Operation Beautiful

A couple of weeks ago I was changing my sons diaper in the Tampa airport. I noticed a post-it note on the wall above the changing table. Rushing , as usual, I didn't really look up. I finished changing my son and took a quick second to see what the note said , it read

" You are a Mom and you are Beautiful"

I smiled and walked out. Upon returning home and getting settled back into daily life I decided to go through the pile of mail that was waiting for us. I received a book called "Operation Beautiful" to read and review. Much to my surprise, the post it note I received was from this Operation Beautiful Campaign.

The goal is to leave notes anywhere and everywhere to let women know just how beautiful they are ...AS IS, so simple and it takes a second. My 8 year old loved the idea and started making post its for us to leave everywhere we went. She later told me that " mommy it feels so good to say nice things to people"

GOAL ACHIEVED!

Get this book and pass it on, especially to pre-teens and teens, the positive messages will up lift them!

Is there a perfect time?

I came across this article and wanted to share it. This is for all of you MOMS out there that put off taking family portraits because of various reasons ....Be happy with who you are and where you are TODAY. Be in THIS Moment because NOW IS ALWAYS THE PERFECT TIME.

is there a perfect time?


You are beautiful just the way you are.

Where does the time go?

(arriving home from the hospital)

(a year later)

It seems like just yesterday I was holding my newborn in my arms , staring at him in dis-belief, just as I had done twice before with my girls. Where did the time go? How did he start crawling so quickly? Did he get his 1st tooth earlier than my girls?Is he eating solids sooner?Is he trying to accomplish more sooner than they did in order to catch up with them? How do I have so much love in my heart to love them all equally? Why do I want to cry when my kids get hurt(but can't)?How can my son melt my heart with one little smile? Or make my heart skip a beat with a simple, slobbery kiss? Where did the time go? Wasn't it just yesterday that I was up all night...wanting and needing sleep so desperately? Wasn't it just yesterday when we brought him home and shared him with our family and friends?

Maybe I'm just being sentimental...or over sensitive because I know that he is my last baby. Actually, I think I'm being more appreciative. Thankful that I have 3 healthy and happy children and enjoying each and every moment with them. Sharing my heart and soul with them,being silly with them and having fun with them. Realizing that they are unique individuals, with their own thoughts and desires and their own personalities.May I continue to be Inspired to teach them all that I can and watch them find themselves and encourage them to do so. My job is simply to Nurture them and most of all LOVE them unconditionally.

May the next year be exactly as it should.

Happy 1st Birthday - Pro Flowers

We received the Birthday Bear Gift set from Pro Flowers just in Time for my son's 1st Birthday. What a nice surprise to come home and have this little surprise waiting on the front porch! The above photo is of everything received in the box. Which included 1. Brown Plush Bear 2. Miniature Yellow Rose Plant (one rose in bloom) in Terra cotta pot and 3. Mylar balloon. I was very surprised to see that the plant was alive and healthy. The bear, balloon and plant arrived in GREAT condition. I would have no problem spending the $34.99 to send this as a gift for someone. It is nice to know that what is described on their site, is exactly what arrived at my home.

Thank you Pro Flowers for the awesome gift!

and for the legal stuff : I received the Teddy Bear Gift set for Free from Pro Flowers and was asked to give my honest review.

Big Boy Cup! Tommee Tippee Review

My son will be 1 this Sunday and for the last few months we have been trying out different cups. Sippy cups, cups with straws, cups with spouts, you name it we've tried it and nothing has worked. Some leaked, some dripped, some flowed continuously and some he couldn't even get anything out of. Luckily we received a wonderful package in the mail from Tommee Tippee to review. I received a Spill Proof Bottle, Non Slip Mat and 2 Bowls(w/lid) and a spoon.

So here are my thoughts on the Tommee Tippee Products.
The Spill Proof Water Bottle(Sippy Cup) is WONDERFUL, my son feels like he is a big boy and has a cup like his sisters BUT he can shake it upside down and nothing comes out. Also, he is able to hold the cup with both of his little hands and drink by himself, the cup is lightweight and the beverage comes out easily.

Do your kids dump their bowls/plates upside down when eating and make a HUGE mess? This is where the Non Slip Mat comes in. It is a wonderful silicone mat that you lay on the high chair tray or any table. You then attach your bowl to the suction cup on top....no more messes!Why didn't I think of this? This is a great product and easy to use and clean, the non slip mat lifts easily off of any surface.

