After a lovely (slightly drizzly) 6 mile run in the park with Jacqui, I rolled out my IT band, showered at the gym, and came home to leftovers. I heated up some of my remaining potatoes with romesco sauce and served them over a bed of spinach. I also added a little crumbled herb goat cheese that was sent to me by Ile de France. This goat cheese was great – very smooth and creamy. And did you know that goat cheese is naturally low in fat?

Along with my salad, I spread romesco sauce and goat cheese on a few wasa crackers. I ended up going back for seconds thirds, this combination was delish!

A friend of mine is getting over a cold, so I decided to bake some “Get Well” cookies. This recipe was super easy to make and utilized ingredients I already had in my pantry. And with oats, peanut butter, and powdered milk as the main ingredients – it’s practically a healthful breakfast! As long as you don’t pay much mind to those 6 Tablespoons of butter

No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies (makes 12 cookies)

adapted from The Peanut Butter & Co. Cookbook

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup powdered milk
• 3/4 cup peanut butter (not the natural kind)
• 6 Tbs butter
• 2 Tbs agave nectar (or honey)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• dried cherries, cranberries, or raisins (optional)

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 F, spread the oats on a baking sheet, and toast for 8-10 minutes, shaking the pan once or twice to prevent burning.
• Combine oats and powdered milk in a large bowl.
• 
• In a medium sauce pan combine butter, peanut butter, agave (or honey), cinnamon, vanilla, and dried fruit. Heat over low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly.
• 
• Pour the butter mixture into the bowl of oats-powdered milk. Stir to combine.
• 
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and drop heaping spoonfuls of batter on to the pan.
• Cool in the refrigerator for at least one hour and then allow to sit at room temperature for another hour.
• Note: I have no patience and sampled a cookie after only cooling it for about ~15 minutes in the fridge. It was soft and chewy, yum! 

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Happy Earth Day! Why eating peanut butter is good for the planet.

Question of the day: What’s your biggest contribution to being environmentally conscious? I take public transit and/or walk everywhere I go!