Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies- Healthified

I'm sure you have seen the 3 ingredient cookie recipe going around. Well, of course I had  to try it and then make it my own with all the things I love. And guess what? 

They are FANFREAKINGTASTIC!

Super moist, super healthy and super yummy. My kid loves them! My husband loves them! And I love them! Total hit!

My goal was to make something sweet and treat-like without adding ANY extra sugars. This was it! Look no further my friends. I did splurge on last batch and add Vegan Dark Chocolate chips. Which put them over the top!

Recipe makes about 1.5 dozen

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas mashed
• 1 1/4 cup gf instant oats
• 1/4 cups shredded unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1 scoop or serving of vegan chocolate protein powder (I use Shakeology well, because it's the best!)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk
• *Optional-2 oz mini vegan chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life)
• *Optional-2 tbs natural peanut butter

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Mash bananas in large bowl. 
• Add oats, coconut, raisins, chocolate chips, protein powder and mix well. 
• Add coconut milk and any other options you desire like nuts, pb, or dried fruit. 
• *(The more ingredients you add, you may need to add more coconut milk.)
• Scoop 1 large TBS on silpat matt cookie sheet. 
• Bake at 350 for about 12-15 minutes. 

• Remove from oven, let cool for 5 minutes and DEVOUR!

Refrigerate left over cookies in an air tight container for the rest of the week. These are a great treat, snack or even a quick breakfast bite! 

ENJOY!

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Coco Loco Peanut Butter Chia Pudding

I know... I've been away from the blog as of late. But just know I have been cooking up a storm! I have MANY new recipes to share! Here is one of my favorite new ones!

Coconut Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia!

Need something new and refreshing to get you going in the morning? Or how about a pick me up snack full of antioxidants, fiber, protein, and goodness? Or maybe, just maybe a healthy desert you can feel guiltless about eating? 

This will do the trick!

Decadent dark chocolate, creamy peanut butter, super-food Chia seeds and refreshing coconut milk! Do I have your attention yet? 

Heaven in a jar yes it is!

Ingredients:

• 1 tbs honey
• 3 tbs creamy organic peanut butter
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 cup canned coconut milk
• 1/2 cup chia seeds
• 2 tbs mini dark chocolate chips 
• 2 tbs unsweetened coconut flakes

Directions:

1. Combine honey and peanut butter in large mixing bowl. Whisk well to combine. Pour both coconut milks into bowl and whisk to combine. Fold in chia seeds and chocolate chips.
2. Slowly pour mixture into 4 to 6 sealable jars. Sprinkle coconut flakes on top. Chill in the refrigerator overnight to set. (Chia seeds will absorb the milk, thicken, and expand creating a creamy pudding texture.)
3. Serve chilled and enjoy!

I am in love with this one!

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Baked Berry Oatmeal Cakes

I am always looking for a "make ahead" healthy breakfast for my family. That when in need I can grab and go! These babies are just that. Instead of making hot oatmeal in the morning. Make these the day before and store in the fridge or freezer. They are incredibly tasty, moist and filling. Like a treat! My entire family enjoys these. 

Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size: 2 oatmeal cakes
Total Time:  10+ hours soaking time, 55 mins total prep and baking time.
Equipment: Muffin pan with 12 muffin cups

INGREDIENTS;
2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 3/4 cups Unsweetened Vanilla Coconut Milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup frozen cherries
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

PREPARATION;

• Combine oats and milk in a large bowl. Mix, cover and let soak in the refrigerator until liquid is absorbed at least 10 hours. 12 hour preferably.

• Preheat oven to 375°F. 
• In a small bowl, combine egg, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. Mix well.
• Pour small bowl into the soaked oats until well combined.
• Add blueberries and cherries to mixture.
• Divide the mixture among the muffin cups (about 1/4 cup each). Top each with 1 tablespoon coconut.

• Bake the oatmeal cakes 25 minutes, until they spring back when touched.

• Let cool. Loosen and remove with a knife if needed. Serve warm.

Keep in an airtight container or bag and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Each serving is about  275 calories and worth it!!!! ENJOY!

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Perfect Granola

I have been craving granola for 2 weeks! I LOVE oats and a yogurt parfait is one of my favorite foods. But all the store bought granola has things I don't like. Too much cinnamon, too many nuts, or just TOO MUCH! Not to mention preservatives and junk. So, I ventured into the kitchen and came up with this! THE PERFECT GRANOLA! What makes it perfect is it has everything I LIKE. It's simple and only has the flavors I enjoy. So when you use this recipe, add or remove ingredients to make it your own per your own tastes. It's the only way!