I have washed all of the products on the top shelf in the dishwasher and they have turned out fine. I will be heading to Toys R Us to add to our Tommee Tippee Collection! We now have our 1st Big Boy Cup!





Now – July 23: Buy any Explora item (cups and toddler feeding), get the second 50% off at BabiesRUs.com (http://bit.ly/cDYhv8)

Tommee Tippee is now available in the U.S. at Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us stores as well as online at BabiesRUs.com.



....and for the leagal stuff...
I received products from Tommee Tippee and am a reviewer for the Mom Bloggers Club. I was asked to give my honest opinion.

Doing Nothing

Aren't there some days where you just want to "do nothing"? Make no plans or just go with the flow. With the business of summer, which is supposed to be more relaxing than the school year, I decided to take today and do absolutely nothing. The girls are excited to just "go with the flow". Today there are no swim lessons, no dance classes, no camp...NOTHING.

So far we have played in the sprinklers in our P.J.'s , had a late breakfast and are now going to get in the car and see where the day takes us. After all isn't summer about not having such a busy schedule?

Uncle Ben's Kitchen Kickoff Party

I was one of the lucky bloggers chosen to host a party for Uncle Ben's Rice! I received recipes, tons of product and decorations for my event as well as a gift card to purchase the supplies. We tried their Natural Whole Grain Brown Rice, Fastand Natural Instant Brown Rice and Boil-In-Bag Whole Grain Brown Rice.

My husband is not normally a fan of brown rice, saying that is either "too chewy" or "too crunchy". Our favorite recipe by far is listed below and even my picky husband enjoyed it! My girlfriends are now brown rice eaters too!

UNCLE BEN’S® Chicken, Apple, Walnut and Brown Rice Salad

Serves: 6 Prep time: 20

Ingredients
2 bags UNCLE BEN’S® Boil-In-Bag Whole Grain Brown Rice
2 cups shredded skinless chicken breast cooked and cooled
2 medium green apples thinly sliced
1 cup red onion finely chopped (optional)
1/3 cup toasted walnuts coarsely chopped
2 Tbsp. fresh sage chopped
6 Tbsp. low-fat balsamic vinaigrette

Instructions
1. Prepare UNCLE BEN’S® Boil-in-Bag Whole Grain Brown Rice according to package directions. Let cool.
2. If chicken is not already cooked, grill in pan under medium-high heat until cooked through.
3. In a large bowl, toss together rice, chicken, green apple, red onion, walnuts and balsamic vinaigrette.
4. Garnish with fresh sage. Serve cold or room temperature.

"I wrote this review while participating in a Kitchen Kickoff campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Uncle Ben's. Mom Central sent me a gift card and other Uncle Ben's items to thank me for taking the time to participate."

Crystal Light Pure Fitness Review / wellness wednesday

A few weeks back I was asked to try a new low calorie, naturally sweetened powder that you add to water that makes a low calorie beverage. Per serving, each beverage is 15 calories. I received grape, lemon lime and kiwi strawberry-kiwi packets.

These new products have no artificial sweeteners, no artificial flavors and no preservatives. The strawberry-kiwi is tart to me but my 5 and 7 year old girls LOVE it! They said it taste like lemondae. The products contain some other ingredients that are a little too "chemical" for me, rebiana, potassium citrate, magnesium oxide, sodium citrate....hmm , these dont' sound so natural to me. It does taste great doesn't have any of the artificial items that they stated..however there are alot of "chemicals" that I tend to steer away from.

Try it and tell us what you think...

www.facebook.com/crystalLight

www.twitter.com/crystalLight

(I was sent 3 sample packets of Crystal Light Pure Fitness by Vocalpoint and asked to give my honest opinion.)

Mom the Maid

There are sometime those little things that get to you....maybe they're defining moments, maybe they're just things that really piss you off or maybe they're the things that make you really happy. Yesterday, I was smack dab in the middle of one of these situations.

My husband was doing laundry all day yesterday(he was off of work because of the holiday)...and I do mean ALL DAY, he washed everything in the house and folded it all (he is awesome♥) My youngest, 5, jumped right in...her and daddy loading and unloading the washer and dryer, and folding MOUNDS of clothing (which obviously means my girls have WAAAAY too much clothing) He later asked my 7 year old to help, she went on to say that no one asked her. Being DAD, he gave her the lecture (that I'm sure that we all heard as kids) it went something like this:

Hub: You shouldn't have to be asked , you should just help

Daughter: But I didn't know

Hub: You should KNOW to help out

Daughter: But I don't like to do that kind of stuff

Hub: do you think I enjoy it?

