Sweating the not so Small Stuff – Vegan Cookie Bars, Plus More July Giveaways

It’s Somer Saturday. It’s been a jarring week with some shock and grief added in, so there has been jam making and baking and yes, still lots of smoothie making. However, I admit I’m a bit of an emotional eater and I needed some real comfort food, so I made these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars ever so slightly lightened up. And trust me, one was plenty, and you’ll never miss what’s missing.

Slightly Lightened Up Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

(cookies in honor of Amanda’s Birthday today! Happy Birthday Amanda!!!)

2 C. White Whole Wheat Flour (for Gluten Free option substitute Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Flour)

1 C. Rolled Oats (use certified Gluten Free for GF version)

1/2 C. Raw Sugar

1/2 C. Pure Maple Syrup or Agave

(yes this still seems like a lot of natural sugars, my original pre-vegan go to recipe nearly double the amount)

1/3 C. Coconut Oil (original recipe called for 1 C. butter)

4 T. Almond Butter

1 T. Ground Flax Seed

1/3 C. Almond Milk

2 t. Vanilla

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. baking powder

1/2 C. Vegan Chocolate Chips (original recipe had 2 C.)

Method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Combine flour, oats, ground flax, baking soda, baking powder, salt and sugar in a large bowl with a wire whisk. Then, using a pastry cutter, cut in almond butter and coconut oil until crumbly. Add agave, almond milk, vanilla and chocolate chips. Stir til just combined. Press into an 8×8 pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Let cool for 10-15 minutes then cut into 16 squares.

Now for the Real Sweaty Bit. Remember my post about Homemade Pit Paste? Well, Christie’s post yesterday at Turning Veganese reminded me that I’m not the only sweaty girl that wants a natural deodorant that stops me from smelling like my brother Abe’s armpits (sorry Abe) and isn’t going to give me alzheimer’s or dementia. Here is the original post and recipe. I’ve been using it for a couple months now and it’s really, really fabulous (except at Ragnar once where I accidentally caught a whiff of myself. However, I was using Erika’s borrowed pit paste, and yes we’re “that” kind of close, and she did mention was missing one of the oils, so I can’t vouch for it).

Since most of you likely have cornstarch, baking soda and the coconut oil needed to make it, Today’s giveaway is a pre-measured essential oil and rosehip blend that you will need for the remainder of the recipe for 3 lucky winners. It will come to you in a cute teeny tiny oil vial, just dump it in your recipe, and voila, Pit Paste!

Rules of Engagement:

1- You must be a follower of this blog, if you don’t know how to do that, there is a “Follow blog via email” button at the top column to the right. This contest is open to US readers only, since the oil vial is glass and may seem a bit questionable to customs officers.

2- You must like this post (click on the title name of this post, then go to the bottom of the post just above comments and push the like button),

3- You must comment below, telling me how you deal with sweating the not so small stuff.

Winner to be announced Saturday July 21st, 2012.

And now for the real moment you’ve all been waiting for.

The winner of the Lululemon Giveaway is: Sydney Kegan!

Winner was selected by using the random.org service. Please email your mailing address to me at goodcleanfoodblog@gmail.com and I will mail you your prize!

I’m going to suit up in some Lulu gear myself to pound the not so small stuff onto a trail and leave it all behind.

See ya on Tasty Tuesday!

Original article and pictures take http://goodcleanfood.wordpress.com/2012/07/14/sweating-the-not-so-small-stuff-vegan-cookie-bars-plus-more-july-giveaways/ site