It's like we don't even exist

My older sister is expanding her recreational painting into a business pursuit. Her pictures are great and everything, but as I reviewed her past work I noticed that something is missing, primarily me and my little sister. There are paintings of our parents, herself, our oldest sister, strangers, random fields, rivers, etc., but no little sisters. I sat and wondered why this might be. Do we not matter as much? Is she less fond of us? Are we not as cute?

Then it hit me. Our collective awkward years span so much time that, honestly, what pictures

could she use?

(NOT THESE)

Furthermore, if you consider my painful lack of photo finesse coupled with my little sister's exuberant choice of festive clothes, even the recently past years are non-negotiable.

I see now. I wouldn't paint us either

A great substitute

I love sweets, more than life sometimes. The year that I gave up sweets for Lent will always be branded on my mind as one of life's most memorable and trying experiences. It was like 6 weeks of childbirth.

But that is beside the point. The point is that I love sweets and I love making them. However, most cookie and brownie recipes call for a ton of butter or oil. I just don't like all the greasiness, it seems excessive most of the time. I usually use applesauce for 1/2 of the fat. It's a good substitute, but I have found better... the secret is yogurt. Plain, lowfat yogurt. It works wonderfully and gives the finished product a little extra flavor like using buttermilk would. I made chocolate chip cookie recipe like this and baked it in a 9x13 in. pan. The result was great, flavorful, tender, a bit healthier. I urge you to try.