Christmas Recipes For Kids

This program can be enjoyed by the whole family and includes 12 recipes that compliment classic holiday books and each recipe and book features a traditional holiday flavor.

You will enjoy sugar plums as you read The Night Before Christmas, make maple candy lollipops like Laura and Mary while reading Christmas In The Big Woods and drink hot cocoa as “thick” as chocolate bars while you read The Polar Express and many more delicious recipe and book combinations!

This program is a great way to savor the season as a family while reading classic holiday books and make simple, wholesome treats together!

HOW TO USE THIS PROGRAM:

You can complete this program at a pace that flows well for your own schedule and family! 

I personally recommend starting this program in early November and enjoying 1-2 recipes with complimenting read-alouds a week, which ensures you will complete the whole program prior to Christmas.

Wishing you a happy and healthy Christmas season!

Celebrate Independence Day with this 4th of July Study! This program is a great way to encourage nutrition education, cooking, reading and crafting all with a patriotic theme!

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Mini Independence Day History Lesson
• Red, White and Blue Foods Nutrition Education
• Patriotic Matching Game
• 4th of July Recipes
• 4th of July Crafts and Activities
• Book List
• Poems, Hymns and Songs
• And More!

HOW TO USE THIS PROGRAM:

I recommend starting this program 2-3 weeks before the 4th of July and reading books from the book list, making recipes and trying out the different crafts leading up the the holiday. However, this program is completely flexible and you can simply pick and choose what books, recipes and crafts you want to implement. I highly encourage reading the Nutrition Study with your child or children more than once, and to continue the conversation about the health benefits of red, white and blue foods at your meal times!

Benefits of Psyllium Husk

Psyllium husk, or psyllium fiber, is a natural prebiotic, helping to promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms to support gut health and healthy gastrointestinal function. Psyllium husk is also found to help increase feelings of satiety, or fullness to help curb hunger between meals. Lastly, we know that a fibrous diet is known to support heart health and help maintain healthy levels of cholesterol! 

Health Benefits of Psyllium Husk:

• Digestion: Psyllium husk supports digestion and gastrointestinal function
• Gut Health: A natural prebiotic, psyllium promotes growth of beneficial microorganisms and supports gut health
• Bowel Regularity: Psyllium husk is a gentle, bulk-forming supplement for healthy elimination and regularity.
• Satiety and Weight Management: Psyllium husk supports satiety, or fullness, helping curb hunger between meals.
• Heart Health: A fibrous diet is known to support heart health and help maintain healthy levels of cholesterol.

Organic India has been my go-to brand for quality organic Whole Husk Psyllium, sourced directly from small family farms and handpicked with care. I love to use it in my gluten-free baking from cookies, bread, pizza dough and more!

Benefits of Almond Flour

Almond flour is made from almonds and is a great flour gluten-free baking. Blanched almond flour is made from almonds where the skin is removed, yielding a better texture and consistency for baking. Therefore, I always recommend baking with blanched almond flour versus simply almond flour. Almonds are packed with fiber and are a source of the antioxidant vitamin E!

Benefits of Oat Flour

Oat flour is made from ground oats. Oats provide many health benefits including being a source of fiber to support digestion, gut health, heart hearth and bowel regularity. Oats are naturally gluten-free and can be a nutritious gluten-free baking flour. Oats also contain beta-glucan which may help to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels, helping to improve cholesterol levels overall. While oats are naturally gluten-free, buy oats that are certified gluten-free to ensure a truly gluten-free flour and avoid cross-contamination. I also love to make my own gluten-free oat flour, which is an easy way to turn the oats you likely already have in your pantry into flour for baking.

Chocolate Chip Cookies with Organic Whole Husk Psyllium 

Makes 12 Cookies

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup blanched almond flour

1 cup oat flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Wet Ingredients:

2 teaspoons psyllium husk 

3 tablespoons water

2 eggs 

½ cup maple syrup

¼ cup coconut oil, melted

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Additions:

1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl add the dry ingredients and mix to well combine. In a small bowl add the psyllium husk and water, mix together and let set for 3-5 minutes until a gel-like consistency. Add in eggs and whisk together. Then add maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla extract and whisk together. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and fold together. Lastly, fold in chocolate chips. On a baking sheet lined with a baking mat or parchment paper, add scoops of cookie dough. I love to use an ice-cream scoop for an even amount. Shake the baking sheet for the cookie dough to slightly flatten and spread. Bake for 18 minutes. Optional, but at the 5 minute mark take the cookies out and slam the cookie sheet down on the counter to help flatten the cookies if you prefer a thinner cookie. Let cookies cool on a cooling rack before enjoying! Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and enjoy it for 5 days.

