Hello friends! Happy Monday!

Thank you so much for the sweet comments and feedback on our engagement photos! It means so much to me that you watched our slideshow. Glad you enjoyed it as much as we did 🙂

As many of you know, today is a very special day for me and my co-biz-partner-in-crime, Jill Felska. The first day of March marks the official launch of our new company and blog! I have a post detailing where you can find us that will go up later today. I can’t wait to share what I’ve been working on so furiously on nights and weekends these past few weeks! I also have a few new foods and recipes to share.

But before we get to all of that jazz, here’s a very important Guest Bender! The following post from Jessie is quite timely given the fact that her own story involves making a big change to her future career that has left her immensely happy.

One quote to watch out for:

“For those of you looking to change your career, I’m here to tell you: it can be done!”

I think it’s clear from this post that I couldn’t agree more!

***

Hello Eating Bender readers! I’m Jessie from The Happiness in Health and a dietetics student/soon-to-be RD. I’m a long-time reader of Jenn’s blog and so I was thrilled when she agreed to have me do a guest post. Four years ago, I was a physics student working slavishly on my research thesis and planning a career as a famous college professor with a research lab of my own.

Here I am giving my thesis defense:

Whenever anyone I meet finds out about this unexpected part of my past, they always ask me: how the heck did you get into nutrition??

Over the course of my last year as a physics major, I slowly grasped that physics was not for me. There was something missing, something unsatisfying. After graduation, I worked in a science job while trying to figure out that missing piece. I did some hard thinking and realized:

I love science. I love people. I love food and health. I love connecting it all.

Bingo! From that moment on, I edged my way into the nutrition field by working in several nutrition-related jobs. I made the plunge a year and a half ago by going back to school. Looking back, I’m surprised I wasn’t intimidated by having to start back at square one. But, here I am, loving my life and my work 🙂 For those of you looking to change your career, I’m here to tell you: it can be done!

To leave you with a sweet treat, here are my favorite cookies: Jessie’s Super-Awesome Whole Incredible Cookies (abbrev. SAWIC). I served a version of these at my wedding. They were a hit! For those of you planning a wedding *wink Jenn wink*, I would not suggest baking up a storm the day before the ceremony. Take it from someone who did!

SAWIC Cookies

Makes 24 cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole grain flour (I used King Arthur’s White Whole Wheat)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• Pinch salt
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp butter or margarine, softened
• ½ cup yogurt
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups oats

Optional:

• ½ cup chocolate chips
• ½ cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, etc – I used Goji berries)
• Wattleseed 🙂

Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine all dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt).

Combine eggs, butter, yogurt, brown sugar, and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients and stir to combine.

Now here’s where it gets creative! Stir in the oats and additional mix-ins (let your creativity shine!):

Don’t be afraid to use your hands!

Scoop or roll into balls and place on baking dish.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove to wire rack and let cool. Enjoy this healthy treat!

Thanks for letting me share my story, Jenn!  Have a wonderful day!

***

SAWIC cookies are definitely added to the “to make” list. Perhaps instead of making them days before the wedding — although I certainly admire you for that, Jessie! — I will make them for a bridal shower. These would make great energy cookies before a long run, too.

Additional food for thought: Girl Scout cookie desserts from SheKnows

I hope they sell them at the grocery store this year. I’m getting a craving!

Abrazos!