Review of the "30 Day Well Challenge"... with cookies

When the New York Times offered to pop thirty straight days of wellness tips and techniques into my inbox, I hopped onto the challenge, and recruited a few of you.

After a month, the challenge dust has settled and here's what I think: Upbeat, varied, but spending only ten minutes per day is not enough to mitigate a winter that's making even hardened Montréalers cry.

The program is not exercise-oriented; "wellness" includes nutrition, social interaction and meditation, as well as planks and bird dogs.

I realized how much I dislike, no, detest guided meditation; the spoken directions cause me to re-write the exercise instead of meditating.

I also had a negative experience with the "close your eyes and stand on one leg while brushing your teeth" challenge because who wants to clean the bathroom mirror at 11 p.m.? There were many uses of the word "mindful" during the challenge, but calling this particular activity "mindfulness' seemed inaccurate. Good balance practice, though.

The day I was challenged to have a "phone free lunch" I realized just how pervasive social media have become.

The workout segments were gentle enough to entice non-exercisers and included modifications for all levels of fitness. I would have liked to see someone past early middle age among the demonstrators.

Overall, I'd grade the program a solid A for it's variety and gentle prodding to ramp up both activity and social interaction, a B for instructional design, but only a C+ for my results.  I do feel better but I'm not sure the program was to thank, it may be Jason Momoa in his blush pink suit at the Oscars.

I had to import more movement than the Well Challenge prescribed, no thanks to Le Duc's parallel mission: to find the irresistible oatmeal-cookie recipe.

As extra motivation, I promised myself a reward if I completed every single day, on the day it came in, no stacking.

I chose a pair of Brora cashmere wrist warmers which conveniently went on sale the day the program ended!

Here's the oatmeal cookie recipe, retrieved and adapted from sugarspunrun.com. They are simple, true and deeply buttery. Be well!

Oatmeal Cookies

Prep Time 40 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Servings 23 large cookies

Calories 175kcal

Author Samantha Merritt

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter room temperature (216g) and a bit more
• 1 cup brown sugar tightly packed (200g)
• 1/2 cup sugar (100g)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (215g)
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch (cornflour in UK)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon each of cinnamon and cardamon
• 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats (285g)
• 1-2 cups raisins or chocolate chips optional!

Instructions

1. Beat butter in the bowl of a stand mixer (or using an electric beater) for about 30 seconds.  Add sugars and beat until light and fluffy (pause to scrape down sides and bottom of bowl, if needed).   
2. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until combined.
3. Stir in vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
5. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture until completely combined.  Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl so ingredients are well-mixed.
6. Gradually stir in oats until completely combined.  If using raisins or chocolate chips, stir them in at this point.
7. Chill dough in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
8. Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and prepare cookie sheets by lining with parchment paper.
9. Drop cookie by rounded 2-3 Tablespoon-sized ball onto parchment paper, spacing at least 2" apart.
10. Bake on 375F (190C) for 10-12 (edges should be slightly browned, centers may still be slightly underbaked but shouldn't be raw, they'll bake completely as they cool).
11. Allow cookies to cool completely on cookie sheet before enjoying.

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