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Chocolate Chip Cookies with Organic Whole Husk Psyllium

Servings 12

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup blanched almond flour
• 1 cup oat flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon psyllium husk

Wet Ingredients

• 2 tsp psyllium husk
• 3 tbsp water
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Additions

• 1 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
• In a large bowl add the dry ingredients and mix to well combine
• In a small bowl add the psyllium husk and water, mix together and let set for 3-5 minutes until a gel-like consistency. Add in eggs and whisk together. Then add maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla extract and whisk together.
• Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and fold together. Lastly, fold in chocolate chips.
• On a baking sheet lined with a baking mat or parchment paper, add scoops of cookie dough. I love to use an ice-cream scoop for an even amount. Shake the baking sheet for the cookie dough to slightly flatten and spread
• Bake for 18 minutes. Optional, but at the 5 minute mark take the cookies out and slam the cookie sheet down on the counter to help flatten the cookies if you prefer a thinner cookie.
• Let cookies cool on a cooling rack before enjoying! Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and enjoy it for 5 days.

I love to make a batch of these cookies on the weekend and enjoy an afternoon treat with my kids throughout the weekday! These cookies are delicious cold or simply placed on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees for a few minutes to warm, and enjoy the taste of a freshly baked cookie all over again!

Disclosure: This blog post is sponsored by Organic India.

What Is Fermentation

Fermentation is the process in which natural microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria secrete enzymes that then break down the sugars or starches of certain foods. The result of fermentation is the production of lactic acid and carbon dioxide, little gaseous bubbles that you typically see forming when you make fermented honey garlic or even during the process of sourdough bread.

The Health Benefits of Fermented Foods

Fermented foods are rich in naturally occurring probiotics which can support gut health, immune health and digestion. Studies have also shown a connection between gut health and cognitive health. Therefore, a healthy gut may help to improve mental health, mood regulation as well as cognitive function.

How To Make Fermented Honey Garlic

First, peel garlic cloves from the garlic bulb. The exact amount does not matter however I aim to have about 1 cup of garlic cloves. Add the garlic cloves to a small glass jar and top with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, commonly referred to as ACV. This step is completely optional, however it can provide peace of mind for those we are worried about botulism related to honey and the bacteria growth that occurs during the fermentation process. It is very unlikely that botulism would grow with this recipe. However, for peace of mind you can add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar which will improve the pH making the environment unfavorable for botulism. In addition, never feed honey or fermented honey garlic to babies ages one year old and younger. Fill the jar with raw local honey that has not been pasteurized leaving a small bit of room at the top, as during the fermentation process the honey will bubble. Pasteurized honey is highly processed and during the pasteurization process, key health benefits and nutrients of honey are lost. When you buy and consume raw honey you ensure that the amazing health benefits of honey are intake. Add a lid and place in a cool dark place such as the pantry. I like to add to a small bowl under the jar as the honey can bubble over and spill out as it starts to ferment. Every day secure the lid on tight and rotate a few times to ensure the garlic is fully coated with honey. Then slightly loosen the lid once it’s upright again. Continue this pattern for one month and then enjoy! You can technically eat the garlic or honey at any time during the month. However, waiting the full month will ensure a truly potent fermented honey garlic. Enjoy!

How To Eat Honey Garlic

Fermented Honey Garlic has many wonderful medicinal properties and therefore you can enjoy the honey straight by the spoonful or pop a clove of honey garlic for a flavorful and potent treat that will support your immune system!

You can also use fermented honey garlic in any recipe or beverage where you would naturally add honey or garlic such as on toast, in homemade salad dressings, to sauces, a cup of tea and beyond.

I love making these easy homemade dog treats for our dog Ruby. They are made with just 4 simple ingredients; oats, peanut butter, banana and water.

You will need one and a half cup of rolled oats, one ripe banana and a fourth of a cup of peanut butter. For my dog, I buy unsweetened and unsalted peanut butter and this is the brand that I like. You’ll also add two tablespoons of water. 

