Putting Something In the Cookie Jar | High Altitude Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal & Pecan Cookies

Last night Jami (get a blog so I can link you, girl!) and I went to the 

John Mayer concert at Red Rocks.

We drove a (generously borrowed) Mercedes S 53 (some sort of number)? AMG.

Jami rocked it. 

We had chips and salsa and salad for dinner.

Did some shopping at Nordstrom.

Did a whole lot of talking. 

And singing. Lots of that, too. 

Sigh. I have a serious crush on Johnny.

But, back to Jami, more than once I wondered where she had been all this time (we went to High School together and never knew each other) and how I couldn't wait to make all that time irrelevant by being the best sort of friend I could be now. She is that great.

So, while talking non-stop, we got on the subject of wholesome living/cooking. You know, being active. Being present. Being a better homemaker. Better mother. Better, better, better.

Plain and simple. She makes me want to be better. Be honest. Simplify.

Don't you love people who push and inspire you in that way??

So, this girl has her own chickens for eggs 

(we do too, they just live with Dave and Donna ... haha), 

bakes her own bread, doesn't eat fast food and avoids processed food as much as possible.

Soul sisters, we are.

Anyway. Inspired, this morning if you looked around my house there is no mistaking.

I cleaned out all the crap food in the house. Have bread rising on the counter. Made homemade cookies with wheat flour, flax seed, and lots of stirring from my two children. 

I played house. Played on the floor. Need to be better about that. Need to be present.

I feel like a fog as lifted and so with that said ... a recipe. For you. For hanging in there with me as I have struggled. Thank you.

These turned out soft, chewy and NOT greasy (often happens here in Colorado). Seriously the best cookies I have made to date. 

{ Chocolate Chip, Oat & Pecan Cookies }

1/2 lb. unsalted butter, softened

1/2 C. sugar

1 C. brown sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla (I tend to use a tad more)

2 c. flour (I used whole wheat)

Flax Seed (I just dump it in - also good in yogurt, fyi)

2 c. old fashioned oats (not instant)

2 c. mini chocolate chips

2 c. pecans, chopped (or walnuts would be good, too)

Preheat Oven to 375.

Cream butter and sugars for 5 minutes (yes, it's a long time - use a stand mixer)

Add salt and baking soda.

Add eggs one at a time.

Add vanilla.

Mix in flour at low speed (do NOT over mix)

Add flax, oats, chocolate chips and nuts (do not over mix...)

Using a 1/4 c. measuring cup, pack dough into cup and place on cookie sheet

(you all have a silpat pad, right? If not, talk to me ... best ever)

Bake 11-12 minutes.

Soft. Yummy. Perfect.

And yes, that's my cookie jar in the picture. :)