Happy Monday! Can you believe that Thanksgiving is this week? I certainly can NOT, the time just seems to be cruising right along, at least over here.
Today marks the start of the craziest three weeks of my entire life thus far..well actually I remember going to Costa Rica for a 15 day mission trip with my fiance, Chris only three weeks before we got MARRIED..so that was pretty hectic too..apparently I like hectic..
anyways my point was that in just three weeks my hubby and I will be boarding a plane to NYC with my Orangepoppy lute in tow in hopes of wooing thousands of woman at the Shecky's Girls Nigt out in Manhattan!! I am super nervous and even more excited and know that I am going to have to be pulling some all nighters in the very near future..better stock up on my favorite energy drinks to get me through.
and between now and then we are also hosting a rather large Thanksgiving Feast here in my home..gulp. At least I have tons and tons of help from my Dad, Julia and Mom and Sisters in Law. It is going to be so so fun I can wait to light the candles and the twinkle lights on Thursday evening and enjoy a meal with those who I am most thankful for. I am a blessed woman!
but in the midst of all the stuff going on I have been dealing with some health issues and my food allergies have yet again become something I am working very hard to eliminate from my body. I won't bore you all with my medical dramas but this to say, since I am heavily allergic to dairy, eggs AND wheat it has made for some hungry late nights for me. I am so wanting to feel on the top of my game right now physically so that I can get all these things done and not go totally insane and feel horrible in the midst of it all. But lets face it I am a sweets girl you don't have to read this blog for long to know how I love to bake and eat treats. This time of year is the worst..cookies, cakes, baking..
Soo I set to the internet to find something sweet, baked, vegan and gluten free, easy to grab when I can't stop to make something and filling enough to help me keep going..kind of a tall order I realize. I was so pleasantly surprised at the amazing recipes I found. One in particular called "Super Charge Me Cookies" perfect!
I made several changes to these but the basic recipe is in tact. I also doubled it since the original only made one dozen. I thought I would share my version here because I know many of you have busy crazy lives too and want to be running at the "top of your game" and need something easy to grab- these turned out super yummy and are jam packed with goodness and don't even have any refined white sugar or flour. AND the kicker, my boys gobbled them up! I hope you enjoy these as much as I do..good luck this week as you prepare for the holiday, it's a busy time of year but truly so much fun!! xo
Chocolate Cherry Top of Your Game Cookies!
2 cups quick oats
1 1/2 cups spelt flour
1/2 tsp (rounded) sea salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup dried cherries
3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
2 tsp baking powder
2/3 cup flax meal (not flax seed)
1 cup pure maple syrup
6 tbsp almond butter
3 tsp pure vanilla extract
4 tbsp organic canola oil
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). In a bowl, combine oats, flour, salt, cinnamon, coconut, raisins, and carob or chocolate chips, sift in baking powder, and stir until well combined. In a separate bowl, combine flax meal, syrup, almond butter, and vanilla and stir until well combined. Stir in oil. Add wet mixture to dry, and stir until just well combined (do not overmix). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spoon batter onto baking sheet evenly space apart, and lightly flatten. Bake for 13 minutes (no longer, or they will dry out). Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for 1 minute (no longer), then transfer to a cooling rack.
