One Smart Cookie

IntroductionThis book represents years of kitchen testing by a food addict and cookie lover who was tired of the guilt trip that always followed a batch of homemade cookies.I should say that my dad was my inspiration. Although cooking has always been my first love, I might never have ventured into the world of low-fat cooking if he didn't have the unfortunate combination of high cholesterol and a severe sweet tooth. Back when low-fat baking was in its infancy and the only desserts to be found in "healthy" cookbooks were meringues, poached fruit and the occasional oatmeal cookie made with applesauce, I decided to earn a few brownie points and develop some really good, rich, chewy; chocolatey cookies for him. After more testing than I care to admit, I came up with a winner, which my nephew dubbed Chocolava (see page 65) for its crinkly appearance. Even people who didn't care about fat and calories went wild for them, which was the whole point. I didn't think anyone should have to choose between a good cookie and a healthier one.So I went into business and almost overnight was supplying over 50 restaurants, coffee shops and health clubs with low-fat chocolava, oatmeal-raisin and chocolate chip cookies.Their popularity was overwhelming. I had requests for cookies from across Canada and even as far away as California. But the appeal of getting up at 1 o'clock in the morning to crank out cookies all night quickly wore off. I decided to close the bakery and write a cookbook, and at the same time develop recipes for all my favorite foods with less fat and fewer calories. After all, if it can be done with chocolate chip cookies, anything's possible!At that point in my life I could no longer ignore the numbers on the scale. At 330 pounds (my scale went up only to 330) I had tried every diet in the world with little progress. After all, the success rate of any diet program is a discouraging 5%, and I never liked to be told what I could and couldn't eat, and when. I hated the rigid calorie-calculating programs that expected me to weigh, measure and record everything that went into my mouth. Above all, I realized that guilt was a terrible motivator.Once I learned to cook and eat on my own terms, making things like cookies, brownies and even butter tarts with less fat and fewer calories (like my dad, I was never willing to give up sweets or settle for unsatisfying low-fat versions) I finally succeeded in losing half my body weight -- 165 pounds.Cookies are the ultimate comfort food. What a shame that such pure enjoyment is often overshadowed by remorse over eating too much fat and too many calories! Fortunately there's no need to choose between a healthy cookie and a delicious one. By using healthier ingredients and cooking techniques and moderating our intake, we can enjoy cookies regularly as part of a healthy lifestyle, rather than save them for an occasional treat.The recipes in this book reflect the new attitude of cooks and food lovers who are concerned as much with taste as they are with nutrition. As we become more health-conscious and nutritionally savvy, we better understand what our bodies need to be healthy. But eating healthfully doesn't mean we should enjoy our food any less! Often considered "empty calories," cookies can deliver a bigger nutritional punch than we give them credit for.I'm living proof that simple changes in eating habits and a common sense lifestyle can result in long-term success. I hope my book helps to change the way you bake and alleviates any guilt-and that these recipes become favorites in your home.Julie Van RosendaalVan Rosendaal, Julie is the author of 'One Smart Cookie', published 2007 under ISBN 9781552859124 and ISBN 1552859126.