Hello friends!
Guys, don’t worry, the Green Monster has not been replaced – however, I have a serious crush on Breakfast Cookies.
They’re SO easy, SO filling and SO delicious. Plus, check these ingredient profiles:
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Oatmeal: Oats are a good source of vitamin B1, dietary fiber, magnesium, protein and phosphorus. |
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Banana: Bananas are a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber, and manganese. |
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Almond Butter: Two tablespoons of almond butter provide 30 percent of daily magnesium needs and are a good source of calcium. |
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Cinnamon: Cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on the blood, smelling cinnamon may boost cognitive function and memory, and studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol. |
Not only are all these ingredients healthy choices to eat for breakfast – they’re also accessible ingredients. Why, I bet you have all of them in your cupboard at this very moment! Give the b-fast cookie a try, won’t you??
In today’s cookie:
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1 banana
- 1 T almond butter
- 1 heavy dash cinnamon
- 3 T skim milk
- Sprinkle of almonds
- 2 chopped, dried figs
This was SUPER thick – almost like a real cookie – because I used 1/2 cup oats instead of my usual 1/3 cup.
I added the dried figs because 1.) I love me some sweet, sweet figs 2.) I didn’t have any ripe fruit to top my cookie this morning. Oh did you also know that adding 1/4 cup of dried fruit (like cranberries, raisins, or figs) to your diet counts as one of the two to four servings of fruit you’re supposed to be getting each day? I’m chock full of nutritional information this morning 
So I thought and thought and thought about what I wanted to take for lunch today – per usual, a Salad won out!
In the mix:
- “Very Veggie” mixed greens
- Chopped up carrots
- Halved cherry tomatoes
- Sliced black olives
- Cheddar cheese
I packed some Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette for some dressing action.
Now, one of my faaavorite things about the changing of the seasons has GOT to be all the different apple varieties that start rolling into the grocery store around this time of year!
My year-round, go-to apple is usually a Braeburn – but yesterday at the store there were some of these gorgeous Pink Lady apples out on display. These are one of my faves – so sweet and super crunchy – just delish!
A 4 miler is on the agenda for tonight after work. My motto for the week is run, Kristin…RUN!
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So, Ben and I are contemplating a Winter vacay between the options below. Which option would you personally choose?
- New York City – possibly for Thanksgiving/Macy’s T-giving Day Parade!
- Cabo San Lucas – with friends
- Colorado – to visit brother/family
- New Orleans – neither Ben nor I have ever been
Cabo! You are going to need a weather warmup! We never really got a FULL summer in Iowa this year. Bring on the sun and sand!
Pink Lady’s are my favorite, just had my first of the season this weekend and it was outstanding.
Colorado is great in the winter, I highly suggest one of the ski resorts – great deals this year!!!
I love Pink Lady apples!! Hmm for the vacay I wuld choose either New York or Colorado! Shopping or skiing! Both sounds great to me:)
I was thinking about making a b-fast cookie for b-fast tomoorrow, yours looks great!
Love Pink Ladies, although I want to try the new one that the U of MN just made up, its called Sweet Tango!
OMG, so many great vaca choices, of couse being winter we all would love to get away from snow for Mexico, but all the other one’s are on my list to-do too! I’ve always wanted to be at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade!
pink ladies and braeburns are my two fave apples!
sooo jealous of your winter vacay – my interest would be new orleans (i have never been either!) or new york. i am sorry, but i friggin’ love NYC. however, any vacay can’t be bad so whatever it is will be a rockin’ fab time!
I would personally go with NY since I’ve never been before… but I suggest New Orleans since you’ve never been! I might be a little biased… I live in Louisiana, and New Orleans happens to be one of my favorite cities. I have only made it once or twice since Katrina… but it’s still alive and kickin’. I love the culture, the architecture, the food, and the French Quarter.
wow. that breakfast cookie looks phenomenal. I think I should start making those since on Mon. and Wed. I have an 8AM class and won’t have time to make anything too difficult. Yum! Do they keep you full like a bowl of hot oats does?
I am eating a Pink Lady right now and it’s delish!
I think you should go to Colorado and get some skiing in!! Do you ski?
Anywhere that’d be warm would be my pick for a vacation
I love red delicious apples. To me, there’s none better
Hmmm… New York or Cabo for sure, but I think I’d end up picking the beach. Luck you!
hey – do you use quick oats when you make the cookie? I made one the other day and it did not turn out well. I’m assuming it’s because I used too much applesauce (out of bananas) = but I did 1/2 cup per the fitnesssista recipe. Anyway, am going to try again tonight (with banana) after groceries, but I wondered if I should also get different oats….hmmm…
show the pavement who is boss!
i got a 5 miler planned out for today when i get home from work, and with any luck, it wont be scorching hot out!
i really need to hitch a ride on bfast cookie train, i have been meaning to try to make one for a WHILE NOW. hopefully sometime this week!
