OATMEAL DARK CHOCOLATE PECAN COOKIES

vegan - low sodium

Makes 42 cookies (or there about)

Obviously, these are cookies. Cookies are not meant to be healthful. That said, I tried to make these a little more health friendly in several ways:

• I cut the called for sugar in half
• I used half the butter and replaced the other half with applesauce
• I chopped the nuts finer so I could use less of them, but still have lots of nuts in every cookie
• I made the cookies more bite-sized. This helps with portion control.

Ingredients

2 T ground flaxseed + 6 T of water, blended until creamy (this replaces the 2 eggs)

1/2 cup of Earth Balance

1/2 cup applesauce

1 cup dark brown sugar

2 t vanilla extract

1 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1/2 cup oat bran

3/4 t baking soda

3/4 t baking powder

1/2 t salt

1/2 t cinnamon

1/2 t nutmeg

1 cup rolled oats (not quick-cooking)

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (check for milkfat!)

Preparation

Oven at 350*

1 - Cream the sugar and 'butter'. Then add in applesauce, vanilla, and flaxseed goo.

2 - In a different bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients, except chips and nuts.

3 - Combine the two bowls, then slowly fold in tasty chips and nuts.

4 - Scoop little 1 tablespoon balls on to greased tray, these won't spread too much, so don't worry.

5 - Bake until bottoms are golden brown, about 12-15 minutes.

6 - Eat and Savor.

Nutrition per serving (1 cookie) 70 calories; 6g total fat; 0mg cholesterol; 25mg sodium; 6g carbohydrates; 1g fiber; 3g sugar; 1g protein

APPLE PECAN MUFFINS

vegan – high fiber

makes 12 muffins

Ingredients

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 T baking powder
1 t cinnamon powder
1/2 t salt
2 T ground flax seed whisked with 6 T warm water
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
4 T canola oil
¼ cup sugar
1 t vanilla extract
2 medium apples, peeled and chopped
½ cup pecans, chopped

Preparation

1 - Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2 - Mix together the first dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon.
3 - In another bowl, add whisked flaxseed, oil, applesauce, vanilla, and sugar.
4 - Stir mixtures together until blended. Fold in apples and half the pecans.
5 - Fill greased muffin tins and then top with remaining pecans. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a thin skewer comes out clean when inserted.

Nutrition per serving 200 calories; 9g total fat; 0mg cholesterol; 124mg sodium; 28g carbohydrates; 3g fiber; 6g sugar; 4g protein