From "Making My Energy Treats is Simple!" My energy treats have no added sugar or fat--instead they are sweetened with date puree and loaded with fiber (even the most decadent ones). They are 100% healthy and will make you want to live your life to the fullest. Who said healthy cooking had to be complicated? Q: Really, No Added Sugar or Fat? Ok, fine--I cheat a little sometimes. The dough contains no added sugar or fat, but you will occasionally spot chocolate or caramel chips in my recipes. When I first started making my energy treats, I wanted to avoid these kinds of ingredients at all costs. But a nutritionist friend told me that in cooking, as in life, it all comes down to balance. So the choice is yours: if you want to include those ingredients, go for it, but if you don't, you can always just leave them out. Q: What about Me? I Eat Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free! All the recipes in this book can be made without gluten or dairy products.

Yes, really! For gluten-free treats, simply substitute the other flours with your favorite gluten-free variety available at your grocery store. For dairy-free, use store-bought unsweetened applesauce instead of nonfat plain yogurt. There is no need to hunt for complicated ingredients--simpleski! Q: How about Calories? Lots of people have asked for my recipes' nutritional information, including calorie count. But because I'm not a trained nutritionist or a dietitian (I'm just a woman who has big ideas to change the world, one energy treat at a time!), this isn't information I'm focused on. I've chosen not to count the calories of the food I eat. After all, they're just a number! Are the recipes in this book low-calorie? No. They are healthy, easy-to-make recipes that are packed with ingredients to provide lasting energy. Deciding to eat healthily is a choice.

The great thing about making these energy treats is that you choose what you put in the recipe and, therefore, into your body. Q: What about Recipes for Athletes? Yes! As a marathon runner, I spent a long time looking for healthy, energy-boosting snacks to fuel up with before my running sessions --and I ended up making them myself (page 81)! I have also created post-workout cookies that allow you to cut down on your recovery time (page 101). Q: Do You Have School Lunch-Appropriate Recipes My Kids Will Love (No Nuts, No Chocolate, and for those who have allergies, No Dairy)? Yes! My children absolutely love my cookies, and yours will too. On page 87, you'll even find a healthy, homemade version of the popular Bear Paws cookies. Making my energy treats is easy! Think you can't cook? Then these recipes are perfect for you! Simply put the ingredients in a bowl, mix, bake, let cool, and then enjoy. Ta-da! Honestly, that's all you need to know to make these cookies.