In a food processor, add the oats, banana, peanut butter and water and mix until it creates a very sticky dough.

Then you’ll take a piece of parchment paper on your countertop and add the sticky dough onto the parchment paper. Then place another piece of parchment paper on top and this is going to help keep the dough from sticking to your rolling pin. 

You’ll use a rolling pin to roll out the dough until it’s nice and smooth about a quarter of an inch thick. If the dough is too thin then the cookies will overcook and become too crispy.

Use any cookie cutter shape of choice that you like. I’m using this little flower shape and you’re going to just cut out the shapes of your cookies out of the dough and place on a baking sheet. I also like to bake on a piece of parchment paper for ease. 

You’ll notice that you may have extra dough, so just roll it back into a ball and follow the same steps of covering it with parchment paper, rolling it out and cutting out more cookie shapes so that you’re using up all of your dough. 

Then bake in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Avoid over-baking them, which can make the cookies too hard and crispy. We want them to be soft and easy and safe for your dog to enjoy. 

Then Ta Da! The cutest, most delicious homemade dog treats are made with simple wholesome ingredients that my dog loves, but my kids also love them too because they’re made with just oats, banana, peanut butter and a little bit of water.

Then store these cookies in an airtight container in the fridge.

Every weekend I make one big batch of soup that serves as my lunch during the week. This makes lunchtime easy and makes it easier for me to consistently nourish my body with real, whole foods.

This Blended Green Soup recipe is from my cookbook, The Thyroid Balance cookbook. Did you know that 1 in 8 women will develop a thyroid disorder in her lifetime? Women are 5-8 times more likely than men to have thyroid problems and up to 60 percent of those with a thyroid disease are unaware of their condition!

Postpartum is also a vulnerable time when women may experience a thyroid imbalance.

The thyroid plays a vital role in our health overall. Thyroid hormones impact metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, digestion, our nervous system, bone growth, reproductive health and more. While the thyroid impacts many areas of our health, reversely there are many areas of our health that can impact thyroid function. This is why it’s so important to learn how your body works to understand how to better support, nourish and bring balance to your thyroid and health overall. 

To learn more about thyroid health and how to support thyroid function from a holistic and functional medicine perspective, check out the Thyroid Balance Course. Bonus, you get the Thyroid Balance Cookbook for free when you join the course! 

You do not need to wait until your thyroid lab work indicates levels out of the normal or optional range to start eating to support thyroid health. What you eat today can nourish your thyroid in the present and serve as prevention to support your thyroid health long-term.  

This cookbook is ideal for anyone who wants to eat to support gut health and liver health (as most thyroid hormone conversion takes place in the liver and the gut), hormone health and thyroid health overall! 

The recipes from this cookbook are the exact recipes in my own menu rotation. These are the meals that I make for myself and for my family to support our health. 

I also love that this cookbook includes a section on herbal beverages from teas to easy homemade tonics to support nervous system health, sleep and support the body’s stress response. I know you’ll love this cookbook, grab a copy here!

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Blended Green Soup

This Blended Green Soup is a really delicious and easy soup recipe to meal prep and is a great way to eat healthier throughout the week! 

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken or vegetable soup stock or bone broth
• 1 leek
• 3 stalks celery
• 2 cups broccoli florets, cauliflower also works
• 2 cups kale or spinach
• 1 cup parsley
• 1 cup basil leaves
• 1 medium potato
• ½ cup green lentils or green peas
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 medium ripe avocado

Instructions

• Wash and rough chop all of the vegetables.
• Add all ingredients, except for the avocado into an Instapot and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. If you do not have an instant pot, you can use a soup pot on the stove! Add the ingredients to a soup pot (except the avocado) and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer with a lid on. Cook until the vegetables are soft, which could be up to 30 minutes.
• Let the Instapot naturally vent for 5 minutes, then manually release the remaining steam.
• Add the pitted and peeled avocado to the soup and use an immersion blender to blend until creamy. If you do not have an immersion blender, adding the soup to a regular high-speed blender also works!
• Enjoy!
• Keep stored in the fridge in glass mason jars or glass food storage containers. This soup also freezes well!

