Happy Cookie Friday! 
I started my Cookie Friday at 5:30 this morning with a special treat: Cookie Friday Cookies from YouCookie! 
The folks at YouBar are now making customizable cookies. Obviously, they’re perfect for Cookie Friday! 
The nice people at YouCookie asked me if I wanted to create my own batch of custom cookies for FREE and, of course, I jumped at the chance!
My Cookie Friday Cookies arrived just a few days later, packaged individually inside a tin. I love that the cookies were packaged individually. It definitely helps me with portion control. Remember, I AM the Cookie Monster! 
I had one of these babies with a smear of almond butter on top right before I went to the gym. It was the perfect pre-workout fuel.
After the gym, I showered-up and made a delightful bowl of banana oats.
In the mix:
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1 banana
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed meal
- 1 tbsp wheatberries
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup soy milk
- Splash of water
- Scoop of Teddie peanut butter
After this post, I am getting right to it. I need to write my Health post and get crackin’ on my BOOK! I also have a doctor’s appointment and a conference call this afternoon. Lots to do!
Shop to Give
Bostonians: Remember the Shop to Give event that I posted about the other day? Drop me an email if you plan to go!
Real Simple Giveaway
Thanks to everyone who entered!
Here’s your random number: 256
Congrats!!! Please email me with your full name and mailing address.
Question of the Day
I read this article the other day and thought it was an interesting piece about re-gifting: A Round Up of Rules
What do you think about re-gifting? Is it a DO or a DON’T?
{ 60 comments… read them below or add one }
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Oh I’ll do it . . . but only if I know the gift is in good condition and that they will actually like it . . . the easiest one is like bottles of wine that you get as hostess gifts, if you’re going to a party very soon after (which is a likely to occur this time of year) then just grab a bottle and voila a new hostess gift
Cookies sound like way more delicious pre-workout fuel than any PB/banana/toast combo haha
I think if it’s unused sure why not regift? It makes sense if you know the person will appreciate it.
Custom cookies are SUCH a good idea!
I sometimes re-gift. There are alot of things I don’t need and will never use. It is more so though for baskets for events and auctions, ya know?
I don’t think there is anything wrong with giving away things that you think someone else will really enjoy, i.e. a nice sweater that isn’t your size or a bottle of wine…
Those custom cookies are an awesome idea!
I’ll sometimes re-gift as well, as long as the product is still in the package and definitely isn’t going to be used. I’m not going to use, someone else might!
I like re-gifting if it’s truly new and not just a crummy, old shirt I don’t want anymore. But I’ve definitely received some presents (like a perfume set) that I wouldn’t use but make great presents.
Like the individual packaging on the cookies for portion control, but can’t help but think how un-environmentally friendly all that excess plastic is.
MMM cookies!
look awesome
re-gifting isnt all that bad, but i don’t normally do it!
I think regifting is fine if you think the person will really enjoy the gift. Have a good Friday!
Customized COOKIE?! Are they for real? *swoons*. I haven’t tried any of the You Bar products yet… and now I am very tempted
I adore banana oats. Yummmmm.
I agree with re-gifting if it feels right! Give it a go!
Enjoy!
What ingredients did you choose for your “Cookie Friday Cookies”!?
YouCookie?! What will they think of next? I love the sounds of that!
I think re-gifting is okay if it’s something small, like lotion or candles. I’d rather just return a gift that I don’t like than trying to pass it on.
My mother/grandmother are the queens of regifting! I think it’s okay for the most part but once my grandma accidentally regifted something something to the original giver… oops!
i say a DO as long as its new and something someone else would want. in this economy, why not!
I think regifting is a do as long as the item isn’t too crappy!!
If you actually think the other person would like it, go for it!!
I have a question about working out. I noticed that you (as well as all other blogs I read) eat before working out. I was wondering if you have always done this? Specifically when you were trying to lose weight? I have read so many times that working out on an empty stomach is more beneficial to weight loss, due to the exercise burning off fat instead of the food (carbs etc) .. thoughts?
I think you have to be careful with regifting – too many horror stories about old cards being left on or some other way the person finds out. I’ve certainly been known to regift – especially chocolates – I get so much candy being a violin teacher – I definitely don’t want it all in the house!
This year we are all giving to a charity of our choice for adult gifts and just gifts for the children in our lives.
I am really sick how commericalized the whole holiday has become….to be honest I will be happy when the prizes and gift talk fade away and we are back to good ol’ healthy living blogs….but that is just me!It felt SO good to give to a great charity I chose instead this year…I finally felt the meaning of the holiday again.
Hope others will also give to those in need now and all throughout the year…whether in our neck of woods or in some of the horrible situations overseas.
Wishing you all peace.Namaste.
Personalized cookies, oh my goodness, I must have a look!
Those cookies look so good! I love the nice people at YouBar.
I think regifting is ok, especially if the person will genuinely enjoy the gift more than you will….plus, less waste!
My take on re-gifting has always been that it’s ok. If you have something NEW that you don’t want/need but truly believe another person WILL enjoy, than you should pass it on. Otherwise, you just end up holding on to it or donating it.
Loving the Cookie-Friday and youcookie!!!!
