in which she bakes, and I expound.

so something happened somewhere and I turned around and Kaatje can make cookies all by herself.  it's not like I never taught her, it's not like I wouldn't let her until now.  she just wanted to and decided she would and then we had cookies.  I didn't even need to deal with the oven for her.
huzzah! = competent children!

(they were good!)

Kaatje's Tasty Peanut Butter Cookies
(from the back of the brown sugar bag...)

1 C dark brown sugar
1/2 C butter, softened
3/4 C peanut butter
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 C white flour (next time we're trying some whole wheat)
1 tsp baking soda

Heat oven to 375 deg. F.

Beat sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla and egg on medium speed until creamy.  Blend in baking soda and flour.

Shape dough into 1" balls, place 2" apart on ungreased sheets.  Flatten with fork dipped in sugar.  Bake 6-9 minutes, cool 2 minutes on pan, move to wire rack.


~~~
a word here about our family's food philosophy...I've run across such silly things lately in the hows and whys of eating, and am reminded of Jeff's grandfather who just passed away over 90 years old - and was healthy almost to the end (and loved peanut butter spooned on his ice cream...)  God numbers our days, and all the expensive or complicated fad food in the world won't change that.  all we can do is eat our best to feel our best to do our daily work for Him.

I think our way of eating would best be described by Michael Pollan's quote, "Eat food.  Not too much.  Mostly plants."   pretty much sums it up.  then not long ago, I ran across a specifically named "diet" that also encompasses the way we eat:  the Feingold diet, and I was a bit floored.  an actual named diet describing people who don't eat artificial colors/flavors/sweeteners/preservatives?  (people like labels on everything!)


we try to eat as simply and wholesomely as possible, while enjoying the food we've been blessed to have, through thoughtfully choosing what we're going to eat.  we're blessed to not have food allergies,  we're blessed with healthy bodies and active lifestyles, we're blessed with resources to purchase what we need when we need it, and try to buy no more than that.

healthy food = healthy bodies!  (and we enjoy our peanut butter cookies once in a while, too!)