There are many products on the market claiming to be a quick cure for an energy boost. Whether it’s an energy drink, a powdered drink mix, a special juice or a supplement, everyone wants long lasting energy levels. As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and credentialed health professional, I believe ensuring you have a good foundation of basic healthy habits in place, otherwise you’ll never truly learn the root cause of the energy imbalance in the first place. 

Below are 5 key good old fashion healthy habits to keep in mind, to develop and to nurture for better energy levels. 

Why Movement Improves Energy Levels 

We live in a sedentary world. We sit in our cars, we sit to work on the computer, we sit to watch television or while reading. This lack of movement can have many negative impacts on our health and one of those is a lack of energy! 

Moving the body daily can naturally support energy levels in many ways. Movement helps to increase oxygen circulation throughout the body helping to bring oxygen to the brain, organs and tissues supporting their functionality. 

Exercise and movement can also support mitochondrial health and the number of mitochondria in the muscle cells. Mitochondria are our “powerhouse” cells and are responsible for producing the energy that we use by generating ATP known as Adenosine Triphosphate. 

Regular movement also improves mood and cognitive health, supports better sleep, provides a boost of endorphins and “happy” hormones and supports hormonal health overall. 

There are also many studies that show that regular movements can support and help ease symptoms of fatigue, anxiety and depression (1). 

A great way to improve your energy levels all day long is to exercise in the morning or go on a mid-morning or post lunch walk! Take movement breaks every 30-60 minutes by getting up and stretching, rebounding on a trampoline, going on a brisk walk or even doing some jumping jacks or squats by your desk. 

How To Sleep For Better Energy Levels

When the body is sleeping it has time to rest, heal and repair. When we are sleep deprived we naturally experience lower energy levels, a decline in cognitive function and mood. Habits that can improve the quality and quantity of sleep include keeping a sleep routine, wearing light clothing to not overheat, exercise during the day to tire the body out at night, avoid caffeine late in the day, limit technology before bed and engage in a relaxing activity prior to sleep such as reading or taking a bath.  

One habit that can interfere with the quality of sleep and can also impact energy levels in the day, that many people may not even be aware of, is mouth breathing.

The best way to breathe is through the nose, also known as nasal breathing. Mouth breathing occurs when someone inhales and exhales through the mouth. Mouth breathing can result in fatigue, bad breath, headaches, snoring and lower oxygen levels. 

Reversely, nasal breathing can naturally filter the air, reducing the risk of bacteria and germs entering your body, use oxygen more efficiently, improve sleep quality, improve energy levels, boost mental clarity and result in less snoring.

If you breathe through your mouth while you sleep, using mouth tape can be a beneficial way to assess if you notice a difference in how you feel from helping your body breath through your nose at night rather than your mouth.

Lunar Mouth Tape is specifically designed to promote nasal breathing at night and improve oxygen intake. Lunar Tape enhances mental clarity by increasing oxygen intake for better brain function and increased oxygen flow supports concentration and cognitive abilities.

This tape is residue free, hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin. Created by Dr. Tomek Pajak, this tape’s unique, lip-only adhesive prevents irritation and ensures comfort. 

Is mouth taping risky? It may pose a risk for people with undiagnosed sleep apnea. However, Lunar Mouth Tape is gentle and effective, with its thoughtfully designed size and shape making it generally safe for most people!

How Proper Nutrition Supports Cognitive Function 

We know that nutrition impacts brain health and brain function (2). The nutrients in the foods that we eat are the fuel and building blocks for a healthy body. The main nutrients we consume are known as macronutrients and include protein, fat and carbohydrates. 

The body needs protein to help build and repair tissues, maintain structure, support the immune system, help maintain fluid balance and act as an energy source. 

The body needs fat to support hormone and cellular communication, to serve as an energy source, to help the body absorb fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin A,D,E, to help with brain development, blood clotting and manage inflammation, to support the nervous system and support healthy skin and hair. Did you also know that the brain is approximately 60% fat? Fat is an essential nutrient for optimal cognitive function and energy levels. 

The body also needs carbohydrates as it is the body’s preferred source of fuel and energy and is broken into glucose during digestion to either use or store as an energy source. 