Daughter: Shrugs shoulders...(like obviously cuz you're doing it!duh!)

Hub: (getting mad now....grrrrrr), get over here and help!

Daughter:(frown)...alright DADDY(in that poor me little girl voice)

Hub: We are all a family and need to work together, if we don't do it, who will?

Daughter: MOM

.....ahhhh, so that's where I fit in in the whole scheme of things. I know that in her mind, she wasn't thinking that I'm her maid, but truly when you think of our roles as Mothers ..how do our children see us? Cooks, Therapists, Chauffeurs, Caregivers, Friends, Bug Smasher, Butt Wiper, Gross Thingy Picker Upper, Nose Wiper, Un-clogger for the toilet, Playmate,Protector, Throw Up Cleaner Upper, and Yes...MAID.

Please feel free to let me know what I left out....what roles do you play?

It's July already!

I can not even believe that its JULY! Even more so, I can't believe that my girls start school again in August....I guess it's true what they say "time waits for no one". Our summer has been pretty busy but also pretty relaxing. I have been trying to stress the importance for our family to "be" in the moment. Thus, we have taken time to plant a garden, lay in the backyard and pick out the shapes in the clouds, make homemade concoctions (some of which I would never touch, like the combo of Gatorade, marshmallows and pop that my oldest drank) bake tons of goodies and just enjoy each other. We like to all lay on the floor and read books, play eye spy in the neighborhood and go on nature walks. NO TV allowed but Music is definitely allowed as we throw a MEAN Dance party over here. My husband misses some of this as he doesn't get a summer vacation but we pull him into our madness when he's home.

I am thankful. Let me say that again...I AM THANKFUL!

To be able to stay home with my kids

To have a hard working, loving and dedicated husband

To have a wonderful group of friends

To have good health and to have healthy children

To have a home and food on the table

I AM THANKFUL for it all

Enjoy the rest of your summer and remember to take each day as it is...don't try and change it, flow with it.

YogaFit - wellness wednesday

I have started practicing yoga again. I started almost 8 years ago when I was pregnant with my 1st child and have practiced off and on since then. My girls do Yoga Kids ....which is fun and calms them on those days where they are bouncing off of the walls. They do yoga may 1 or 2 days a week....they ENJOY making those silly faces and doing animal poses...but more than anything I enjoy that my girls are doing something TOGETHER and not arguing.
I have wanted to go to a yoga studio for the last couple of years but somehow, with 3 kids....I couldn't find the time for myself. As all of us moms are busy multi-tasking and running kids here and there..we tend to take less and less time for ourselves. In order to maintain some kind of balance in my life, I need to do something for myself but more importantly, BY MYSELF. Yoga is that Something for me. So for the last 2 weeks I have been practicing everyday. I have been doing Yogafit which was created by Beth Shaw and is a hybrid of sorts. "She created her own style that combined fitness moves such as push-ups, sit-ups and squats with traditional yoga postures linked together in a flowing format. To make practice more “user-friendly,” she eliminated Sanskrit names of postures and avoided the ohming and chanting sometimes associated with traditional yoga practices. YogaFit was born" I LOVE IT!
Whatever you do, do it for you.




Namaste

WE DID IT!

We DID it! We crossed the finish line of the AVON 2 day walk for Breast Cancer. 39 miles over 2 days....lots of sweat, tears and laughter!


Sam's Mom , Sam and Zenful Mommy at the finish line ! WOO HOO!!! (and ouch...we have blisters!) ...and look at his little t-shirt, isn't that adorable♥

Below is the beginning of Day 1, TEAM BREAST INTENTIONS at Soldier Field!

What an AMAZING weekend! See everyone next year!!!

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

WOW!!! just 12 hours away (according to our little timer on the side of the page) until the walk!

Do I feel ready? Not really, I did tons of little walks between 1 and 5 miles and one long walk of 10 miles. I wish that I could've done at least one longer walk....just to prepare. Mentally, I am ready because I know that once I meet up with my team "Breast Intentions", the adrenaline will start flowing. I know that I can complete the walk, 26 1/2 miles on day 1 and 13 miles on day 2, because I have done it before. I know that if it rains, I will keep going, if I feel tired, I will keep going, if I want to QUIT, I WILL KEEP GOING!

I look at our team Captain, Barb, and see what an AMAZING survivor she is! TRULY TRULY amazing woman! She is an inspiration to us all and I walk WITH her and FOR HER.

