1/2 cup oats
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour – spoon and sweep, don’t pack
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons applesauce
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup natural type peanut butter (Jif would be fine too)
1/4 cup peanuts (salted is fine)
1/3 cup bittersweet chocolate chips or 1/3 cup chopped up good quality chocolate

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Grind oats in processor. Add flour, baking soda and salt and pulse to mix.
Stir oil and both sugars together in a medium bowl. It’s okay to do this with a spoon – no need to pull out the electric mixer. Beat in applesauce, peanut butter and vanilla. Add flour mixture and stir until blended. Stir in peanuts and chocolate chips.

Using about 2 tablespoons of dough, form dough into balls and place on ungreased baking sheet. Flatten slightly. Bake until edges are golden brown, about 12-14 minutes, Cool on sheets 5 minutes. Transfer to racks; cool completely. Cookies will firm up as they cool.
Makes about 6 cookies

So delicious. Enjoy!

Tomorrow is the Anarchist Cafe event at The Smell in Downtown Los Angeles. I have been asked to read something that I have written, anything I would like. I don't like the idea of standing up in front of an enormous crowd of (the most judgemental) people and reciting my innermost thoughts and ideas. I give workshops before these individuals frequently and each time I feel as though I'm going to vomit and pass out. The only reason I get through those is by virtue of the fact that I am sharing concrete inarguable information with them. I have never been terribly comfortable with sharing my own work with others. I know that this means that I'm insecure about my writing/what people think of me/my being, and I hate that. Try as I might to live my life for myself alone (and I usually do) this one particular area always brings out that self-conscious little girl in me. I have resolved that tomorrow I will stand before the mass of people and proudly read my musings without letting doubts or shame enter my mind.

Today is my father's 55th birthday.

Happy Birthday Abba!

There has been a rainstorm of biblical proportions the past few days! As many of you know, that's quite a rarity for Los Angeles, and I could not be more thrilled. I love that I can hear thunder and rain tap-dancing on my window as I write this entry. It's quite a scarce treat.

I suppose I should tell all of you out there a bit about me so you can make a proper decision about reading my blog or not. My name is (conspicuously) Shannen. I am 21 years old and have lived in California my entire life. I would like to move to London within the next few years to continue my studies and experience what such a fantastic metropolis has to offer. I am a Women's Studies major and someday hope to teach the subject at a college level and write about it as well. I would like to focus in the development of female sexuality. I love to read, write and drink coffee. I have been in a relationship with my boyfriend, Jeff, for a little over a year and a half. I am a strict vegetarian, though I try to eat vegan as often as possible. I unfortunately lack the discipline to do the vegan thing full-time these days however, I am working on it. I am currently out of steady work but I work sporadically for a few families babysitting their lovely children. I love children and am fascinated by child and infant development. I like surrounding myself with individuals who have a lot to say and can keep up in a debate.

I believe that is the most I have ever voluntarily written about myself. Too much?