<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://images.instagram.com/media/2011/10/04/960132226f4341569da6ffc4157fbed6_7.jpg" alt="russian tea cookies" width="475"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">image by craven maven using instagram </span></p>

This post is part of a feature to help encourage fundraising for the charity Cookies for Kids Cancer. Read more in my previous post <a href="http://cravenmaven.com/2011/09/five-days-of-cookies-for-kids-with-cancer/">here</a>, part I of the chronicles <a href="http://cravenmaven.com/2011/09/cookie-chronicles-part-i-the-vegan-chocolate-chip/">here</a>, part II <a href="http://cravenmaven.com/2011/09/cookie-chronicles-part-ii-brown-sugar-biscuits/">here</a>, part III <a href="http://cravenmaven.com/2011/09/cookie-chronicles-part-iii-lemon-basil-cloud-cookies/">here</a> and part IV <a href="http://cravenmaven.com/2011/10/cookie-chronicles-part-iv-pistachio-cardamom-cookies/">here</a>.
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The cookie story:</strong> I'm not always a fan of store bought food, preferring to make most things from scratch myself. However, Whole Foods is one store that is the exception to my rule. I remember when the Whole Foods opened in Union Square in NYC. A stone's throw away from my workplace at the time, I found myself wandering their aisles more times than appropriate on any given workday. Their bakery is exquisite and tastes freshly homemade. Best of all, their vegan options are some of the BEST I have had ever. 
This Russian Tea cookie is not vegan but it is delicious, nutty and substantial. It looks dainty and dusted on the outside, but it's plethora of crunchy nuts is as filling as it is yummy. Try <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/russian-tea-cakes-recipe/index.html">this recipe</a> by Emeril Lagasse if you want to make your own!

<strong>Fundraising tip:</strong> Quite simply: SPREAD THE WORD. One thing that charities always need is word of mouth connections. <a href="http://www.cookiesforkidscancer.org/">Cookies for Kids Cancer</a> is a great organisation that has a decent online presence and support, but your talking, blogging, email-forwarding and what not about it can go to great lengths leading to more fundraising opportunities.