Sorry… Austin Powers moment…
Sunday was a day full of just what I needed: relaxation, shopping, sun, swimming, and baking!
The relaxation came after the other 4, and I gotta say, after the insane amount of cleaning we did Friday, then the unbelievable amount of cooking I did on Saturday, relaxation was what I needed. BUT, first things first! I met my friend Kristin for coffee and some minor shopping, and then we headed out to our townhome complex’s pool. It was so nice to just lay in the sun and float in the pool without 4-year-olds screaming and splashing me! Apparently, my sunscreen didn’t quite do its job and I’m now somewhere in the color range of a red radish… hopefully it’ll fade.
The baking was quite fun. I rarely bake, as I have a hard time controlling myself around fresh baked goods, but after reading the amazing nutritionals on the coconut flour I got from Tropical Traditions, I decided to break out the mixing bowl and whisk and bake up some cookies. I searched the net for various recipes, combined them, tweaked them, and came up with these…
Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
1/2 c. Virgin Coconut Oil, melted
4 eggs
1 c. coconut flour
1/2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. shredded coconut
Instructions
Mix together coconut oil, sugar, vanilla, eggs, and salt together. Blend thoroughly. Add flour, coconut, chocolate chips, mix thoroughly. Form into small cookies on a parchment lined pan. Bake at 375* about 15 minutes, or until lightly browned.
These small cookies were a) delicious and b) super satisfying! Coconut flour has, in a mere 3.5 ounces, over 38 g. of dietary fiber in it, thus increasing satisfaction. They’ll be a nice treat, while they last!
Dinner was simple. I chopped up some of our leftover BBQ chicken from the 4th, mixed it with a bit of BBQ sauce and made myself a “hot pocket”.
Wonder what else was inside?
I know, that looks super boring. BUT, I assure you it is not! Inside, in addition to the chicken was some smushed avocado, a little bit of cheddar cheese, and a whole lotta careful rolling. After lightly toasting the wrap and cutting it to make it look pretty, I ended up with this:
See? Not boring!
It was quite delicious, and the fiber-rich flat out wrap made it very satisfying as well!
*Serious question here* I’ve noticed a major down turn in my readership lately. I’m not just talking the usual “I’m busy over the weekend/holiday so I’m not reading blogs” down turn, but a loss of 200+ subscribers. So, for those of you that are still reading (thank you!) what can I do to improve this site? I’m trying to not take it personally, but I’m starting to wonder really, WHY?!
So, for those of you still reading… what do you like? What do you miss? Should I change anything?
Thanks for your feedback, and for still reading this little blog of mine.
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Mara, I think people are just busy with their vacations, really don’t take it personally!
I still read your posts and enjoy a lot, especially Cute Saturday is a must.
I’m heading to Chicago next weekend, are you interested on a blogger meetup?
.-= coco´s last blog ..NYC recap part 1: 5 reasons to love the SOLO trip!~ =-.
I’ve noticed a dip in my readership too, and I agree with Coco…I think people are just out enjoying the summer weather and all the activities that come with it. I enjoy your site…it is one of my “must reads” that I never skip in my reader
(For reasons like the delicious-looking cookies and wrap pictured above!)
.-= Lara (Thinspired)´s last blog ..Ye Olde English…Subway? =-.
your humor is really fun to read!
Hello!
That wrap looks delicious (and the Dr. Evil reference was a great way to start my morning).
Anyway, I’m newer to the blog world and get just about no comments on my site. Being the way I am, I pretty much take it personally but still post anyway. However, I think in your case, people are probably just doing “summer” things and not glued to their computers.
You have a fun blog–keep it going!
.-= Abby´s last blog ..Crappy food and flax machines =-.
I bet the chocolate/coconut combo was awesome! And the hot pocket looks 110% better than any store bought one.
I don’t have as many readers anymore either and I wonder if some have simply “abondoned” blogging altogether for the warmer weather? I thnk your blog GREAT!
.-= Krista´s last blog ..Horsing Around =-.
I think it’s just the summer time
I love your blog!
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..(Untitled) =-.
The cookies and “hot pocket” look amazing! Does the coconut flour have a distinct flavor? Maybe it would be hard tot ell in the cookies with the other coconut stuff in there, but like could you tell in the blueberry crunch? I love the blog Mara. I agree the summer makes me people less inclined to curl up with their laptops though.
.-= Victoria´s last blog ..The View From The Roof =-.
What a fun hot pocket!! Sorry to hear about the burn – I was outside for about an hour and got a little tint of red. Hopefully you’ll be sporting a lovely bronze color in no time
I don’t think you should change anything! I like your blog as it is!
.-= K´s last blog ..22 =-.
I don’t think it’s you hon, I think a lot of readers go on hiatus during the summer. There’s a lot of college kids that read and they’re home on summer break now.
I think your site is fab!
And choco + coconut = fabulous. That wrap makes me really jealz!
Love.
.-= Erin´s last blog ..New Hope =-.
Man, those cookies look great! I keep hearing about the benefits of coconut oil, so this looks like a great way to get some in.
I love your blog and don’t want you changing anything! I think it’s what everyone is saying — it’s summer time, everyone’s out doing different stuff. But it is hard to not take it personally. Just keep doing what you’re doing!
