Recipe of the Week - Cranberry Treasure Cookies

Now, now, I know it's the new year and everyone has started their diet resolutions, but here's a cookie recipe you'll want to try anyway.  It's one that several of my family members have been baking for years, but I only just tried it myself.   It's super easy, very delicious and by golly, it calls for real fruit.  A diet win-win!

 

Cranberry Treasure Cookies 1 2/3 cup flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 c butter, softened (Melted butter works, too.) 3/4 c packed brown sugar 1 egg 1 c fresh cranberries 1 tsp orange rind (My sister suggests using more.  I just used what I grated from one orange.  It was probably closer to a tablespoon.  Very orange-y = very yummy!) 1 1/2 white chocolate chips 1/2 c pecans, coursely chopped (Totally optional - I didn't use these.)

Preheat your oven to 375.  Use a mixer to combine the ingredients well.  Drop spoonfuls of dough on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly brown.

Yields 3-4 dozen if you make small cookies.

Recipe of the Week - Cranberry Ginger Smoothie

I am not even a "smoothie person".

I am a "I want to try my hardest to stay healthy this winter" person.

This is incredible.  Absolutely incredible.

~~~

Cranberry Ginger Smoothie 

Ingredients

• 8 oz fresh cranberries
• 1/2 of an orange
• 1/2 inch knob of fresh ginger- grated
• 1 frozen banana- if your banana isn't frozen, just add 1 cup of ice
• 3 tbsp raw honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup kefir. If you don't have kefir, you can use coconut milk or yogurt.

Instructions

• Chuck everything in your high speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
• If the pulp from the orange bothers you go ahead and run the smoothie through a strainer. I leave it in.
• Enjoy!

If you want to find out why this smoothie is so good for you, visit: http://ahappyhealthnut.com/2013/11/08/cranberry-ginger-smoothie/