another day, another cookie

If you follow me on Pinterest, you've probably figured out I'm a total cookie monster. No matter how many cookie recipes I've pinned, you can never have enough. Today I'm sharing with you one of my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipes. The recipe is simple and easy to follow. You do have to chill the dough, but only for 30 mins or so! It's kind of a mix of a few different ones I've found online, with my own personal tips. Enjoy!Ingredients:

• 2 cups + 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ sticks (6 oz) butter, melted and cooled
• 1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1½ cups dark chocolate chips (I use a mix of semi-sweet & dark chocolate!)

Directions:

1. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat together the cooled melted butter and the sugars with a hand-mixer for about one minute. Then, add in the eggs and vanilla extract. Beat until just combined.
3. Slowly add in the dry ingredients and mix briefly, just until there are no flour clumps left. Fold in the chocolate chips.
4. Cover and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to an hour.
5. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 325 degrees, making sure you have the racks in the middle of the oven.
6. Scoop however much cookie dough you want out and roll into a balls (I personally like smaller cookies, like less than 1/4 cup of dough. Then you don't feel guilty for eating 10). Also - try making your balls taller rather than fatter, it helps them not flatten out too much. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (or a silipat mat), making sure the cookies have plenty of space to spread.
7. Bake for about 12 minutes, rotating half-way through, or until the cookies have spread out and the edges are golden, but the center of the cookie still looks soft and just slightly under-cooked. Let cool on the baking sheets until the cookies are firm enough to remove. Every oven is different, so I recommend starting with just one or two cookies on the tray to see what baking time works best for you!
8. Repeat with remaining batches, until all cookies are baked.

shakeology: healthy, yummy, easy

Okay, let me start this post off by saying: I am not a health nut. I don't spend tons of money on supplements and expensive vitamins and things of that nature. I've definitely tried some of that stuff out but more often than not, found it to not be worth the money. Until I tried out Shakeology.

Shorts | Tennis Shoes | Fitbit

Here's 3 reasons why I'm loving Shakeology and think it's a great use of your money:

1. First and foremost - it's super healthy. Each shake is packed with superfood ingredients. As much as I try to get in superfoods each day (kale, avocado, things of that nature...), it's not always easy if you're in a hurry. Every shakeology shake has protein & fibers, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, probiotics, and so much  more. All of those things your body needs to keep you feeling full, reduce sugar cravings, support your immune system and lots of other good things!
2. It's delicious. My favorite flavor is chocolate. I'm a HUGE sweets lover, in case you hadn't noticed, and the chocolate shake totally satisfies my sweet tooth! Honestly I would drink it for dessert if I could! If I'm having it for a meal, I'll add half a banana and almond butter to the blender and it is so yummy!
3. It's easy. As much as I'd love to have time every morning to make scrambled egg whites and turkey bacon with avocado and a whole wheat english muffin with fresh fruit...that's just not realistic most days. After I'm done with a workout I usually shower, get ready and am running out the door. Shakeology is so perfect to just put in the blender and you have your breakfast on the go!

If you're interested in buying shakeology, just go to this website and you'll find everything you need!

chocolate almond butter cups.

I heart chocolate, and almond butter is a pantry staple of mine. I also aim to eliminate dairy and gluten as much as possible in my diet. All this to say, I am kidnapping this recipe from this new blog I came to adore today. I can hardly wait to make these yummy gluten free, dairy free treats!Chocolate Almond Butter Cupsmakes 4 large cups (probably 8 or so servings)Base:1 cup dates1/2 cup oats1/4 cup water2 teaspoons cinnamon1 and 1/2 teaspoon vanillaBlend together all ingredients. Shape into cup base either just by using your hands or by pressing into parchment paper lined muffin pan. Place in refrigerator to stiffen.Chocolate topping:1 cup dates1/4 cup maple syrup2 tablespoon cacao1 tablespoon coconut oilMix together all ingredients until fluffy and smooth sauce is formed.Center:1/2 – 3/4 cup almond butterRemove bases from refrigerator and fill half way full with almond butter. Top with chocolate sauce. You can add hemp seeds, chia seeds, or any other seeds to top them off if you’d like as well. Serve, enjoy!

The LO List: Divine Chocolate

Day 18 is here, and we are excited to share even more chocolate with you! Today you can win 4 Limited Edition Divine Chocolate Bars. The chocolate is simply mouth watering! Did you know Divine Chocolate is the only Fairtrade chocolate company that is 45% owned by the farmers? The farmers are guaranteed to receive a better deal for their cocoa meaning additional income can be invested into their communities. Pretty amazing! You can read our previous article about Divine Chocolate here. Now it's time for your chance to WIN some chocolate! Take a look below to enter.Here’s how you enter: Go to our Facebook page to answer this question, “Do you prefer dark chocolate, milk chocolate or in between?”AND “Like” LOLO and Divine Chocolate on Facebook. To increase your chances, tweet @LOLOmagazine and @DivineChocUSA with the #LOlist hashtag.Good Luck!!