Facebook and the Cookie (GIVEAWAY)

I bet you didn’t believe me when I said I’d post here once a month or so. Well, here it is, one month later, practically to the day. I think this calls for some vigorous cabbage-patching.

I bet you also don’t believe that I teach the cabbage patch in my group exercise classes.

Actually, that’s correct.

But I’m doing a little happy dance on the inside nonetheless, as this upcoming week marks the start of my full teaching schedule for M Dance & Fitness, and I’m really excited to be teaching Hip Hop and circuit training more often, in addition to Zumba.

To commemorate the occasion, I’ve created a Facebook page for myself as an instructor/coach, which I have given the disgustingly clever moniker, “LafFIToff with Diana”. I can’t even type that with a straight face, so I guess it works. I post all kinds of fun stuff there, from the next song I’m using in class to workout tips and funny videos.

I’d also like to celebrate with a giveaway for you!

See, back in early 2010, I came up with one of my favorite cookie recipes to date: Raw Almond Cookies. After a fateful encounter with Whole Foods’ macaroons this week, however, I decided to revisit this recipe and rework it slightly to create its cooked counterpart. After an exhausting, grueling, whopping total of TWO trials [mops sweat off brow], it is done. And it is good.

(Please look past the abundance of beige and the absence of good photography.)

Almond Macaroons

Ingredients:

• 2 cups almond meal/flour (I like to use the leftovers from making homemade almond milk)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 4 tsp almond extract
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 30 drops NuNaturals liquid stevia (or more maple syrup to taste)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350*
2. Stir together all ingredients in a mixing bowl until evenly combined.
3. Scoop by the tablespoonful (I use a mini ice cream scoop) onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until slightly browned on top and bottom.
5. Allow to cool to room temperature before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Makes ~20 cookies

“Wow Diana, those sound like the best cookies in the known universe, but I don’t have any of those ingredients and actually I don’t really want to have any of those ingredients so thanks but I’m not making them.” ~ You

I hear that. So I’ll make ‘em for you! You can’t tell me you wouldn’t like to have a batch delivered to your doorstep like so:

And maybejustmaybe there will be other goodies in the package too.

To win a batch of Almond Macaroons, etc. please do one or more of the following:

1. Leave a comment below.
2. For an additional entry, “Like” LafFIToff with Diana on Facebook and leave an additional comment below to let me know you have done so (since your fb name may not match your commenting-below name).
3. And for a 3rd entry, leave a comment on LafFIToff with Diana’s wall to tell me your favorite way to, ahem, laugh it off. Is it a certain workout? A great TV show or movie? Whatever makes you smile and keeps you healthy. Again, comment below to let me know you did this.
4. Finally, you can tweet the following (and comment below yet again) for an additional entry: @soapnchocolate is giving away homemade Almond Macaroons! http://bit.ly/n5hSZu

I’ll choose a winner on July 17 and get your care package out as soon as possible! (US and Canadian residents only, please!)

I’m off to cabbage-patch into the sunset.