While there are many food sources that contain carbohydrates such as crackers, cookies, cakes, soda and candy, these types of food provide a quick energy boost while, followed by a crash and also lacking nutritional value. Instead for optional health focus on eating real whole food sources of carbohydrates such as fruits, starchy vegetables, whole-grains and legumes. To further support energy and blood sugar balance, pair a carbohydrate with a protein and or fat which helps delay digestion and a slow and more sustained release of energy. 

In small amounts the body also needs a variety of vitamins and minerals to support energy production, protein and cell building, blood clothing, building healthy bones and teeth, fluid balance, enzyme and hormone production, nervous system function and more. 

The best diet for optimal energy levels includes eating a variety of real whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole-grains and quality protein. While every person’s dietary preferences, health needs and tolerances can vary… a foundation of good health is eating real, whole, minimally processed foods. Eating balanced meals is also helpful for energy levels. 

A balanced meal or snack includes three of the main macronutrients; carbohydrates, protein and fats. To further enrich the meal, adding in fruits, vegetables and focusing on high-fiber whole foods can support digestion, better blood sugar levels as well sustained energy levels. 

Here are examples of a few better balanced food pairings for sustained energy levels!

• Banana (Carbohydrate, Fiber) + Peanut Butter (Protein, Fat, Fiber)
• Apple (Carbohydrate, Fiber) + Almonds and Pumpkin Seeds (Protein, Fat, Fiber)
• Sandwich: Sourdough Toast (Carbohydrate) + Avocado (Fat, Fiber) + Sliced Chicken (Protein) + Lettuce (Fiber)
• Smoothie: Banana (Carbohydrate, Fiber), Protein Powder (Protein), Chia Seeds (Fiber, Fat, Protein), Berries (Fiber), Spinach (Fiber), Almonds Milk 

In short, eating a diet high in processed, low-nutritional value foods will not also deprive the body of proper nutrition for growth, development and health, it will also deprive the body of optimal energy levels. Focusing on eating real, whole foods and pairing foods properly can better support energy levels. 

How Proper Hydration Supports Cognitive Function 

Feeling slow, sluggish and having a difficult time making decisions can result from dehydration. Dehydration can also impact cognitive function. Up to sixty percent of the adult human body is water and therefore staying hydrated is essential for the health of the body and mind overall. Proper hydration helps brain cells communicate, removes toxins and waste through urine, water within the body helps with nutrition transportion, energy and hormone production supporting brain health and cellular communication. 

Great beverage options for proper hydration include filtered water, herbal teas or try adding fresh lemon juice to water. Drinks that contain caffeine such as coffee, black tea, green tea and white tea can also act as a diuretic, which encourages the body to get rid of excess fluid through urine production. Therefore, be mindful of your intake of caffeinated beverages to ensure proper hydration and always hydrate before you caffeinate! 

Limit Placebo Energy Boosters

Caffeine from coffee, tea, chocolate and sugar give us a boost of energy… or do they? Yes, these drinks and foods will give you an energy boost. However, they also can result in an energy crash as well as increase nervous system function which can result in feeling anxious, jittery or on edge. These substances can also interfere with sleep. Therefore be mindful of the quantity and timing of their use. For example, while each person will vary on their level of sensitivity it’s best to avoid caffeinated beverages at 3pm, due to the length of time caffeine stays within the body, this can interfere with sleep perpetuating a cycle of fatigue and low energy levels. 

How To Improve Energy Levels Naturally  

In summary, while there are energy boosting drinks and supplements, nothing is truly as beneficial to your body in the short and long term as movement, proper sleep, good nutrition, hydration and being mindful of your intake of artificial energy sources. Chronic stress can also lead to fatigue and therefore developing healthy habits to manage stressors in life is essential for overall health. Care for your health with these habits and your current and future body will thank you! 

Disclosure: Thank you to Lunar Tape for sponsoring this educational blog post and for your passion in supporting healthy sleep habits and health and wellness overall. 

Sources

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3632802/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2805706/ 

In July we hosted family visiting from out of town and so I made my favorite apple cobbler. This time I added a fun cinnamon sugar quilted pattern on top using parchment paper as a stencil. See the recipe below and I hope you’ll make and enjoy this simple, delicious dessert as well!

