Hippy Cookies

My husband and father scoff at anything vegan, vegetarian, or just healthy in general. I tend to be a little more open minded. I will eat meat, but if I had to choose sides I would become a plant eater.

SO, when my 17 month old daughter was diagnosed with severe food allergies, I didn't look at it as a life sentence, but a challenge to find alternative recipes and healthy ways for her to broaden her culinary palet, without breaking out in hives. Two of her trigger foods are dairy and eggs, so I am trying out alot of Vegan recipes. Today, I am trying out Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies or Hippy Cookies as my husband and father would call them.

Husband thinks they look 'too healthy' and probably taste like cardboard, but my daughter is screaming for more. Case closed.

Ingredients

1 very ripe medium banana, mashed

1/3 cup canola oil

2/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

1/2 cup chocolate chips (vegan, if desired)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine the mashed banana, sugar and oil. Stir until well combined. Add in the vanilla and salt. Stir in the flours, baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon, stirring until well combined. Add in the oats, pecans and chocolate chips; stir until just combined.

Using clean, slightly damp hands (and re-wetting as needed), roll dough into balls slightly larger than a quarter. Flatten slightly with your hand. Transfer to baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes, or until lightly browned around the edges. Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Wedding = Migraine.

I am at the very special place in ones life when I am either attending, taking part in, or am a main character in the nuptial song and dance that is a bride and grooms special day. I have decided that after this upcoming foray into the wedding world, I am retiring from the circuit completely. No more Canon in D, readings of 1st Corinthians, no more 'beautiful' dresses; never again to be seen or worn, as if lost to Davy Jones Locker. The next dress I would like to buy for a wedding, will be the Mother of The Bride dress and the wedding will be for that of my unborn daughter. No more meat pies, engraved napkins, dyeable shoes, updos, spray tans, airline tickets, showers, head counts and RSVP's that people either don't fill out or forget to write their name on.

It's not that I disrespect the entire process, but I have truly come to believe the commercialization of the entire ceremony has really jaded an entire planet of brides to be and their friends and family. People now want a part in the 'show' and not really a part in the old as Moses tradition that will unite a man and woman spiritually (and now legally), for life. I can't turn the TV on without hearing a little girls dream of a 'platinum wedding' or 'feeling like a princess' and being a bride 3 weeks away from the aisle, this makes me nauseated. Not only is the focus of the actual marriage lost on all the starry eyed brides, but the only thing they are conditioned to think or care about is 'their day'.

I'm not saying that I don't want a pretty dress, what girl does not want to be beautiful on her wedding day. However, it isn't about the dress or what everyone else thinks or how impressed they are with the floral arrangements or the originality that the bride put into the guests 'favors'. I just truly believe that it should be about 2 people and not just a girl whom is brainwashed to think that she needs one day to 'feel like a princess'.

When asked (daily and sometimes on the hour) if I am excited about the big day, I have had the audacity to have the knee jerk response to say 'I'm ready for it to be over'. I think people take that is me being a brat or ungracious, but what I am really saying is that I am ready and excited to be my fiance's wife. I didn't say yes to a dress or a ring or a wedding, I said yes to a marriage.

Hell is a balmy 32 degrees this morning.....

After 43 years of our patient prayers, novenas, rosary's and honest devotion, Louisiana finally has a world champion football team. The New Orleans Saints have won the Super Bowl. Never, in all my life, did I think these words would ever be anything, but fiction.

I currently live in Fort Worth, Texas, but I was fortunate enough to watch this historical game alongside my family and close friends in South Louisiana and I have never been to a more exciting party, which didn't end for me until I stepped on a plane at 3pm on Monday. I have no doubt that not even Ash Wednesday is going to stop this celebration, nor will a new football season. This is unbelievable and truly is the stuff Disney movies are made of.

I returned to my office yesterday, just in time to hear a co-worker and season ticket holding Cowboy fan say that he was already sick of hearing 'Who Dat' and there are other, much more important things going on in this country than that stupid game. I am sure that his experience with our win isn't as groundbreaking as it is for those in Louisiana; however, there are several reasons why we shouldn't have to shut our big Cajun mouths anytime soon.

For generations, the country has viewed the boot shaped state with disdain and condescension as if we are the illiterate and uneducated pond scum of the Union. The only thing we are really notable for is our cooking, our hurricanes, Adam Sandlers comedic foder, and our education system. We have long felt the judgemental glare of the Northeast and the bullying laughter from Hollywood and it has hurt our feelings, but we have stayed proud.

Now, and finally, we have something. A phoenix has risen from the ashes of Katrina devastated New Orleans and a state in economic disrepair has something to be even more proud of than our jambalaya.

A new football season will begin in 8 months, so yes Cowboy fan, you may have to hear 'Who Dat' or the emotional tales of what this means for the city devastated by Katrina a little while longer. Everything else going on in the news is kinda depressing anyway, let Louisiana and it's residents have a moment in the sun. I think we have deserved it....

I thought the cars would fly by now?

I can't believe how time has flown and how things have changed! Not only am I out of college and living in Texas, but Stephanie is preparing to graduate this semester from the college of business at University of Louisiana, just like me! Baby Aidan will turn 4 in January and Steph and Josh have another little one, Charlie, who will celebrate his 1st birthday in February. Also, after a lengthy month long search and the inevitable conclusion that he was gone for good, on New Years Day 2009, Buddy returned home to an overjoyed and now very overprotective Steph.

Apart from being very homesick and traveling back to Lafayette often and to visit my Laffy transplants in Houston, my fiance' and I are busy planning our wedding for April of this year. He and I actually got our start in part because of Southernspeak several years ago and his lack of enthusiasm for being on a blog had a big part in our getting to know each other. I feel very lucky to be the future Mrs. and look forward to all the details. The pic of he and I was taken in the Bahamas and it is probably the first and last picture with him in it that will be posted....blogshy.

I started this blog in 2004 and I feel like it's my neglected 6 year old. I have a facebook page, but just don't feel comfortable sharing my musings on life in general or the appropriate way to have a good friday fish fry with friends I haven't seen since 2nd grade or my college professors.

Prepare for randomness 2010...this year is gonna be a doozy!

Have You Seen Buddy???

Our beloved Buddy is missing, if you have seen him or have any information regarding his whereabouts, a substantial reward is being offered for his safe return. He went missing in the Youngsville area on Friday 12/12/2008.

Please contact me at (337)280-7715.

Our family thanks you....