Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe has been on my "to make" list ever since I saw it in the March/April issue of Clean Eating. I finally got around to making them several weeks ago and am only now posting about them...whoops! But I should tell you, they were worth the wait!

These gluten-free, dairy free, low-sugar treats are super simple, quick and full of nutty goodness! They boast 110 calories and 1.5 grams of saturated fat per cookie, so while not exactly an everyday indulgence, definitely a healthier alternative for that pesky sweet tooth we all get every now and then! I made these with 70% espresso chocolate, which gave them a nice twist, but whichever chocolate you use, make sure it's top quality!

Cooks tip: we found they got better over a few days and were especially tasty when a little cold from being in a chilled lunch box!

Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
recipe from Clean Eating

1 cup unsalted almond butter, stirred well
3/4 cup Sucanat
1 large egg
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t fine sea salt
3 oz dark chocolate (70%cocoa or better), broken into small pieces

Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, stir together first 5 ingredients until blended. Stir in chocolate.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto parchment lined baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes. Remove to a wire rack and let cool for 15 more minutes.

Pinch My What?

Sometime last Spring I stumbled upon the incredible food blog, Pinch My Salt. Since then, it has been my constant go-to for recipe inspiration, especially when I am looking for a delicious dessert. Not only are the recipes she posts right up my ally, but the photos she takes of her food bring me to complete and utter salivation! I have not come across one recipe of hers that I didn't absolutely love.

As I mentioned yesterday, this weekend I made a Coconut Lime Cake. Not only did it turn out every bit as good as I had hoped, but everyone else loved it too! The description was exactly right, which I find is always the case with her recipes. Oh, I just got to thinking about the heavenly tart lime glaze that literally soaks right through the top inch of the cake, leaving you wanting 'just one more bite'...

When it comes to my ever growing list of recipes I would like to try, there are always at least two from Pinch My Salt! I encourage you to take a peek and see for yourself!

Some other recipes I've tried and loved include: Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Cake, Egg Nog French Toast, Chocolate Stout Cupcakes, Luscious Lemon bars and Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pancakes. And on my list of need to try soon recipes include: Blueberry and Strawberry Buttermilk Cake, Orange Blueberry Cornmeal Pancakes and these Rhubarb Blueberry Turnovers!

Glimpses of a Wonderful Weekend...

Saturday morning we took a trip to our local farmers market. This is, by the way, a huge reason I love this time of year! We got stocked up on yummy produce and other goods while getting a good dose of Vitamin D, gotta love that sunshine!


After a trip to the store for the other necessities we needed and a few sweaty hours of yoga, I made one of the most amazing desserts of all time! This honestly deserves a post all its own. So I will shy away from saying much more than this Coconut Lime Buttermilk cake was an incredible accompaniment to a delicious dinner with the Barkers Saturday night!


Sunday morning I was up at 4:30 to get ready for the Alameda Antique Fair! My Mom picked me up, we grabbed a coffee at Starbucks and headed to the Bay. It was a wonderful, mostly overcast day. We roamed around for nearly five hours and I'm sure, didn't even see two-thirds of the vendors. But we did bring home some great loot!

I snagged a bag of hand picked buttons for only $5, along with the two sweet cotton drawstring bags you see in the background!


Some pink vintage earrings and lovely heart shaped glass necklace.


This fun and quirky rooster pot holder.


And I was able to complete my Pyrex Crazy Daisy mixing bowl collection, which made my whole day!!!


I also bought some vintage childrens books (for our future nursery!) and two adorable vintage serving trays. It was such a fun experience!

And I got to end the weekend by having coffee with Parris Reed!

With the exception of sore abs and a minor sunburn, it was a perfectly delightful weekend!

Sunny Weekend!

Happy Friday! I am absolutely loving the feeling of Summer that is finally upon us!

Do you have any fun happenings planned for the weekend?

On our agenda: family dinner tonight, lots of yoga (preparing to teach my class!), enjoying dinner with friends and Sunday morning my Mom and I will be up bright and early for the Alameda antique market!!

All in all, it's shaping up to be a glorious sunshiney weekend! Have a good one!

image via

Dessert Dilemma

This Saturday Chris and I are having dinner with some friends and I have volunteered to make dessert. A role I love and usually welcome with open arms. Though this week, as I've tried narrowing down an option, I find myself with bakers block! Quite an unusual dilemma for me, since I typically have several sweet recipes floating around my head just waiting to be used.

And so, I am in need of your help! Do you have any tried and true recipes? I am looking for something impressive but not too complicated and preferably incorporating seasonal fruit, even if just as a topping. Thoughts?

Top Seven Favorite Movies

Last weekend we had some friends over for dinner and somehow got on topic about our favorite movies. It's had me thinking all week about what mine really are. I had a difficult time narrowing it down because 1) I LOVE movies and 2) the list is constantly evolving. So after much thought on what I would call my true favorites (the ones I could watch over and over and not get sick of)I came up with this modest list of 7!

The Count of Monte Cristo~Because it is the best movie of all time and I will never get tired of watching Edmond Dantes win back the girl!


Pride and Prejudice~A very close contender for first place and a wonderful classic to satisfy my inner romantic. I saw this for the first time when it came to theatres in England while studying abroad and have been hooked ever since. And I also have a secret movie crush on Mr. Darcy!


Charade~Because I am a sucker for both Audrey Hepburn and Carey Grant! If you've never seen this, you simply must go watch it today! It's smart, funny, sweet and totally intriguing. The Truth About Charlie is a modern version of Charade and also a good movie.


You've Got mail~Because it is an incredibly sweet story and I adore everything about Kathleen Kelly's sweet little shop! Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks really do make a lovely on-screen couple!

Breakfast at Tiffany's~Becaue Audrey Hepburn is timeless.


Mrs. Doubtfire~Because it will always make me think of my husband! In the 7 years we have been together, he has endlessly quoted this movie and it never fails to make me bust out in laughter!


Elf~Because this ridiculous movie gets funnier every time I see it! And after we watch it, the quotes keep coming for days!

What are some of your favorites?

On Jillian

Just a few short months ago I became a fan of The Biggest Loser. I know, I know, a little late in the game! But after watching the show only once or twice, I was hooked. How can you not love a television show where people are getting their lives back and inspiring our ever-growing nation to get healthy?! Drama set aside, it really is a great show!

Anyway, what started out as a sheer annoyance of Jillian Michaels has actually grown into a fondness for her. I suppose because I have come to learn that everyone is motivated in different ways and all types of trainers are needed, I've learned to tolerate Jillian's drill sargeant techniques (obviously not a style I am inclined to). And somewhere over the last few episodes of Biggest Loser, I actually decided to watch her new show that premeired last night, Losing it with Jillian.

To be honest, I haven't decided if I like it or not. It might take me a few more hours to mull it over.

While on her website last night during the show (clever advertising!) I came across the Wellness Cruise sponsored by Jillian. Imagine going on a cruise that is not focused on completely indulging yourself (and inevitably gaining 5 pounds), but on renewing your health while getting in fun fitness classes, healthy seminars and tons of delicious cuisine that is actually good for you! Now that is the kind of cruise I could get on board with!

And on that note, I plan on reading her book, Master Your Metabolism, since I've heard such great things about it

Are you a Jillian Michaels fan?