Make it YOUR PERFECT GRANOLA!

 You could add any other ingredients if you wanted to: Roasted quinoa, flax seed, sunflower seeds, almonds, cinnamon , etc. The choice is yours! What do you like? 

My perfect recipe consists of this:

PREP TIME:

5 mins

COOK TIME:

30 mins

TOTAL TIME:

35 mins

 Serves: 6-8

INGREDIENTS:

• ½ cup organic extra virgin coconut oil
• ⅓ cup organic local honey
• ½ teaspoon organic vanilla
• 3 cups gluten free oats or regular baking oats
• ¾ cup unsweetened shredded Coconut flakes
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts. I like walnuts or cashews
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1/4 cup dried berries
• Dash of Himalayan pink salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, combine oil, honey and vanilla and whisk together until well combined. Add oats, coconut, cashews, walnuts, raisins and cranberries. Stir to coat evenly. Add pinch of salt if desired.
2. Line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper. Pour mixture and spread out evenly. 
3. Bake at 300 degrees for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. Stir every 10 minutes bake evenly.

4. Let cool and harden for about 10 minutes. Store in an airtight container. Large plastic bag works just as well. 

Sometimes I like to bake the oats without the fruit and nuts. Adding the coconut, cashews, walnuts, raisins and cranberries after baking the oats so it wont be as chewy. I like it both ways. Depends on my mood.

I can't stop eating it!

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Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Coconut Shake

This shake just made my whole day better. Total comfort food! And it really is. 

You feel like you are splurging. 

 Today has been a ROLLER COASTER of a day. Some people just exude negativity and I put my foot down today. I didn't loose it thankfully, I listened, but I also told them flat out how they made me feel and how I saw their actions. I didn't cherry coat anything this time. I needed to come home and workout hard after that frustration. Feeling so frustrated and agitated made my mind just crave junk food! Why does that happen? Knowing that would make me feel even worse, I made this heavenly thing instead.

This tastes more like a treat and instantly made me happy. How is it that Peanut Butter and chocolate just makes you instantly happy? Whoever thinks Shakeology is a diet food, or not satisfying needs to email me. We need to chat. Hunger pains... GONE! Junk Craving.... GONE! Mood... BETTER!

Todays recipes is my Favorite. My, "If I could only make 1 shake ever again this is the flavor I would choose" type of favorite.

Get the picture? A must have!

• 1 Chocolate Shakeology packet
• 1 HEAPING Tbs of Peanut Butter
• 8 oz of Almond Milk or Coconut Milk
• 1 Tbs of unsweetened coconut flakes.

Pure Delicious Heavenly Food!

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Banana Bugs

I am SOO very lucky to have a child who will basically try ANY food you give to him. He has always had the best of appetites. I have never had to make a separate meal for him other than what I make for my husband and I. If we have a big ol Spinach salad for dinner, he does too. And he LOVES IT! In fact, he requests salads when we go out to restaurants. He has expensive taste buds that's for sure.  For example, he wont eat regular string cheese or cheddar, he only wants Aged Gouda and Manchego cheese. He wont eat hot dogs or grilled cheese, he would rather have roasted broccoli and green beans. He does love Hamburgers and Pizza, however  Who doesn't right? He's so my son! 

Basically, I don't have to make his food funny for him to eat it, I just like to. He enjoys it and I have even more fun creating it. The more fun in our lives the better! So today I made Banana bugs. Who doesn't like Bananas or Peanut Butter? Who doesn't like Coconut or Pretzels? Raisins I can see, so use mini chocolate chips and make them a treat. Be creative and have some fun. Food is awesome!

1 Banana

1 TBS Peanut Butter
1 Tsp unsweetened Coconut flakes
8 Pretzel sticks
4 Raisins

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Apple Cookies

Apples and Peanut butter are already one of my favorite things in the UNIVERSE! Adding coconut, chocolate chips, walnuts and raisins make it a dream come true! 

Best recipe EVER! 

Another amazing version is adding Almond Butter and dried fruit! HELLO! You really can't go wrong. A sweet healthy treat to feel guiltless about!

My son thanked me a million times when I made these today and he had the biggest smile on his face. 

Ingredients: 

Your choice! Whatever you like! My version consists of:

• Apple cut in round slices
• Peanut Butter or Almond Butter
• Unsweetened coconut flakes
• Chocolate Chips
• Raisins or any dried berries
• Walnut pieces

These are a regular in my house. Enjoy and you're welcome!

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