. What I didn’t realize was that the Work It Out posts are popular too! I’ll do a better job to writing more of those in 2014 – I’ve been pushing it at the gym, but slacking on the writing.

Thank you to everyone for all of the visits, comments, and many, many laughs in 2013. I’ve loved getting to know so many awesome people this year, and look forward to continuing these relationships for years to come.

Enough much! Here’s the lucky (top) 13 to start out ’14…

Top 13 in 2013…

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3-Ingredient Coconut Macaroons

December 23, 2013 By Laura

These 3-Ingredient Coconut Macaroons are the simplest way to satisfy your sweet tooth for the holidays. This delicious, quick and easy recipe is ready in just minutes!

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Oatmeal Jam Cookies [Recipe]