I walk for my family and friends who have been touched by Breast Cancer...I walk for my Beautiful daughters, so that they will not have to endure what so many women have had to.

Thank you everyone for your love, kind words and endless support.......

The Nuclear Pencil: 8 Tips On How To Eat Healthy In College

This Foodie Friday I thought I'd link to my cousins wonderful post on How to Eat Healthy in College. We all know about gaining the Freshmen 15....basically eating anything and everything! Check out his post and pass it on! Thanks Griffin www.nukepencil.blogspot.com


The Nuclear Pencil: 8 Tips On How To Eat Healthy In College

Paying Attention

Today I set out to walk 20 miles.  The AWBC is only 2 weeks away, and you need to rest the last week, so this was my opportunity to really push myself.

I had breakfast, got dressed in my favorite wicking yoga pants and socks, put on my AWBC tee and stretched.  I got my water and my fanny pack (yup, I said it...) and had Sam & Gregg drop me off at the forest preserve at 8 am.

It was HOT.  Already 80 degrees at 8 am with high humidity.  But I was committed.  The first 10 were no problem.  Piece of cake.  I stopped for lunch (Gregg brought a picnic) and some Sam lovin'.  1/2 hour later, I was ready  to go again.

Okay, a bit more difficult this time.  It had climbed up to 90 degrees and this portion of the trail didn't have as much shade.  I was trying to stay hydrated but after a while (mile 15) realized I had stopped sweating and it was getting difficult to breath.  Then I started getting dizzy.  I sat down on a log and realized I was getting dehydrated and showing early signs of heat exhaustion.
In the past, I've had ice-baths, IVs and ER visits for heat exhaustion and dehydration.  So I KNOW it's a slippery slope.  I called Gregg and with big sobs asked him to pick me up.  Problem was, I was in the middle of the forest and it wasn't vehicle accessible, so I had to walk out.  About 2 miles later I met Gregg (literally) on the side of the road.  I had only walked 17 miles.
It took a couple hours of rest, 1/2 gallon of watered-down apple juice, a couple of handfuls of pretzels and a 45 minute cool shower, but I'm better now.  I'm very disappointed that I didn't finish the full 20.  But I'm glad I paid attention and didn't end up collapsed on the trail or in the hospital.
This was unusual weather.  We don't see heat and humidity like this until July/August.  In fact, last week it was 58 degrees when I started my training walk.  I seriously doubt it'll be 90 degrees with high humidity walk weekend.  I really think I can do the full marathon on Saturday and 1/2 marathon on Sunday.  Of course,I'm going to pay attention, and won't see it as defeat if I need a sweep (van takes you 2 miles to the next rest station) or the medical tent.  But I REALLY hope I can keep hydrated and healthy and finish the walk.

Where in the World is Sam's Mom?

Things have been incredibly busy over here.  I've missed blogging and missed all of your supportive comments.  I've missed seeing Zenful Mommy as regularly as I would have liked.  (WAY TO GO! on the 5k!!)

What's kept me away from all of you?

** working on my marriage: communication is really good and we've taken some "date time" for ourselves recently

** working on my parenting skills: giving Sam more boundaries, working on language, working on not hitting!

** working on ME!  physically & emotionally

** AWBC training.  Up to 15 miles on the weekend

** Bilateral knee cortisone injections (today!) which should help me with AWBC and general health through easier exercise

** working on WORK.  So busy, but aiming for good time management skills

** fitting in more family time ... really getting the most out of each hour of the day

** home improvement projects: we're doing the kitchen, basement & backyard.  80% of the work we're doing ourselves

WHEW!  That's a lot.  I do have details and will be sharing those soon, hopefully.  Obviously to get the above in, I'm cutting back on blogging (and reading the blogs of you lovely ladies...sorry.)

I'm hoping to get in some training walks with Zenful Mommy before Walk Weekend.  It's so exciting to be walking with such dear friends as Zenful Mommy, her DH and SIL.  I cannot wait!

What "self improvement" projects have you been working on lately?

We DID it!

On Saturday my 7 year old daughter, my 18 year old sister, and my Non-running husband ran a 5k. It was everyones first time except for mine. My sister and I stayed together and finished in 37 min, not bad for her first one. It poured rain, it was freezing but we kept going. I truly thought that my husband and daughter would have given in...but almost an hour in...here they came...they DID it! My daughter was cold and soaked but her and her daddy finished TOGETHER...57 min(walk/slow jog). I was SO SO proud of them both! and guess what...little girl got "the bug" and wants to run again soon!