Regifting is fine as long as it isn’t some random crap you want to get rid of. I would think it would have to be somthing useful for someone else.
Totally awesome cookies!
I love youbar!
I’d love for you to check outmy blog – giveaway coming and workout songs!
http://katiechangesforkatie.blogspot.com/
Katie
I’m not opposed to regifting…it depends on several things….If I do it, I make sure the person getting the gift would want it. I don’t just regift so I don’t have to buy something else. Also, I make sure that the gift has no defects and it wrapped pretty. Some of my friends and family don’t mind used items that are in good condition, because we are avid Goodwill and garage sale shoppers, depends on the person. I would rather give it to someone that can get SOME use out of it!
I think re-gifting CAN be done tastefully but it has to be done the right way. If you have something you won’t use and it’s a quality product you really think other people can enjoy, then go for it! Waste not, want not, right??
Custom cookies? HOW NEAT! Delish every time!
I think re-gifting can work, as long as you know it’s something the person would like and you aren’t trying to cop-out and not buy them a gift…
We are playing Yankee Swap where regifting is encouraged.
I regift things like candles, photo frames, etc. but only to random people I want to give a token gift to like hairdresser etc. I think as long as there is something else with the gift I feel ok with it.
When i think it is NOT ok to regift? WEDDING PRESENTS! I think a wedding gift is about showering the couple with something special (whether it be money or a gift) and a regift just doesn’t feel right. We received more than a few gifts from around the year 2003 (tiffany knew by the color paper the gift was wrapped in and another item had been discontinued since 2004. Yet another still had the original gift receipt!) and it really hurt my feelings. I would have preferred just a simple congratulations card and that’s all.
@Amy: I don’t always eat before a workout. But, a lot of the time, I exercise first thing in the morning. I just can’t have a good workout with an empty stomach. As for losing weight, I’ve eaten the same way.
That is so cool about the cookies! Cookies = best type of mail eva.
Also, I will regift when I need something last minute for someone I don’t know that well. Or if its something I know someone else would LOVE!
customcookies=genious!
I think re-gifting is a fine idea, esp if you recieve a gift you KNWO you will never use. If it is unopen, then I dont see why not (just make sure the original gifter never finds out!)
I don’t see anything wring with re-gifting as long as it isn’t a gift with a lot of meaning behind it or that kind of thing. I just get so many things every year, whether it be from secret santa exchanges, etc., that just sit in my house…might as well pass things along to people who might really get some use out of them!
hehe your blog should be called Carrots ‘N’ Cookies
I also think regifting is ok sometimes, depending on the meaning/thought behind the gift.
I think its better than something just going to waste though!
Where the custom cookies good?
oops were not where! Love the idea of custom cookies and the choices look great and love the interactive nutrtion calculator. But do they taste fresh baked or more like a pacakged cookie?
I think it’s OK. As long as you are regifting outside of the circle in which you got the gift
I’ve only done it a few times ever, but I think it’s OK 
those youcookies are such a great idea!
i think regifting is a way of life (in my household, at least)
i really don’t think regifting is bad as long as you’re sure it’s something the person would actually really enjoy.
I re-gift occasionally, I don’t think there’s a problem with it. Of course, I make sure the gift is still in good condition and I’m sure to give it to someone I know will use it (e.g., I get TONS of smelly lotions, soaps, etc., and I don’t use them at all. I give them to friends or family I know love them). Hey it saves money sometimes and prevents letting things go to waste!
Custom cookies is such an awesome idea! What’d you put in yours???
TINA! did you know that today, december 4th, happens to be national cookie day? so happy it landed on a friday this year
I started cookie friday this morning too! Last night, I prepared a breakfast cookie based on Fitnessista’s breakfast cookie recipe. What a great way to start the day!
@janetha: I didn’t know that! How cool!!!!!!
I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all, if you get something that you do not like, but you know someone who would love to have it….it makes perfect sense to re-gift it!
(as long as you did not receive it from them to begin with haha)
Tina, I’m interested in how you (and others) chose your gym? I’m looking for a gym in my area (Cincinnati), and I’m trying to find the right balance of affordability and amenities (open when I need it, locker/shower facilities, classes, other services such as health/fitness consultation, etc.) What did you look for and how did you compare your options?
I have never re-gifted. But I am not 100% opposed to it. I guess I usually like gifts I get. But, I think that you really shouldn’t do that unless it is something you really think the person you are giving it to will enjoy.
Re-gifting? Fer sure. Sometimes half of my Christmas gifts come from gifts I had received on Christmas Eve, not because I’m ungrateful, but because people who don’t know me very well have been forced to give me something I couldn’t need less. Example: the notebook/planner from future father-in-law’s ex-wife went to future-step-father-in-law’s mother, who doesn’t use a computer for her calendars as I do. Random Secret Santa Walmart candle holders go to future mother-in-law for crafts, because what the heck am I going to do with them in my teeny apartment. This year, I still have a ton of unwanted Bath & Body Works soaps that grandma passed on after receiving at church; everybody likes them and they keep forever, so it’s an instant gift for Mom (along with some homemade goodies to soften the blow, of course).
those youbar cookies look so cool!
jenna
TINA what did you request for your cookies?
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