Big Baby, Heart Run and Whole Wheat Treat Cookies

I confess:  When I’m feeling low and the clouds are falling, the first person on my call list is my mom.  Dad’s a good “ear to chew” as well but he is less sympathetic and usually offers more logical sense than sympathy.  Sometimes when you just want to gush with emotion, it’s Mom who knows how to listen. 

Earlier this week when the flu bug was hanging on and I was feeling sorry for my self, I called my Mom.   First I apologized for calling her just to cry then proceeded to cry about my worries, about other peoples worries.  I cried about things that have nothing to do with my life such as Charlie Sheen, The Oscar losers.   I also found enough tears to cry about crying.  Once again, I confess:   I’m a big baby who still cries to Mom and Dad.  

Did you know that it’s healthy to cry?  It’s never good to stifle your emotions as the pressure builds inside and very often results in high blood pressure and other stress related issues. 

Who do you go to when you need a shoulder to cry on?   

America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk – It’s this weekend!   Are you ready?  There is an activity for everyone, no matter whether you like to walk inside or outside, or go for a short run or a super long run, the Heart Run and Walk offers fun events for all. 

The Health Expo is held, once again, at Utica College on Friday, March 4th.  The purpose of the weekend is first to build a healthier community, better educated in the ways to live a healthy and productive life through awareness of coronary heart disease and prevention.  Second, the weekend is filled with fun events and donations are collected to raise money in support of the work, research, and services provided by the American Heart Association.  

I have participated in the 3 mile walk, the 3 mile run, the 5 mile run, and the 10 mile run.  This year, I go for “gold” and will run the 30K (18.6 miles).  It should be fun.  It’s not a race but simply a good way to get in a long training run with a lot of other people.  I’m not even sure if there are any aid stations? I’ll wear my hydration belt with some energy gels, snacks for fuel (*very necessary since my eating is still a delicate situation from the bug) and warm clothes.  I’ll start with my 2 mile warm up with Shane. Run the 18.6 miles then I hope to add a mile or two as I run towards home and meet up with Ted.  Ted is running the 5 mile and not looking forward to it.   It should be a great day!

WWT Cookies! Great treats to celebrate a BIG PARTY!

When’s Mardi Gras?  Isn’t it March …. (looking it up…)  8th!   It falls the day before Ash Wednesday, always on a Tuesday.  What’s this post got to do with Mardi Gras?  Absolutely nothing.  It’s just that I stuck a mask behind my cookies when taking the photo and it reminded me of that fun filled celebration populating the streets of New Orleans next week.  My head is still a little messed up from the flu bug so please excuse the nonsense.

Whole Wheat Treat Cookies

• 1/2 cup Healthy Heart Promise Margarine (keep it “heart healthy” with ZERO trans fat)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg (I always use Egglands Best Eggs)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup Lite Sour Cream
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds
• 1/3 cup chopped dates (not dried) – about 10 pitted dates
• 1/3 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Cream the Promise and the sugar.  Add the egg and the vanilla. Add the sour cream.

In the middle of the sour cream mix, add the flour, baking powder, soda, salt. Now stir it all together until well incorporated. 

Stir in the almonds, dates, and chips.

Drop by tablespoons on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake 12 – 15 minutes.

So good. Sweet treat. Whole grains and delicious!

Moist. Lots of flavor. Great for a party!

Have you ever been to Mardi Gras?