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Gluten-Free Apple Cobbler

This gluten-free and dairy-free dessert is perfect for all seasons! This recipe is ideal for a 9 x 13 glass baking dish. I have cut the recipe in half for a smaller serving… but let's be honest! We are always bummed when the cobbler is gone, so the more the better

Servings 0

Equipment

• 1 9 x 13 glass baking dish
• 1 mandoline food slicer
• 2 mixing bowls
• 1 spatula
• measuring cups and spoons
• 1 piece of parchment paper, pencil and x-acto knife
• Oven

Ingredients

Apple Layer

• 10 granny smith apples (or apple of choice)
• 2 tsp teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 tbsp tablespoons arrowroot flour
• 1/4 cup cup maple sugar (or sugar of choice)

Cobbler Crust / Topping

• 2 cups cups of blanched almond flour
• 1 cup oat flour ( or you can use more almond flour or a gluten-free baking flour)
• 1 cup arrowroot flour 
• 3 tbsp baking powder (aluminum free)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup maple syrup (or sugar of choice)
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 2/3 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Quilt Stencil Layer

• Cinnamon
• Sugar

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Thinly slice (I like using a mandoline) the apples and add to a medium size bowl. Add all other apple layer ingredients and gently fold together so the apples are evenly coated. 
• In a separate medium bowl add all the crust ingredients and mix together to create a dough consistency. 
• In a 9 x 13 baking dish, layer your apples evenly. Then (I like to use my hands for this) take palm size handfuls of the dough and flatten smooth and place on top of the apples, continuing until the apples are fully and evenly covered. 
• To make your quilt stencil… design your quilt pattern on a piece of parchment paper and use a (clean) x-acto knife to cut out the shapes / triangles. Press the parchment paper on top of the cobbler gently. In a bowl mix together cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle on top of parchment paper patting in with your fingers the open spaces to fully fill the design. Carefully remove parchment paper. 
• Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for approximately 40 minutes until golden brown. Best enjoyed right away with a dollop of ice-cream! Also best enjoyed for breakfast the next morning with a cup of coffee. Enjoy! 

These are the BEST gluten-free chocolate chip cookies in my opinion! They are soft, generous with chocolate chips and are packed with wholesome ingredients! These cookies just hit the spot when you want a good chocolate chip cookie that aligns with your goals of wholesome eating!

Is this recipe vegan?

Yes! This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and vegan!  

What can I use to substitute the banana, if I don’t like bananas?

Unfortunately, I have not tried this recipe with another fruit or vegetable in place of the banana and therefore I could not guarantee a recommendation that would yield an equally satisfying result in test and texture. Swaps that come to mind however that may work include cooked sweet potato, cooked pumpkin and possibly applesauce! If using applesauce I would omit the water. 

What gluten-free flour can I use to substitute the oat flour? 

Gluten-free flours vary greatly in the end result when it comes to baking. This is due to the fact that gluten-free flours absorb liquid at different capacities which can yield either a crumbly dry texture or gummy texture. Therefore, most gluten-free flour swaps are not an equal one cup to one cup exchange. The only gluten-free flour that I would recommend is almond flour (which will yield a more dense and dry texture) or a gluten-free flour baking mix such as this one. 

What are the health benefits of oats?

I love using oats for baking because they add fiber, protein and a boost of vitamins and minerals. Oats are also affordable and versatile! By simply blending oats into a powder, you can create oat flour. Leave the oats whole and you can make oatmeal, overnight oats, energy bites, energy bars and so much more. Studies show that regular consumption of oats may support weight loss, better blood sugar levels and support heart health. A half a cup of oats contains 5.3 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber as well as a variety of vitamins and minerals such as manganese, phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc, folate, vitamin B1, vitamin B5 as well as calcium and potassium. 

Do oats contain Glyphosate?

Glyphosate is an herbicide used to kill weeds. Glyphosate residues have been found on some foods such as cereals and grains, including oats. For those concerned about glyphosate residues related to oats, choosing an Organic oat or even better an Organic oat that is certified Glyphosate-free such as this one. 

Can I use a different sweetener than maple syrup?

I LOVE using maple syrup in my recipes as a sweetener because it provides a boost of vitamins and minerals, whereas traditional white granulated sugar is void of nutrition. Maple syrup also provides a rich flavor profile! You could swap the maple syrup for granulated sugar although this would yield a crispier cookie versus a soft cookie. 

Are cookies really healthy?

