Labels. Cookies. General Fabulousness.

Let’s talk about labels. They’re everywhere. We label ourselves and other people label us- fact of life, right? Heck, I label myself in my “About me” section. When you’re struggling with body image, weight, losing weight, etc., labels get tossed around a lot, even if mostly in your head. It was perfect timing when I read this post from Katy Widrick the other day and really loved it- It was eye opening, actually. I highly suggest you read it if you haven’t already. It’s a look at something that every single female who has ever been clothes shopping has experienced- the baffling lack of standard sizes and the deviations between brands, styles, and cuts(and the resulting frustration).

The entire time I’ve been losing weight (and I didn’t start losing weight solely to fit back into my clothes), I’ve been starting entirely too many sentences with “When I am a size 4/6 again…” There are several things wrong with this. 1.) I’m still me, no matter what size I am; 2.) Sizing these days is so arbitrary that basing any iota of body perception or self-satisfaction on it is completely pointless and probably detrimental; and 3.) I am so sick of labels that I could just SCREAM (LIKE I’M DOING NOW BY TYPING IN CAPS!)! So, I’ve taken a pledge:

I will no longer say, “When I’m a size 4/6…” I will remember how fantastic I feel physically and mentally, how far i’ve come, and I won’t let the fashion industry dictate how I feel about myself (unless I find seriously fabulous clothes that make me feel like a Christina Hendricks-like bombshell, kinda like my new dress). I will rock my newfound self-confidence regardless of the size label on my clothing.

There. Now, I WILL label this recipe Simply Freakin’ Fabulous, because, well, it is. I give you the recipe for Coconut Lemon Sugar Cookies with POM frosting. I have a friend (who shall remain unnamed) who HATES sugar cookie and she ate seven of these when I made the mistake of letting her try one before dinner.  I think that speaks for itself. You need these. Now. Flee! Go forth and bake!

Coconut Lemon Sugar  Cookies with POM Frosting

1 Stick Butter (room temp)
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups Organic Cane Sugar
1 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp. lemon extract
1 1/2 cups oat flour
1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

For Frosting

1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
2 tbsp butter (room temp- I used earth balance for this part)
1/4 cup POM juice

Preheat oven to 350

1.  Combine butter, sugar, lemon and lemon zest in mixer or with handheld mixer until thoroughly blended and somewhat creamy.  When the mixture is smooth, add the eggs and mix until batter is thoroughly mixed and slightly fluffy- about one minute on medium-high speed.
2.  Add baking soda and salt, mix thoroughly- be sure none of it is trapped on the side of the bowl!  This is what will make your cookies rise up (and revolt!- ok, couldn’t resist)
3.   Put the mixer on low and slowly add the flour in a steady stream.  Stop every so often to scrape the sides of the bowl.  Continue until all flour is mixed in thoroughly.
4.  Put in coconut and mix on medium-high for a minute.
5.  Place cookie batter on sheets in balls.  Each one should be about a Tbsp of batter.  Put in oven for approx 12 minutes or until slightly brown.  These cookies are very chewy and moist when done perfectly.  Allow to cool on cookie sheets for about 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack.
6.  While cookies are cooling, make the frosting in the mixer.  Combine all ingredients and whip on high until smooth and creamy.  You may need to add more sugar.  The frosting should be smooth and creamy with a little tang.
7.  Frost cookies and ENJOY!

Tomorrow, I have the day off.   I think I’ll make purple potato gnocchi with a sage, cranberry and shallot sauce of some kind.   Will it work?  I guess we’ll see!  I also want to show you some happenings from around my apartment- the redecoration is still in full swing and soon, i’ll start painting!  Ok, ok.  I’ll be bribing people to come and paint.  Thank goodness I know how to cook.  Do you have ANY IDEA how hard it is to get paint out of your hair, people!?