Pumpkin Oatmeal Cacao Cookies

My sister, Julie, gave me this incredible recipe for trail cookies a couple weeks ago, which I hope to share with you soon! But first I wanted to modify it to incorporate pumpkin, since I'll be the first to admit that is about all I can think about in the kitchen these days. That and cinnamon. I love fall and it's perfect for baking. These are so delicious and the plate of cookies was gone in less than a day at our house. They're only about 50 calories a cookie, and they are the perfect mix of what fall should taste like. It's like a fall party in your mouth!

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cacao Cookies
24 SERVINGS 
PREP: 8 minutes           COOK: 12 minutes            READY IN: 20 minutes

SIMPLE	HEALTHY	YUM

INGREDIENTS

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• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/8 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour (I use King Arthur's white whole wheat)
• 1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup cacao chocolate chips, chopped

DIRECTIONS

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1. Preheat oven to 325º.
2. In a large bowl (or mixer), combine the first 5 ingredients (applesauce, honey, pumkin puree, egg, and vanilla).
3. Add all the dry ingredients and mix together.
4. Hand mix in cacao chips.
5. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12 minutes, or until golden brown on the bottoms.

NUTRITION FACTS

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    1 cookie serving    51 calories   .5g fat   10.5g carbs    1.6g protein    3.7g sugar   

Enjoy!
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Healthy Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and Cheese is a definite comfort food. Whenever I need a quick and easy warm meal, this is usually where I turn. Except every time I do, that little healthy angel on my shoulder reminds me how unhealthy it is.

As a result - I've searched and searched for a good homemade macaroni recipe, and my friends, this one is it! With less than 400 calories per serving, you also get your veggies, calcium, vitamin A, and other good things your body will thank you for later.

Healthy Baked Macaroni and Cheese
6 SERVINGS 
PREP: 25 minutes           COOK: 25 minutes            READY IN: 50 minutes

SIMPLE	HEALTHY	YUM

INGREDIENTS

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• 3 tablespoons plain dry breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1 package (10 or 16 ounces) frozen spinach, thawed
• 1 3/4 cups low-fat milk
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 8 ounces elbow macaroni (or any short pasta)

DIRECTIONS

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1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Grease an 8-inch square (or 2-quart) baking dish.
2. Mix breadcrumbs, oil, and paprika in a small bowl.
3. Put thawed spinach in a strainer and press out the excess moisture.
4. Pour 1 1/2 cups milk in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until steaming. Whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup milk and flour in a separate small bowl. Mix in with hot milk, whisking consistently, until sauce thickens. (Takes about 2-3 minutes.)  
5. Once sauce is thickened, remove from heat and add cheese until melted. Stir in cottage cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
6. Cook pasta until almost tender (it will continue to cook during baking). Drain and add to milk mixture; mix well. Pour 1/2 of the pasta mixture into prepared baking dish. Spread thawed spinach on top, followed by the remaining pasta. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
7. Bake the casserole until golden brown, about 25 minutes.

NUTRITION FACTS

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    1 cup serving    396 calories   16.2 g fat   38.4 g carbs    25 g protein    5.7 g sugar   

Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Eating Well
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