No Bake Cookies! Perfect for the Busy Mommy.

I love, love, love, LOVE no bake cookies of almost any kind!

When I’m in a rush, they are my go-to dessert.

The best part? You can make them entirely allergy free.

For your kitchen tools, all you will need is a sauce pot, a spoon for stirring, parchment paper, plastic wrap and a cookie sheet.

First, add 1 cup honey, 1/2 cup coconut oil and 8 Tb unsweetened cocoa to your sauce pot.

On the stove, turn the heat to medium high and bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly. Continue to stir as it simmers and thickens for about three minutes.

Next, remove the mixture from the heat and add 1 cup peanut or other nut butter, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 to 2 cups gluten free old fashioned oats (gf quick oats will work too) and 1 cup shredded unsweetened raw coconut. I ran out of coconut, so we’ll just have to make believe we have some here. Stir well until all ingredients are mixed thoroughly.

On a parchment lined cookie sheet, drop mixture by spoon fulls. Go ahead and make them whatever size you want. No bake versions break all the rules.

Cover with plastic wrap if you’re a complete, nerdy clean freak like me. If not, still cover the cookies. It’s gross if you don’t.

Place the entire sheet in the freezer for 15 minutes or the fridge for at least an hour.

The rest of the instructions are listed below.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some no bake cookies and a cup of green tea calling my name!

No Bake Cookies. Free of most major allergens.

• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup coconut oil (or another unrefined oil, extra light is best)
• 8 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 cup peanut butter or other nut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut (preferably raw)
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups GF old fashioned oats (You’ll know you have too many oats if mixture becomes hard to stir. For this reason, add oats gradually to desired consistency.)

Bring honey, coconut oil, and cocoa to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer for three minutes or until thickened.

Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, vanilla, coconut, and oatmeal. Drop by small to medium spoon fulls onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate until set. If you really want those cookies ‘NOW’, put them in the freezer for fifteen minutes. If you have any left (HIGHLY DOUBTFUL), Store in a ziploc bag or airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.

Happy No Baking!!!!

Good Bacteria in a Cup

Forgive me, my two faithful readers, for my long absence.

I’ve been busy with strep throat, basketball games for the kiddos (four thousand and fifty four games, I’m sure of it), and a fun weekend away helping at our church’s College and Career camp.

Suffice it to say, I’ve been a leeeetle busy.

But not so busy that I didn’t discover a new yummy almond milk yogurt (hence the gross title to this post):

 

I have tried other brands of almond milk yogurt, but so far, this one is my favorite.

Made by Almond Dream, it hosts a variety of good bacteria and also leaves out some ingredients that never agree with me, such as chicory root.

For breakfast, I love to combine the yogurt in a bowl with this:

 

Lifestyle Granolas are the perfect compliment to yogurt. While not all of the varieties are gluten free, several of them are. And they are sweetened with only honey (with the exception of some of the added ingredients, such as cranberries, which are sweetened with sugar), making it just right.

This yogurt/granola combination has become my new favorite breakfast.

Along with bacon and coffee, of course.

Fine. My second favorite breakfast.

But yogurt and granola are easier to prepare. And healthier.

 

Happy Getting Friendly Bacteria!

Thursday Things

Basketball season….. can we have the kids’ end of season tournaments NOW please?

As fun as it is watching my big babies stuff, foul, box out and slam dunk, I am ready to get back to my routines.

Like baking and taking last minute cell phone pictures of the results to share with all two of you who read my posts.

But for now, I’ll just share a few neato mosquito products I’ve run across – literally run, as in running through the store on my way to the next game – at the market.

Van’s Snack Bars

These little guys are just….YUM! The cranberry variety tastes like gingerbread with generous servings of dried cranberries in each bite.

Click on the link above to view all flavors, ingredients and other nutrition information.

Van’s Crackers

They may be small, but, boy howdy! These are some GOOD crackers!

To view and read more about these delightful little bites, click on the link above.

Justin’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups *

If I ever want to feel like all is right with the world, I buy myself a package of these glorious dairy free, gluten free cups of happiness.

Seriously. They boost your endorphins or something like that.

Forget runner’s high. Eat peanut butter cups instead. WAY more euphoric, I guarantee.

*I have found that ONLY the DARK chocolate variety is dairy free. When you click on the link, it will take you to the milk chocolate ingredients. If you cannot partake of dairy, be sure to click on the little ‘dark chocolate’ guy to see his ingredients. That sounded weird. Sorry. Just….you know what I mean.

Bakery on Main Granola

I will admit, this stuff is a little more spendy than I would like it to be.

But, man! Is it GOOD!

I especially like the Cranberry Maple kind. Deeeeeelicious!

And, honestly, a 1/2 cup serving with your choice of milk will fill your stomach cavity and keep you going until lunch time. It’s that hearty!

