Chewy Oatmeal Yogurt Bars & A Special Blog Makeover

It's amazing how in the blog world, things can so unexpectedly touch your heart. I just completed a blog design makeover, that Kate of Salvage Dior had given away, for Deanna of It's Just Me. The day after she won, Deanna was diagnosed with Stage 1 Cervical Cancer. She has a husband and two girls, and for her eight year old daughter, this will be especially frightening. She is ready to fight, but could really use positive thoughts and prayers. I was blessed this week by meeting her, and I was thrilled to be able to give her something fresh and new, amidst the pain of her diagnosis. If you have a moment, please go by and check out Deanna's blog and make sure to show a little love while you're there.

Click on her button to visit Deanna's blog.

I tried out a new recipe the other day. It's satisfying for the sweet tooth and good for you and filling too!

Chewy Oatmeal Yogurt Bars
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 (8-ounce) carton yogurt (vanilla or fruit flavored)
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 Tbsp milk
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups oats
1 cup add-ins (diced dried fruit, raisins, cranberries, chocolate chips)

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine sugars, yogurt, egg, oil, milk, and vanilla; mix well. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add to yogurt mixture; mix well. Stir in oats and add-ins of your choice (I used cranberries and chocolate chips; 1/2 cup of each).
3. Spread dough onto bottom of ungreased 9x13 baking pan.
4. Bake 28-30 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely on wire rack. Or just do what we do and cut into them as soon as they don't burn your fingers when you touch them.
5. Store tightly covered.

Makes about 24 bars.

I have more recipes to share later this week as time permits...we are beginning a remodel of our enclosed patio on Friday...which happens to be the playroom and laundry room, so we will be living for two weeks without either. Pray for me.