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5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

¾ cup granular sugar substitute (i.e. Splenda)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup creamy trans-fat-free peanut butter
1 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix sugar substitute, egg and vanilla with an electric mixer until well-blended, about three minutes. Add peanut butter and baking soda and continue mixing until dough binds together. Form dough into 24 balls (about 2 teaspoons each) and place on baking sheet. Gently press down on the center of each cookie to slightly flatten them. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until lightly browned. You can also add a little dollop of low-sugar or sugar-free jam or jelly to the tops of each cookie before baking for a “peanut butter and jelly” cookie; or a couple of dark chocolate chips if you prefer the peanut butter and chocolate combo.

Note: A reader emailed me yesterday about the amount of Splenda in this recipe. She wanted to make sure I actually meant 3/4 cup of Splenda. I think she thought that Splenda is sweeter than sugar, and the measurements aren't equal. Actually, Splenda and sugar are equal. Anytime a recipe calls for sugar, whether it's 1 teaspoon, 1/4 cup or 2 cups, you can substitute the same exact amount of Splenda instead.

Just Do It

Today's health tip - At times, you will not feel like exercising. If you're just feeling a little tired or low on energy, go ahead and try to complete your routine. The workout will likely boost your energy level and your mood - is a perfect lead in to what I'm working on for next week's Living Well column in the OCT. I struggle with this, just like everyone else. Sometimes the hardest thing is just making yourself do it. But, when you do, you always feel sooooo much better, don't you?

Powerade Zero rocks

I'm not a huge fan of sports drinks, but I do like Gatorade. However, I never drink it because of the sugar/carbs/calories. But then today I discovered Powerade Zero. Zero calories, zero carbs, zero sugar. (It's sweetened with Splenda.) I tried the grape flavor. It's really good! (And not bad for you.)

"We encourage you to eat until you're full and snack before you get hungry"

Now, that piece of advice sounds like it could go really wrong, doesn't it? If you have an insatiable hunger, you might think it means you should eat and eat and eat. but, that's not the point they're trying to make here. That quote is from Dr. Arthur Agatston, author of the South Beach Diet. Now, I know I'm always preaching about the South Beach way of eating, and if you don't like it, I apologize. But, it just really makes sense to me, and it works for me! I never viewed it as "diet," but rather a lifestyle of healthy eating that includes whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables, and limited sugar intake.

If you eat a big meal of highly processed and refined foods, you'll feel satisfied for a little while, but your body will digest it quickly, and your blood sugar will take a big dip, and that's when you find you feel "hungry" shortly after you eat! Not good. But, when you eat quality, wholesome foods - i.e. whole grains instead of white, processed starches; nuts instead of potato chips; an apple with a little bit of peanut butter instead of a candy bar - you'll feel more satisfied for longer. And, if you snack between meals, you won't feel like you're "starving" when it comes to mealtime, and thus you'll be less likely to overeat.

And finally, when you eat healthy on most days of the week, you shouldn't feel guilty about splurging occasionally. Birthdays, holidays, parties... Have fun!