How many people would use a recipe that starts out: put 1,280 calories of 100% fat into a bowl... that's what you'd be doing if you are using 1 cup of [vegan] Earth Balance to begin a vegan "Chocolate Chip Cookie" recipe as recently posted on someone else's blog. That's near a whole day's worth of calories right there, hardly "balanced," and all those calories are from fat.
You have a choice: you can be an unhealthy vegan and increase the odds that you'll get coronary heart disease (the biggest killer in our country), or you can stop adding unnecessary fat to your diet and increase the odds of living longer and healthier. I've covered this in previous posts, so instead of belaboring it all again, here are some recipes that show how it can be done:
Fat-Free Oatmeal Cookies
Brownie Oatmeal Cookies
Bryanna's Basic Fatfree Cookie Dough & Variations
Gingerbread Cookies
Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Around 50 veg'n cookie recipes (about 20 of them are vegan)
[Note: in my original post, I inadvertantly used the non-vegan Earth Balance numbers, 100 fat calories per TBL instead of 80... but, even then, the 1 cup of vegan 1,280 calories of pure fat to start, indeed... is still enough to make me "toss my cookies." Go low-fat vegan and save your heart!]
Nice collection, thanks!
Posted by: Jj | 2008.04.29 at 12:19
I think its important to mind one's health, but I also have found that if I try to be too strict, I soon fall off the wagon completely. I think its better to allow yourself a treat each day (within reason) than to set standards I won't be able to meet in the long term.
For me, chocolate cookies made just with cocoa powder (and without chocolate, fatty as it may be) just don't cut it.
Just my two cents.
[I appreciate your feedback and position, but to me, on the issue of fat, I agree with Essy's research: once in awhile doesn't work. I also believe it's like telling an alcoholic that 'a drink ocassionaly" is fine. Added fat beyond that which is already in food (not processed food) is of no significant value to the body and is ultimately deleterious to your cardiovascular system. To each their own, however. I just write my opinion. I used to think a "treat" of a little meat now and then was "okay," too. For many reasons, I don't believe that's a valid viewpoint. Best to you, Mark]
Posted by: Beatrice | 2008.04.29 at 00:18
I am surprised you would link to a recipe with corn syrup in it (the second link you provided)!
Courtney
[I'm in the middle of many projects and it's hard to properly vet everything... yeah, I'm no corn syrup affectionado, but there are easy subs... it was the fat that ticked me off... regardless, thanks for your comment! Will try to do better. Best, Mark]
Posted by: Courtney | 2008.04.28 at 20:12
Hey Mark, you forgot to mention Susan Voisin's fabulous fat-free ginger biscotti recipe. She also has that incredible fig bar recipe, too...Yum. Keep on ranting!
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2007/12/fat-free-gluten-free-gingerbread.html
[Oh, I try... thanks much for the feedback! So many projects going on, so little time to give everything proper attention... Best to ya! Mark]
Posted by: Liese | 2008.04.28 at 19:29