Do you ever have one of those days where eating healthy is just hard? I get it. It CAN be hard sometimes.
Like those days where you just want a cookie – maybe even NEED a cookie?! You see your friends eating them, you see your family eating them, you see the stranger at the coffee shop eating them – why can’t you?!
Well, you CAN!
I found out early on as I was making healthier choices that the reality of it all is that I do still want to feel like I have treats. We all do. All it takes is a little digging to find healthy AND yummy treats, and some moderation – don’t eat the whole batch, one will do….
Do your own baking. I know, I know – that takes time, and who has that. But if you are serious about feeling more energetic, and healthy again it takes time. But it doesn’t have to take all day.
Here is one of my go-to cookie recipes. It’s a favorite for everyone, including my 6-year-old (and my teenagers). That says a lot. 🙂
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients:
3/4 cup of organic butter (softened) or coconut oil/butter
1/2 cup of sucanat sugar or palm sugar*
3/4 cup PURE maple syrup
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ea. ground cinnamon & cloves (I usually leave the cloves out)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla (get the real stuff, not the artificial kind)
1 and 3/4 cup spelt flour (spelt has more nutrients and is less processed than wheat flour)
2 cups of rolled oats
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Method:
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar, maple syrup, baking soda/powder, cinnamon and cloves. Once combined, beat in eggs and vanilla. Beat in the flour slowly. Once combined, stir in the oats and chocolate chips.
2. Drop a small spoonful of dough onto greased cookie sheets and flatten with a fork. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes max. Watch the first batch very closely to make sure they don’t burn. Cook just until the edges are golden. Cool on a cookie sheet. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.
These cookies freeze really well, are perfect for a mid-afternoon snack and are a hit at holiday parties.
ENJOY!
*Palm sugar is also called coconut sugar. This sugar can be used 1 for 1 to replace regular sugar in recipes, but is so much better for you. It has a lower Glycemic index rating which means it doesn’t affect your blood sugar levels like sugar does, and has more nutrients for you. You can find it usually at the Bulk Barn, or in the Natural Foods section of your grocery store.
