Friday Runs and Flourless Bird nest Cookies

Friday used to be my day off. No matter what happened earlier in the week. No matter how many workouts I missed during the week, Friday was a mandatory day off.  That fell by the wayside since marathon training.  My schedule has to be flexible in order to get in some distance runs as well as weight workouts.  Today, Friday, I ran.

Shane has yet to say “[woof] ..I’ll train for a marathon with you  Jo… [woof]!” (not sure if “woof” would translate like that. I’m not fluent in dog).  In fact, I’ve never asked if he likes running.  Since Shane was a puppy, he has been walking with me then, when old enough, running. It’s part of his morning ritual. Consequently, Friday was a running day for him as well.  We set out at 4:30 am. 

It was a good run.  The weather was cooler than it has been in a long time.  When we got home, Ted was just leaving to go on his bike ride.  I was thinking about going out again for another 2 to 3 miles but thought I’d get more in tomorrow when I had a bit more time.  So total Friday miles = 8.11.  One more day and if all goes well, I’ll run my most weekly miles yet.  That really depends on whether or not the wining and dining get the better of me. TGIF!

COOKIES!

There is something that makes me feel a little less like I’ve cheated when I eat a cookie that doesn’t have flour, nor added fat, nor granulated sugar. 

Of course it has to taste good and this little devil of a cookie has everything I love included in the ingredients.  It couldn’t fail.

A little difficult forming the nest but worth it in the end

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup Suzanne’s Rice Mellow Creme *Marshmallow cream substitute (vegetarian)

Ricemellow Creme is the first all-natural vegan
marshmallow creme. Made from natural flavors,
soy protein, natural vegetable gums, and sweetened
with Suzanne’s Specialties own brown rice
syrup. Use it to make desserts like rice crispy
treats, s’mores, or a healthy Ricemellow-Nutter’
sandwich. Ricemellow Creme contains no refined
sugars, no preservatives, and no artificial colors or
flavors. It is also fat-free, cholesterol free, gluten
free, and contains no GMOs.

• 2 TBS honey
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 cups Quick cooking or old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup coconut flakes

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Line baking sheets with non-stick foil or parchment paper.

In a large bowl add all the ingredients and mix up really well. *That’s the easy part.

Roll up about 1 1/2 TBS of dough in your hand *It helps to wet your hands to prevent sticking.

Make a dent in the middle, keeping the dough cupped in your hand to hold the “nest” form.

Set onto the baking sheet. After you have finished making all the nests,  choose your favorite jelly

and add 1/2 a tsp to the indent made in each nest.

Bake for 15 – 18 minutes.

They will crumble…

But that simply gives you an excuse to eat up the crumbs…

Is it just me or do the crumbs taste better than eating the whole cookie?

No, guess not. The whole cookie is just too good to resist.

It’s a CAKE DAY TOMORROW! WaHOOEY!  I’m testing the waters and constructing a style cake that I have never done before. 

Fingers crossed it makes the hour long trip to the party.  The celebration:   A wonderful lady is turning 40.  Hint: One of Bonnie’s friends.  She went to Vegas to celebrate.  Wonder if she’ll make it back for cake????