Treat Yourself

Hi all,

Last week of the competition and it is really time to focus in. When it is all said and done though, it is important to keep up the healthy habits. I found a gluten free delicious recipe for chocolate chip cookies. Sweets are my achilles heel so I thought I would share this. It makes a small batch and I read good things about it. So keep up the good work and keep looking for fun ways to treat yourself. :)

INGREDIENTS:
1 egg
1 tbsp fat-free Greek yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
15-20 packets Sun Crystals all natural 5 calorie sweetener
2/3 cup almond meal
2/3 cup brown rice flour (Bob’s Red Mill brand at Whole Foods)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
- OR-
Use 1 cup Trader Joe's Gluten Free Pancake and Waffle Mix instead of brown rice flour, baking soda and baking powder
2 oz. dark chocolate bar (58% or 72% cocoa)
Optional: ¼ cup raw pecans, finely chopped

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly mist cookie sheet with olive oil. In large bowl mix eggs, Greek yogurt, vanilla and sweetener with large spoon. Stir in brown rice flour, baking soda and baking powder (or TJ's Pancake and Waffle Mix) until the mixture is combined. Break chocolate into chunks. Stir chocolate chips and optional pecans into mixture. With a teaspoon, scoop up spoonfuls of dough and arrange on cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes.

Variations: Use ½ the chocolate bar and replace with ¼ cup chopped dried UNSWEETENED cherries or cranberries.