.-= Spiceaholic´s last blog ..Presto Pesto Pasta Salad =-.
those cookies look divine!
i think that the downturn in readership definitely has to do with the nicer weather and people spending more time outside and on vacations!
.-= jessie´s last blog ..god bless america. =-.
I don’t know what’s up…I just know that I usually read your blog in the morning and I depend on it to inspire me about making dinner that night! But now I want a wrap for breakfast…with a side of chocolate chip cookies.
.-= jennk/cinnamonquill´s last blog ..Summer Rice Gratin =-.
delish!!! What a healthy pocket
Glad your 4th was great- and congrats to the hubs!
.-= carolinebee´s last blog ..Yay America! =-.
hahaha have you heard the brian regan skit about hot pockets?? youtube it up, you’ll die laughing
those cookies look amazing- i’ve been wondering what to make with coconut flour!
have a great day!
Those cookies look divine! I also could kill for a wrap like that. I absolutely love avocado; it makes everything better.
Don’t take the lack of followers personally– I think people just can’t keep up in the summer!
.-= Megan´s last blog ..Not Me, Monday =-.
That wrap looks yummm! love the innovativeness!
Like others said, I wouldn’t worry about the turnout! You’re not doing anything different than you usually do to turn them away. Sometimes when I read your blog I’m in shock that you have the ability to even post you must be so tired!
.-= Christina´s last blog ..Italian Sausage Skillet =-.
i have never heard of coconut flour! those cookies sound amazing.
.-= brandi´s last blog ..Bran in Real Life =-.
Cookies… oh my! I love your hot pocket too. The Austin Powers reference gave me a smile on a Monday.
I wouldn’t change a thing about your blog! I have to agree with the other commenters. I know I’ve been too busy to keep up with reading/posting myself, now that the weather is warm and I am spending more time outdoors and away from my computer. I’ve noticed less readers on my blog as well. Certainly don’t take it personally. I suspect that when temps start to dip again, your readership will spike.
.-= Nicole (Sweetie Pie)´s last blog ..Making My ‘Scape =-.
That wrap looks SO good
I also have noticed less readers and was wondering if it was something I did…maybe people are less into food blogging in general, or more likely, spending more time away from the computer? I know I’m commenting/reading blogs less…I was getting too into it for awhile, and I decided that for me, that’s what has to work right now. I think your blog is GREAT and I wouldn’t change a thing, honestly.
.-= Hallie´s last blog ..Baked Beans for a Lazy Independence Day =-.
I love that cookie recipe!
I used to love hot pockets when I was a kid. Especially the pepperoni pizza and barbecue beef flavors. Sounds rather nasty now.
.-= Alison´s last blog ..My Day Off =-.
I read daily but rarely post. I LOVE your food ideas! I’m on a mission to make one new thing each week & get some good ideas from your blog. I honestly dont know what you could do to increase readers since I’m a new-ish blogger myself. I do have you linked to my blog though & hope some of my readers wander your way!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..I’m in love…. =-.
I am not much for sweets either, but those cookies look great! Love your hot pocket idea too – I think the toasting makes the wraps taste better.
Not sure why your readership is down – I like the way the blog is now!
Happy Monday!
.-= Biz´s last blog ..Beef Cobb Salad =-.
My list of blogs to read on a regular basis has grown to ridiculous proportions, and I just don’t have time to check them all every day!
I love looking at the food pictures; you’re not doing anything wrong.
I avoid wheat as much as possible, so I’m definitely giving those cookies a try the next time I’m in a baking mood. (Which actually doesn’t happen too much during summer.)
I’m in agreement with everyone else – and you and I also discussed this before. I think the summer is just weird for reading blogs because people are vacationing and not wanting to be inside or near computers.
.-= Rose´s last blog ..Food, Inc. =-.
Um, more Austin Powers please?
I’m chalking the drop and readers up to the summer weather. I wouldn’t sweat it, gorgeous.
No worries about that downpour or readership…sometimes, people read quickly and don’t comment, but we’re here! It’s so easy to feel your worth as a writer/blogger connected to comment scores or subscribers. Don’t let that define ya! You Rock!
.-= Special K ´s last blog ..K Compares: Raw Food Bars =-.
If you keep cooking up coconut chocolate delights like that, I’ll keep reading
I’m totally kidding…about you needing to bake cookie for me to read. I’m all about the Mara wit & charm, and good eats!
Plus you love sushi. I can’t leave a sushi sister behind.
.-= Marianne´s last blog ..I Think I Might Cry =-.
Mara – I love your website, and that you share your meals and recipes, and even your camp. You’re doing an excellant job. It just might be summer and everyone is outside.
.-= Diana´s last blog ..Homegrown Tomato Sandwich =-.
Your cookies look awesome!
I’m sure that everyone is just busy with summer and all that it brings! I’m sure they are still checking in — probably just not every day.
I love your blog — one of my must-reads
.-= Shannon (The Daily Balance)´s last blog ..Try it – Exploring the Cleveland Metroparks =-.
I agree with everyone; I think it’s just that people are busy having fun!
Your site is AWESOME! I wouldn’t change a thing, especially not Cute Food Saturdays – Saturdays are just not the same without them! 
.-= Andrea@WellnessNotes´s last blog ..Weekly Meals (July 7 – July 10) =-.
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