Honey Crisp apples are my favorites – I cannot wait to see them in the stores. I love the way you put big pieces of cheese in your salad – I love cheese in my salad, but have a hard time tasting shredded cheese.
I need to get back on the Breakfast cookie wagon again!
Come to Boston! You can’t beat the foliage in the fall. Otherwise, my vote goes to Cabo.
Your breakfast cookie looks so delish! I tried to make one, a long time ago, and it did not come out cookie-ish at all.
I will have to give your cookie a try. 
Thanks for posting!
Ohhhh, and figs! I LOVE ME SO FIGS! I had them on a greek salad last night. Made my little taste buds scream with joy.
NYC! I’ve heard it’s amazing during the holiday season! Although, I went to Cabo last spring and it was also beautiful!
I HAVE to make one of those cookies!
Mmm, breakfast cookie looks great! I love apples. My favorites are Galas, but Pink Ladies are a close 2nd. As for vacation, I’d pick Cabo San Lucas! Fun in the sun…doesn’t get any better than that.
Cabo! My husband and I have been there the last 2 winters and have loved it! Can’t beat escaping the cold for a warm and relaxing getaway at the sunny beaches of Mexico! 2nd pick would be NYC!
My husband and I are considering going to New Orleans when it is cold here in Iowa, too. We sort of operate with a “See America First” philosophy.
I have been to NYC twice and both trips were during December. It was lovely! The spirit around the city was great and every thing is decorated beautifully. I highly recommend it.
I vote for any of them because I haven’t been to any of those places! Winter vacations are fun, regardless.
yeah, 1/2 cup of oats is the way to go on those bfast cookies – so good.
Coco: Yep, it definitely does keep me full! Also, I ADORE skiing, but Ben has a bum leg so if we chose CO, we probably wouldn’t be zipping down too many mountains
Sara: I use old fashioned oats!
NYC OR CABO
Cabo for sure. We are actually looking at a winter Mexico vacay too. I need a warm weather break in the middle of the winter to keep me going.
Good luck on the run this afternoon!
I have a crush on breakfast cookies too. I love that you can put just about anything in them to switch it up, you can never get bored!
My favorite apple this time of the year is a Honey Crisp
I vote Cabo. The other options sound really fun too, but Cabo is my favorite place of anywhere I have ever been!
That’s tough. My vote would be between NYC and Cabo. NYC is so beautiful in the fall with the leaves and gorgeous twinkle lights all around the city. AND some good (but expensive eats).
Cabo, well, it would be beautiful, sunny, umbrella laden drinks galore, yummy mexican food.
Tough choices, but they all sound good. I too haven’t been to New Orleans and want to go someday sooooon!
CABO – hands down! NYC runner up… Love the bfast cookie breakdown, great facts girlie. I gots me some apples from the farmers market this past weekend too and was exciteddd, fall is here
New York City!! I am biased because it is one of my favorite cities in the world but still! The first time I went was for Thanksgiving and we went to the parade and had SUCH a blast. It is gorgeous there in late Fall/early Winter. Highly recommended!!
Thanks for all the nutritional stats and for reminding me to try out breakfast cookies again. I only tried it once!
Apples…I have been trying my first of the season! I didn’t eat a single one all summer (probably not since May) because I can’t pass up a berry in the summer plus I just don’t think apples are that great out of season…but now…watch out apple aisle!
Cabo – definitely!
Hmmm well for your vacay it depends what you’re going for! The Macy’s parade would be SO fun and something I definitely want to do in my lifetime. That would be fun!! Then do you want a snowy or warm vacay?? Either way…I’m voting NYC!!!
Cabo for sure! It would be nice to pack tank tops and flip flops in the middle of winter!
New Orleans!!!
Lots of history, lots of great music, lots of gorgeous architectures and LOTS OF FOOD!
I’m also biased as I went to college there. I love that city!
CABO!!!!!!!!! hahahh
so ok. this breakfast cookie. a girl needs to try it. my only problem. no almond butter or banana! talk about having next to nothing right? what do you suggest i fix these problems with?
I know what you mean about getting pumped for apple season. Honey crisps (my absolute favortie) were on sale for 1.49 a lb!!!!! I totally stocked up.
Hmmm, all of those vacay spots sound great, but my vote is for Cabo. I’m a sunshine and warm weather girl, and the thought of having a taste of this in the winter would just make me a little more joyful.
Whaterver you choose, I’m sure it will be an awesome vacation!
NYC! I’m a big fan of New York and am planning a trip in early December.
Cabo San Lucas! That sounds like so much fun!
Come to the mountains and rent a condo with me and my friends. We will have fun as long as you don’t get any concussions. Tell Ben we’ll go to a nugs game.
I vote Cabo!!!
Hope you’re feeling better soon! I always get sick when the weather changes. Boooo.
I tried making one of the breakfast cookies as well. It seems super mushy? Is that the texture that it is supposed to be? I had to eat it with a spoon. I was expecting it to be firm and for you to be able to hold it?