Sometimes you do what you think you can't and it makes you stronger.

90 days...to a new ME!

I did it, I completed 90 days! P90 is difficult, it was hard to do it everyday but I pushed thru it. On the days where "life came into play" ( like being out of town, busy day and didn't have time to do the workout, or was plain tired) I did another form of exercise on that day or worked out on my day off.

My results:

Food wise: I made a life change, I no longer eat processed, fried or refined foods....YIPPEE!!Fruits, Veggies and a little dairy are a constant! I gave up pop and juices, unless 100% juice...and I drink water, water and more water.

I take daily supplements and have one protein shake a day (this also helps as I am vegetarian and gets in some needed protein)

Now to the good stuff, no the AWESOME stuff

Pounds lost: 15 pounds (and this was NOT a goal, just wanted to `get healthy and TONED)
Inches lost: 6 inches off of my waist (unbelievable)
6 inches off of my hips ( my skinny jeans are TOO BIG)
3 inches off of my chest (not sure if this is good or bad?)
4 inches off of EACH thigh

This is 19 inches ..... honestly I can't believe it...If I can do this, you can too!

I am taking a week off and then on to P90X!!

Spring where are you?

We were so enjoying the warm weather. Playing in the back yard, walks around the neighborhood, opening the windows to get some fresh air.......this all came to a SCREECHING stop! SPRING we need you! My kids fought less, they were happier (and so was I), I got to take the baby for walks, my house didn't smell stuffy anymore....Please come back...please!

My girls are stir crazy and longing to be outside......

Local walker buddy

We've all been told how important it is to have an exercise buddy: someone to challenge you, keep you on track, and someone you feel responsible to (ie: you don't skip workouts.)  

Thus far, I've been training for the AWBC (click on the icon to check my fundraising progress) w/ Sam in the stroller.  Now, don't get me wrong, Sammy is an awesome stroller baby and great training partner.  But he will only last about 5 miles, requires snacks, and isn't the best conversationalist.

Several weeks ago I posted on the AWBC board that I needed a training partner in my area...and got a response.  So today I trained with my new buddy, Christine.  It was amazing!  I felt energized by our conversation and we kept a great pace.  We even walker further than we had anticipated (8 miles) and it seemed like an easy 8.  We have a schedule worked out and will finish 2 weeks before the walk at 20 miles Saturday and 10 miles Sunday.  The next week (Memorial Day weekend) we'll do some easy 4s or 6s in our neighborhoods and then we'll be all set for Walk Weekend 2010: June 5 &6.

Zenful Mommy and her hubby are walking too .. we have a team of about 15 amazing individuals (Team Breast Intentions.)  But Zenful Mommy lives about 45 minutes away so it's great to have a buddy close by (10 minutes.)

I'm very excited ... we have less than 3 months of training left but I KNOW I can do this.  My buddy Christine and I have committed to each other to keep pace and stick together (ie: if one is injured or has to slow down we both do.)  We'll cross that finish line together (hopefully with Zenful Mommy, her super-hubby and other members of the team as well.)

So today I'm feeling confident in my workout abilities, strong and well, GO ME!!

The View

This week on the VIEW

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10 – Guests: Forest Whitaker (“Our Family Wedding”); Jesse Ventura (author, American Conspiracies).

THURSDAY, MARCH 11 – Sir Elton John will be sitting with the women at the table and partaking in “Hot Topics”; Guest - Eric McCormack (“Who Is Clark Rockefeller?”).

FRIDAY, MARCH 12 – Co- Host Kate Gosselin is back and will join the women and the return of “The View: Fashion Friday” with designer Carolina Herrera.


“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other The View branded items to facilitate my review.”

Organic Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies(clean eating)

So here's the deal, I posted a recipe from Clean Eating Magazine last week for their
Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies.You can find the recipe here. I got alot of questions about the cookies:

1. Were they hard like hockey pucks? NO, they were chewy BUT don't overcook...9 minutes is perfect

2. Were the ingredients expensive? NO, I had to buy all of the ingredients but I can make alot more batches of cookies or other items with the ingredients. Alot of the products had recipes on the packaging that I am going to try.

3. How did the cookies taste? I would tell you to ask my girls, they are my "official" taste testers. I had a cookie for each of them in the car when I picked them up from school. They said they were the best cookies they ever had and wanted more. They couldn't believe the were "healthy" and didn't have chemicals in them. They actually taste like a chewy granola bar. This means alot coming from my 7 year old who is a "sugar-holic" and doesn't like anything unless its full of un-healthy stuff.