These cookies are homemade and made with a variety of real, whole foods that are packed with protein, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Traditional store-bought cookies are highly processed and often lacking in fiber or any nutritional value. In my opinion, this is a GREAT option for a decadent treat that is still nourishing for the body! As someone who likes to eat cookies regularly, I love making these cookies for myself and for my husband and children knowing that they are enjoying a treat and nourishing their body at the same time. 

How long do these cookies last?

Keep these cookies in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and enjoy them for 5 days. You can also store these cookies in the freezer and enjoy them within 3 months. Because these cookies do not contain preservatives I would not store them in the pantry or any warm environment, which could lend to mold growth. 

What bakeware do you use?

I love using a Silpat for baking cookies such as this one and the cooking sheet I have is this one!

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The BEST Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Servings 0

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 bananas
• ⅓ cup peanut butter
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoon water
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
• ⅓ cup chocolate chips

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Blend 2 cups of oats in a high-speed blender to create a fine powder, which is the flour for the recipe.
• In a medium bowl mash 2 bananas until you create a smooth paste. Then add in all wet ingredients; the maple syrup, peanut butter, vanilla extract and water.
• Add in salt, ground flaxseeds, cinnamon and oat flour and mix together well.
• Lastly, fold in the chocolate chips. This recipe calls for ¼ cup of chocolate chips but truly, you should measure chocolate with your heart! Feel free to add more chocolate chips if desired.
• Using a small ice-cream scoop or spoon dollop of even size batter onto a baking sheet lined with a silpat, parchment paper or lightly greased with coconut oil.
• Bake cookies for 15 minutes and then let cool on a cooling rack.
• Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and enjoy them for 5 days. You can also store these cookies in the freezer and enjoy them within 3 months. These cookies are delicious cold or you can simply reheat in the oven for 1-2 minutes if you prefer a gooey warm chocolate chip cookie.

More Healthy Recipes

For more healthy and delicious recipes, check out my cookbooks here!

MORNING BASKET

Black and White ABC Cards

Character Cards

Colorful ABC Cards / Manners / Hygiene Cards

Everyday Graces Book

Manners Can Be Fun Book

Connoisseur Kids (Etiquette, Manners Books)

ABC Devotional

Preschool Morning Binder

Primer (Kinder) Morning Binder

Days of the Week Poster

Months of the Year Poster

Apply Study (Nutrition Program for Kids)

Pumpkin Study (Nutrition Program for Kids)

Daily Rhythm Cards (Visual Kid Calendar)

My Online Shop!

MORNING VIRTUES

This is the program we’ll use for Hymn, Bible Verse, Manners, Hygiene and Read-Alouds!

Gentle and Classical Press Primer & Sequence 1

LANGUAGE ARTS

The Good and The Beautiful (We’ll be using preschool, pre-k and 1st grade in 24 / 25

READING / PHONICS

Dash Into Learning Phonics Program – Code: HGG15 for 15% off

Bob Books

WRITING:

Dash Into Learning Handwriting Program

Draw Write Now

Draw / Write Paper

A Reason For Handwriting (We’ll be using level K and A in 24 / 25)

SPELLING

A Reason For Spelling (We’ll be using Level A in 24 / 25)

MATH

Math U See

Good and The Beautiful

Learning To Tell Time Clock

Telling The Time Flashcards

SCIENCE

Good and The Beautiful

Nature Study

HISTORY

Gentle and Classical Press – Sequence 1

Adventures To The New World: Part 1 and Part 2 (Coming Soon!)

GEOGRAPHY

Gentle and Classical Press – Sequence 1

Home Geography Book

The 50 States Book

OUR WORLD GLOBE!

SOCIAL STUDIES

Me On The Map

Art + Music Program

ENRICHMENT

Spanish – First 100 Words Book

Piano – Hoffman Academy (code LEARN for 10% off)

BOOKS

A Child’s Garden of Verses

A Children’s Book of Virtues

Aesops Fables

Mother Goose

The Tree Book

Little Pilgrim’s Progress

The Ology

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Disclosure: Many of the links above are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission when you shop through my link! This does not cost you anything extra, rather by shopping through my links or from my online shop here it makes it possible for me to continue to keep create videos! Thank you so much for supporting my small business! Thank you also to A Reason For, Little School of Smiths and Lovevery for gifting us with your programs this year!