DEAR SUN SPOTS: I really enjoy your articles in the newspaper. Could you find a recipe for pumpkin chocolate-chip cookies? Also, do you know of any store in this area that sells potato starch and walnut oil for cooking? Thank you. Keep up the good work for all of us Sun Journal readers! — No Name, South Paris

ANSWER: Sun Spots found several recipes for pumpkin chocolate-chip cookies online, including the following at www.cookiemadness.net and is publishing it courtesy of Cookie Madness.

Pumpkin chocolate-chip cookies

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 large egg

1 scant cup granulated sugar

6 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking soda

1½ teaspoons double-acting baking powder

2 cups all purpose flour or white whole wheat flour (9 ounces)

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Beat pumpkin, egg, sugar, oil, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, baking soda and baking powder together in a mixing bowl. Make sure all the leavenings are dissolved (no lumps). Add the flour and stir just until it is mixed in, then stir in the chocolate chips. Using a very generously rounded tablespoon measure, drop onto parchment-lined cookie sheets spacing about 2 inches apart (cookies shouldn’t spread much). Bake at 375 for 13 to 15 minutes. Remove from tray and let cool.

As for your question about potato starch and walnut oil, Sun Spots has bought both those items at Hannaford (it was in the natural foods sections, so she is not sure if they have it all stores, but they should be able to get it for you) and at Axis Natural Foods in Auburn.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In the Woman’s World magazine dated Jan. 4, there is a two-page spread titled “Belly Fat Cure.” One of the main ingredients is safflower oil, not tablets. As I subscribe to Woman’s World (I call it my Bible), I was very disappointed to find the major grocery stores and specialty shop in Auburn do not carry the oil. Although I know it is expensive, I still want it and wonder why Woman’s World would feature a diet when you can’t get the main ingredient. Help! — No Name, Lisbon

ANSWER: Sun Spots spoke with Dan at the Hannaford on Sabattus Street and Axis Natural Foods in Auburn. Both assured her that they carry safflower oil. There are many different cooking oils available on the shelf, so one would be easy to overlook. You might need to ask for help. By the way, Sun Spots suggests caution in your quest for a slimmer you. Many ads promise easy ways to to lose weight, but no special food ingredient will magically melt pounds from around your waist.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For No Name, No Town in Thursday’s Sun Journal who was looking for a bean pot, I wish to inform her that L.M. Longley’s and Sons on Main Street in Norway has two sizes of bean pots. No need to go further. — Norway Resident

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For the person seeking bean pots, try Paris Farmers Union. They carry a variety of sizes at very reasonable prices. — No Name, No Town

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