"Treats"

As I stated before in my previous post, I don't believe in treats, as something special, or a reward. Food is for eating, not a prize for doing something you should be doing anyways. Sometimes it's a fruit or veggie, sometimes it's a cookie. Most of the time it is fruit or a veggie, or a whole grain cracker or something else nice and nutritious. Food is not love, either. Love is hugs, kisses, and praise.

I don't want my kids growing up thinking cookies, ice cream, slurpees, freezies, etc are "special" or "forbidden" foods. They're food. Granted, they're empty calories and that's why my butt is as large as it is. The belief that it's somehow some magical food that you only get when you behave or do something in exchange for is what leads to over indulging when it is available. I don't believe in just not having it available or not introducing it, either. It's a cookie. Big deal. They're yummy.

Speaking of which, here's a good basic chocolate chip cookie recipe. They're nice and soft if you follow it exactly. Which is why the descriptions are a little strange.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 cup margarine, partially melted (butter doesn't turn out the same)
1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed - you want it to hold it's shape on the bottom, but still fall apart. I use golden yellow.
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt, like 1/4 tsp
2 cups flour
3/4 bag chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Cream together margarine and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until almost double in volume. Add in baking soda, salt and 1 cup of flour, and mix well on medium. Add in other cup of flour, and mix well again. Add in chocolate chips, and combine well. Scoop by spoonful (a generous teaspoon from your flatware - I use a Pampered Chef medium scoop). Bake for about 8-10 mins, until just set and lightly browned on edges. Let cool on pan for 5 mins, then move to cooling rack.