3 Ingredient Healthy Cookies

Found this recipe 2 weeks ago and now I can't stop making them! I think Super A laughs a little bit every time he sees that I got more bananas, but he likes these cookies too. They're delicious served cold, hot, or room temperature.

Ingrediants:
2 bananas
1 cup of oats
Mixins! (chocolate chips, walnuts, raisins)
*cinnamon if desired

Directions:
Mash the bananas in a reasonably sized bowl. Stir in oats (you might need less than 1 cup, you might need more depending how wet it is) and mix ins. Drop spoonfuls (or do what I do and scoop them with your hands) onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

I think I've made 3 or 4 batches since I found the recipe. The really neat thing about these is if you eat a couple, you're really just eating a banana, some oatmeal, and maybe a few chocolate chips. You could do a healthier option and go for raisins (ooh, banana bread cookies!) but then I would really recommend adding the cinnamon. I usually make a double batch using 4 bananas, and that usually requires 2 cookie sheets. They're not as good after the 2nd or 3rd day though, fyi.

Enjoy!

Put Down the Coffee!

and pick up the tea instead!

Many studies have been done involving tea, and it has been proven time and again to be good for you. What's more, tea has many health benefits coffee does not. It has more varieties and flavors (from standard green tea to fruit flavored tea to chamomile and mint to coconut and chocolate) and less caffeine (which means more sleep for you).

Super A got me into drinking tea last year, and I'm glad he did. I found out that I prefer black tea, usually flavored in with fruit or vanilla. Cinnamon Apple is another really yummy one, and it emits this delicious smell perfect for rainy days. Then there's a loose leaf tea called Urbane Cookie that is a mix of rooibos and black tea with cacao nibs, coconut, and apple pieces in it. I'm enjoying it immensely, but I'm excited to finish off the teas I do have and try more yummy flavors!

(Infographic borrowed from Greatist - link to article at bottom of page.)

http://greatist.com/health/how-to-brew-perfect-cup-tea

Apples: A College Student's Ideal Snack

Recently I've been looking into eating more healthy foods and whole foods (because I started training for triathlons and running races). Part of this is due to being crazy hungry a lot of the time, so instead of reaching for Cheese-Its or Animal Crackers, I want to grab something that is actually going to fill me up.

Apples are a solid, healthy choice. First of all, they're a fruit. There's a variety of "species" of apples, from tart Granny Smith to the ever-popular Fuji, to my current favorite, the Braeburn. It's kinda tart and kinda sweet, so it's a nice balance.

Second of all, they're cheap. I can get Granny Smith, Red Delicious, and possibly Fuji apples from my campus dining hall, but at the store (Trader Joe's is my closest grocery), I can get nicer, larger, apples for $.70 apiece. Cheaper (and healthier) than a 100-calorie pack from a vending machine!

Third of all, they're less than 100 calories and have a good amount of fiber. The sugar in them is natural sugar, not the corn syrup and long and hard to pronounce "ose"s listed on packaged food, so it's good when you're craving something sweet.

Fourth, you can do so many different things with apples!

Apples and PB (or yogurt)
Plain ol' Apple Slices (cut in quarters and remove core)
"Baked" Apple Slices (cut into thin slices and core, place in microwave safe bowl, heat for ~3 minutes, add seasoning as desired)
Homemade Applesauce (15 minute version)
Apple Pie Replacement
Apple Oatmeal Cookies

Do you have any favorite apple-based snacks?

You Need To Think Big!

This past weekend I completed my first triathlon ever. This time one year ago, I could barely run a mile. Then my friend (one of the girls who lived on my floor) challenged me to run a half marathon with her. It took a few weeks, but she convinced me. This then opened the door to several of my guy friends successfully getting me to join the triathlon team. My time this weekend was just under an hour and 20 minutes for a sprint distance tri.

This is only one example of the power of dreaming big. Everyone has their own story, their own goal they reached, their own dream accomplished. Greatist.com does a great job outlining the importance of dreaming big and reaching your goals - and keep going after that!

My next "athletic" dream? Beat my half marathon and sprint tri finish times, and finish an Olympic distance tri. It feels like a long way off, but you know what they say about shooting for the stars.

Why You Should Get an Internship

Internships - you know, those summer jobs that are closer to real jobs than waitressing or delivering pizzas. They can actually be quite fun. Some colleges have centers where you can go and get help on your resume or have an interview. Some companies even have online applications you can fill out for an internship opportunity. Seriously, look into it!

1. Resume builder - Get good experience/more experience/at least a decent job on there. Employers will be more impressed with your resume when you graduate and have at least one job and/or internship you can talk about.
2. Earn money - No brainer.
3. Connect with people in your field - The people you work with/for might know others in your field and can help you network.
4. Stay busy - Keep from being bored/forgetting everything you learned over the past year!
5. It can be fun - mine is! Try to get one that sounds interesting to you.
6. Learn what field you don't want to get into - If nothing else, you'll learn what you do/do not want to do.

Accept It: You ARE Beautiful

One of my friends shared this video with me today. It's definitely worth watching, please do! I hope it will at least make you smile.

What You See, What Others See

Power Packed Breakfast Cookies

Breakfast is one meal most college students (and adults in general) don't make themselves find time for. If you're one of those people, or you can't each much right when you wake up, these might be a good alternative. I haven't tried them yet, but they should be fairly simple to make since they only require a mixing bowl, a spoon, and baking sheet. Enjoy!

Breakfast: Power Packed Breakfast Cookies

Make a batch of these ahead  of time, wrap individually in saran wrap and throw in the freezer. In the morning grab one, remove saran wrap, pop in the microwave for 10 seconds (or not) and pair with a Greek yogurt or one hard-boiled egg (make those ahead of time too). Pair with a cup of coffee because it is just so delicious. In fact, dunk in coffee for added goodness.

Ingredients

2 large eggs

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup canola oil or applesauce

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/3 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup dried cherries or other dried fruit

1/3 cup raisins, seedless

1.5 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup raw oats (either quick or old-fashioned will work)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup sliced almonds or chopped walnuts

1/3 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, lightly beat egg. Stir in brown sugar and oil. Add spices and dried fruit. Mix.

In a medium bowl, combine all remaining ingredients.

Gently stir flour mixture into egg mixture until everything is just combined (be care not to overmix).

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with non-stock oil. Drop 2 tablespoons cookie dough each about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten with damp hands (rinse in water) to assure more even cooking.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until set and very lightly browned at the edges.

Yield: 16 cookies

Source: I can't remember, but I would surely thank them if I knew.