dessert

I just want to talk about dessert for a second because my kids always want to know "what's for dessert?" Dessert can be healthy so I usually offer delicious fruit that's in season or a sweet with a nice tall glass of cold milk.

Easy and somewhat healthy desserts:

• diced strawberries topped with a drizzle of chocolate


• hot milk sweetened with a teaspoon of honey


• a bowl of pomegranate seeds in the shell is a fun dessert for the kids (just put an apron on them)


• sliced granny smith apples with caramel dipping sauce


• multigrain waffle  topped with fresh berries and a drizzle of real maple syrup


• plain yogurt topped with honey and toasted almonds


• cracker topped with mascarpone cheese, honey and strawberry


• DIY orange juice pops pour half oj put a dollop of frozen vanilla yogurt then finish with more oj (yummy creamsicles)


• banana smoothy - just banana and milk whipped up with a little ice so it's really cold, sometimes I put a little chocolate

Chewy Andes Peppermint Crunch Cookies

I'm in the mood for baking. We went to a friend's house for dinner and her husband made the best cookies ever!  See the recipe below.

I just love this artist. Her paintings are so colorful and happy. They really make you feel good. This one in particular makes me think of my family. We just need to add a baby and a little boy.

Check out her website for more amazing representations of Latina woman and settings. http://www.carterholman.com/

Chewy Andes Peppermint Crunch Cookies

1 cup unsalted Butter, softened

1 cup Dark Brown Sugar, packed

1/3 cup granulated Sugar

1 large Egg

2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1 3/4 cups Flour

1 cup old fashioned Oats

1 cup sweetened Flaked Coconut

1 1/2 cups Andes® Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips(mix to taste) and chocolate chips

1 1/4 cups chopped Pecans

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy (about 3 minutes). Beat in egg and vanilla extract. On low speed, add baking soda and salt, and then flour. Mix completely. Stir in oats, coconut, pecans, and Andes baking chips. Measure out 2 teaspoons for large or 1 tablespoons for small cookies. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet about two inches apart. Press lightly. Bake for 20 minutes for large cookies or 12-15 minutes for small.