What would I do differently next time? Make a double batch. The batch made 16 cookies (don't forget to flatten them with a wet spoon, as they won't spread while baking) Our 16 cookies were gone in 2 days . My girls ate the final few in the morning on the way to school. They are delicious and I am sure that you can make tons of variations!

Please let me know if you try them!

Oscar show on THE VIEW

Hey there! Check out The View tomorrow for lots of OSCAR info!

Friday, Mar 5: The View’s “Road to the Oscars” episode welcomes former Oscar nominee Don Cheadle and Wesley Snipes and “Fashion Friday” celebrates “The History of Oscar Fashions” with a two-part look back at some of the most memorable – and perhaps forgettable – Oscar hits and misses, with host and celebrity stylist Robert Verdi. Hosts of “At the Movies” Michael Phillips and Tony Scott will also be on set to unveil their 2010 Oscar predictions.

“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other The View branded items to facilitate my review.”

Happy Monday

I haven't posted on a Monday for awhile. This is due in part to my kids being off of school for a week for winter break, a crabby baby due to immunizations , house guests and just being a little overwhelmed.

My lifestyle changes have been amazing and quite honestly.....life changing and contagious, spreading throughout my family like wild fire.

I have lost 12 pounds , gone down a size, lost inches everywhere but most of all 4 inches in my waist. I am on day 53 of my P90, incorporating yoga and pilates.(all of my fitness activities are done at home)

Nutrition: no soda, no processed foods but still having my coffee as I can't give it up. !☺
I am taking my supplements daily as well as drinking tons and tons of water.

Funny thing...I don't miss the crappy stuff. not at all. I was at my moms yesterday and was reading the back of a package of something she got at Costco. She said to me " don't read the back or you won' t eat it" E X A C T L Y!!!! She then went on to tell me that it doesn't matter what I eat, as it won't make me sick....CAN YOU SAY HEATED discussion....With me WINNING I must say! My younger brother and sister are both taking to a healthier lifestyle and I couldn't be happier as one is in college and the other a senior in high school. They have added exercise and good nutrition to their lives are feeling healthier and have more energy.

I guess Grandma was right "you are what you eat"

Happy Happy Monday everyone. Live in the Moment. Put into your body what nourishes your body. Eat what Nature Made.

BIG FAT CHECK

I was so excited about the check I received in the mail that I had to take a picture and share it with you! Have you heard of ebates? If not , check them out here. Their site is FREE to use and they mail you a check quarterly. You sign up, shop and earn electronic rebates that they mail quarterly. There are literally thousands of stores on their site, just make sure that you always go to ebates and then link to your favorite stores thru their site. My check is from my holiday shopping, I did 100% of my shopping online and made sure that I got free shipping on all of my purchases! Just wanted to share my BIG FAT CHECK

Clean Eating - Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

We have been trying to eat things that are "nature made" instead of "man made" , thus Clean Eating. I found this cookie recipe in the Clean Eating magazine and can't wait to try it. Please let us know what you think! Enjoy!

Here is a link to the magazine's site http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/

INGREDIENTS:
Olive oil cooking spray
1 1/4 cups quick-cook old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
2 tsp flaxseed meal
1 tsp cinnamon, ground
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup agave nectar
1 large egg white
2 tsp unsalted almond butter
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup dark bittersweet chocolate chips (about 40 grams)

INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly spray 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, flour, flaxseed meal, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together agave, egg white, almond butter and vanilla.
Add egg mixture to dry ingredients all at once and combine. Stir in chocolate chips.
Divide batter equally into 16 mounds (about 1 rounded tbsp in size) and arrange evenly spaced on prepared baking sheets. Using the back of a slightly dampened spoon, flatten each mound into 2 1/2-inch circles. Bake 9 to 10 minutes, until golden. Cool on sheets for an additional 10 minutes before transferring to racks to cool completely. Stored in an airtight container, cookies will keep fresh for 2 to 3 days.
NOTE: Substitute the chocolate chips with raisins, shredded coconut, dried cranberries or other dried fruit to give these cookies a new identity every time you make them.

NUTRIENTS per 2 cookies:
Calories: 170
Total Fat: 3.5 g
Sat. Fat: 1 g
Carbs: 35 g
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 18 g
Protein: 3 g
Sodium: 75 mg
Cholesterol: 0 mg