Patriotic NYC White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Patriotic White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies- the raw cookie batter is delicious too!

So, as you all know I'm very into eating healthy and feeding the body what it deserves. My swiss oatmeal recipe was a hit so I wanted to share a recipe my sister-who will soon be a registered Dietician-made. It's a dairy-free (aside from the chocolate, lol), low sugar, low salt cookie with more fiber than regular homemade cookies. A healthier alternative, with less calories and less far per serving, for all those cookie monsters out there who still want to enjoy a tasty treat without the guilt. My sister always reminds me that just because they are healthier, doesn't mean you can eat more- portions are always key! To make it more festive
 and patriotic for the 4th of July weekend I added blue and red m&m's.
ENJOY - xoxo

You will need: Medium and large Mixing bowls, measuring spoons &
 measuring cups, a wisp, spatula and cookie sheets.

INGREDIENTS:
2      -   cups Whole wheat white flour
1½  -   cups Grape-nuts cereal (I prefer to use crushed up Honey nut Cheerios with hot 
               cereal/oatmeal mixed in)
1       -  teaspoon Baking soda
1/4   -  teaspoon Sea Salt

1/4   -  cup of  Rice/Soy Milk

3/4   -  cup Canola Oil or Enova Oil (A new cooking oil made by Kao Health Nutrition LLC: 
             made from a blend of soybeans and canola oils)

3/4   -  cup packed Brown Sugar

1/3   -  cup granulated Sugar

2       -  Organic Cage Free Eggs  (they taste better, trust me!)

1       -  tablespoon Vanilla 

1       -  cup dried Cranberries

*1/2 -  cup White Chocolate Chips (leave out to keep dairy)
*1     -  bag of Dark Chocolate m&m's (blue and red sorted into a separate bowl)

[* Optional]


DIRECTIONS:
1.  Preheat oven to 375°.  In medium bowl combine flour, cereal, baking soda, and salt.
2.  In large bowl combine oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs and vanilla.
3.  Add flour mixture: combine by folding into itself to create the batter. Fold in the 
        cranberries and chips (If the batter is dry, add a splash of Rice/Soy milk). Drop dough by 
        rounded teaspoon onto un-greased cookie sheets (if you want the cookie to be flat, press 
        down on the rolled up cookie dough before putting it into the oven). Press blue and red 
        m&m's onto the top of each cookie in desired pattern (You can change the colors to 
        coordinate with each season/Holiday: red and green for Xmas, brown and orange for 
        Halloween, pink and red for Valentines day, etc.)
4.  Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown but soft in center. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets. 
        Remove and place on wire racks to cool down. Enjoy while they're still warm!

NYC Style Swiss Oatmeal

If I wasn't so enthralled by clothing or captivated by the new collections that float down the runway each season I would want to be a culinary student. I love to cook, bake, grill, anything with preparing dishes that are healthy, great fuel for our bodies and of course low on anything the body doesn't need a lot of: saturated fats, salt, sugar, cholesterol.  I even try to make it low in calories, fat and carbs- why not!? I think everyone would agree that that is an added plus when it comes to good food.

Anyways, I spent a few days at home relaxing once I got back from New York, re-cooperating my spirit after the heart break that was so painful after leaving the fast paced, beautiful city- the love of my life (yes, I am that devastated,  through no control of my own which makes it even worse). My sister who just got back from a year long internship as a nutritionist was also staying at home while she studied to take her RD test to become a Registered Dietician (she's amazing and so passionate about food, it's contagious!). Whenever we are together we talk about food, nutrition, which foods are best for which dishes and what things we can substitute to make a baked good less fattening, etc. It's so much fun!!
I've learned so much from her and have picked up a few tricks from the cooks at Hearst Corporation as well as from around New York City that I've combined all my retained knowledge and came up with a few recipes. They're so delicious that I felt selfish not sharing with you guys, especially because these recipes are actually good for you! Of course, to make myself feel better, the names of each recipe has New York in the title. :)
Enjoy, and if you try them, let me know what you think!

Swiss Oatmeal: High in protein and fiber and helps lower Cholesterol.
This recipe is modified to be low fat, low sugar and dairy free.
**Made this myself :)**

PREPARATION TIME: 
7 Minutes - Overnight preparation for best results.


INGREDIENTS:
- To help with portion control, prepare in a 16oz plastic cup
     1/2 cup - Dry, Old Fashioned, Oatmeal
     1/4 cup - Silk Live! Soy Vanilla Yogurt 
                       If you are not concerned with it being dairy free Plain or Vanilla NonFat Greek
                      yogurt (Oikos) works great (it has less fat and is packed with good proteins).
     2/3 Cup - Almond Milk/Soy Milk (depends on your preference)
     1/4 Cup- Chopped Pecans
     2/3 Cup- Dried Cranberries
     1 Tblsp - Organic Honey
     Fresh Strawberries
     Fresh Blueberries


DIRECTIONS:
1- Add oatmeal, milk and yogurt to the cup and mix together. Let sit for 5 minutes.
2- Add pecans and cranberries to the cup and mix together.
3- Drizzle Honey to the top of the mix and mix together evenly one more time.
4- Let the mix sit in the fridge while you cut the strawberries into fine cubes. Then add the cut strawberries and blue berries into the cup. Feel free to add any other desired ingredients such as: bananas, apples, walnuts, other dried fruits, All Bran cereal, etc. 
5- Mix all together, add more milk for a thinner texture, and enjoy!
**For best results, prepare before you go to bed and let sit over night in the fridge. When you wake up the oatmeal will be perfect and you won't have to worry about making breakfast. :)
Ohh...it's FANTASTIC with a sugar-free Hazelnut Soy Latte! Trust me.