A poem to start the day!

Sometimes we all need a little pick me up. This is my favorite poem by Mary Oliver.  It is called "Why I Wake Early".  She has such a wonderfully easy way of writing and it just warms your soul!  Enjoy this poem while eating the yummy energy cookies that Vance and I whipped up and gobbled up(recipe below).


Hello, sun in my face.
Hello, you who make the morning
and spread it over fields
and into the faces of tulips
and the nodding morning glories,
and into the windows of, even, the
miserable and the crotchety-

best preacher that ever was,
dear star, that just happens
to be where you are in the universe
to keep us from ever-darkness,
to ease us with warm touching,
to hold us in the great hands of light-
good morning, good morning, good morning.

Watch, now, how I start the day
in happiness, in kindness.

Cashew Date Coconut Cookies

Handful of dates (about 5 or 6)
Handful of raisins
3/4 cup cashews (we used lightly salted)
Drizzle of honey
Small pinch of salt
2 Tbsp water
Shredded unsweetened coconut
Wheat germ

Add all ingredients except the coconut and wheat germ to the bowl of a small food processor.
Process until smooth or to the consistency you want (sometimes prefer mine chunky). They should be sticky enough and solid enough to roll into balls.  If they are too runny just add more cashews, raisins or dates to firm them up.  Roll into balls and roll through a mixture of the wheat germ and coconut.  It should make about 10 cookies. Freeze for 15 minutes or refrigerate for 30 before serving.  Keep leftovers refrigerated.  These are great for an afternoon snack, especially for kids, or something to grab before heading out for a walk or run.  They stabilize blood sugar and are quite filling!  You can also make your own version by using a different nut or adding fun things like chocolate chips!

Bon appetite!