Click on the link above to see other varieties and nutrition information.

So there you have it! Some helpful little hints to help you eat well and wise (Don’t diss my peanut butter cups. Peanut butter is full of protein….and dark chocolate has antioxidants!).

Happy Busy Days!

Simply Snacks

If you’re out and about and suddenly find your tummy grumbling, allow me to suggest a few yummy snacks to keep you going until the next meal time.

I call these ‘Little Squares of Happiness’. Betty Lou’s Fruit Bars are very similar to Newton style cookies. But healthier and allergy free. And they are delightfully tasty.

Nana’s allergy free cookies are excellent paired with an almond milk latte. They come in the big cookie size as well as packages of little cookie ‘bites’. A variety of flavors make these a fun little snack to indulge in.

If you want something a little healthier than a cookie but with the same sweet satisfaction, go for a Lara Bar! These little packages are super satisfying. They even come in a decadent ‘Jocolat’ collection, offering flavors such as mint chocolate and chocolate coffee. Don’t forget to try their ‘Uber’ style bars as well, which are made from whole nuts and fruits.

It goes without saying that anything from Enjoy Life is a sure to satisfy snack. They offer everything from snack bars to cookies to lip smacking chocolate bars, all free of the major allergens.

If something salty is what you’re craving, Glutino brand offers a variety of crackers, pretzles and bagel chips. While primarily gluten free, I have found some of their products are free of dairy and eggs as well.

I’ll just bet that some of you are now coming up with an excuse to be ‘out and about’ today, just so you can get your hands on one of these snacks!

Well, at least I am anyway! Now where are my keys…..?

 

Happy Snacking!

Fabulous Franz Shout Out!

It’s your lucky day!

Because our good friends over at Franz have created a delicious (and I do mean DELICIOUS!) gluten free, dairy free bread!

There are two varieties:

Seven Grain

and Mountain White.

And there is a little rumor going around their store that within the month they will also be offering hamburger and hot dog buns.

I love you, Franz.

The only drawback for some may be the fact that this bread does contain chicken eggs. But if you do not have a chicken egg allergy, or are fortunate enough to be able to eat this bread without a reaction (a curiosity, I can sometimes eat things that contain chicken eggs. Go figure.), you are going to love it.

I mean it. This bread is fabulous. I don’t even have to toast it. It’s just good all by its lonesome.

And if you are fortunate to live by a local Franz Bakery Outlet, you’ll find the bread for around four dollars a loaf.

That’s a real steal for gluten free bread.

Happy Sandwiching! 

Pack a Little Happiness – Lunchbox Bars

It is that time of the year again: The leaves are turning, the footballs are flying and we mommies are wondering what to put in our allergy ridden child’s lunchbox.

Buying store bought goodies is expensive and usually means we are giving our kiddos not only sugar but bunches of preservatives as well.

Which is why I have my go-to lunchbox bars on hand often. They are easy to prepare, versatile for various food allergies and they also freeze well. Of course, with two almost seventeen year old men children in the house, they never quite make it to the freezer. Or to the cooling rack for that matter.

A warning, though: These bars are so scrumpdillyumptious you will have a hard time not sneaking ‘just one more little, bitty square’. Until you realize you have ‘itty bitty squared’ yourself into about four entire bars. They’re that good.

And now that you’ve been thoroughly warned, here is the recipe. (Remember, all of my recipes can be converted to traditional ingredients.)

Oat or Quinoa Chocolate Chip Lunchbox Bars

• 1 ½ cups firmly packed brown sugar
• (Update: I failed to mention that I only use I cup of brown sugar in this recipe as that amount makes it plenty sweet. However, if you are a sugar miser, go ahead and use the full amount. 😉  You can also use other alternative sugars, such as coconut or date.)
• 1 cup shortening or butter or Earth Balance
• 2 Tb. molasses
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 eggs (if using duck eggs, only 1) or 1 Tb prepared egg replacer or 4 Tb plain applesauce
• 1 cup GF flour mix (or all purpose flour)
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 3 cups GF oats or quinoa flakes
• ½ to 1 cup chocolate chips (Enjoy Life, Guittard or Ghirardelli – check ingredients)

Pre-heat oven to 350.  Cream together brown sugar and ‘butter’.  Add eggs or replacer, molasses and vanilla.  Blend well.  Add all dry ingredients except for oats/quinoa and chocolate chips.  Blend well.  Blend in oats or quinoa.  Stir in chocolate chips.  *If batter is dry, add a little dairy free or regular milk or liquid of your choice.

Spread in greased 9×13 pan.  Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until edges are brown and center is set.  Cool for at least 20 minutes before cutting into bars

Recipe copywritten by The Freak Food Gourmet, Jaime Rohm 2007

Happy Eating Cookies Until Your Buttons Pop!