Chocolate Chip Cookies

Look no further for a chocolate chip cookie recipe, because I've got you covered!  These ooey-gooey, grain-free and delicious cookies are made with just a few simple and healthy ingredients.  This is definitely a treat you can feel good about, so good luck using any kind of self control on these babies.   I know I couldn't.

(And feel free to treat yourself to a spoonful or two of the batter as well!)

INGREDIENTS:

- 1 3/4 cup almond flour (I use this kind)

- 1/4 cup raw honey

- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

- 1/4 cup good quality butter (melted), or extra virgin coconut oil (melted)

- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

- 1/4 teaspoon unrefined sea salt

- 1/4 to 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (I use this kind)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.

3. Mix all ingredients (except the chocolate chips) together in a medium bowl.

4. Gently stir in chocolate chips.

5. Using a cookie scoop, scoop out dough and place on cookie sheet.  Keep 3 inches of space between each cookie.  

Optional: For a flatter cookie, press down slightly.

6. Bake for 6-10 minutes.  The cookies should just be slightly browned.  Do not over bake!

7. Cool for 10 minutes on the cookie sheet (or else they will be too soft to pick up).  These cookies will  be nice and soft once cooled.

Enjoy!!

Makes approximately 1 dozen cookies.

(Store leftovers in a sealed container for 1 week, or in the fridge for a couple of weeks).

(Recipe adapted from here)

Vegetable Lentil Curry

I absolutely love curries and crave them quite regularly, but I don't always want to fuss to make them because of the typical long and complex ingredient list.  I came across a variation of this quick-and-easy vegetable curry dish, and knew it was just what I needed.  With a few adaptations, I found the perfect week night dinner for my family.  

It can't get any more simple or tasty than this!  Yum!

INGREDIENTS:

- 1 tablespoon extra virgin coconut oil

- 1 small onion, finely diced

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced

- 1/2 head of cauliflower, chopped into bite size pieces

- 1 to 2 tablespoon curry powder (1 tablespoon is quite mild but great, and two will give it a pretty good kick if you like things spicy)

- 3 cups vegetable broth (I use this kind)

- 1 cup lentils (I use these already soaked and sprouted lentils)

- 1/2 cup full-fat BPA-free coconut milk

- 1 1/4 teaspoons sea salt

- freshly ground black pepper, to taste

- optional: rice to to serve curry over

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add onions and garlic, and cook for 2 minutes.

2. Add sweet potatoes and cauliflower, then sprinkle in the curry powder, stirring to coat the vegetables.  Continue to cook until the onions are softened.

3. Add the lentils and vegetable broth.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.  Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft.

4. Stir in the coconut milk and heat through.  Add salt and pepper, and serve as is (more like a soup), or serve over rice. 

Approximately 3-4 servings

ENJOY!

(Adapted recipe from here)

Healthy Lunch Ideas For Toddlers

It's always difficult trying to prepare healthy lunches for our little ones; will it take much time to prepare, is it balanced, will my child even eat it?  So I've compiled nine quick and healthy lunch ideas to help out with that lunch time rut.  I always strive to make each lunch as colorful and fun to look at as possible.  I also try to include a vegetable, fruit, and protein in each lunch (and organic whenever possible).  

These are 100 percent toddler approved, and so I hope you'll find success with your toddler as well.  My daughter actually puts her hands to her mouth and gasps with excitement each day when her lunch is placed on the table, and it melts me every time.

Sample Lunch #1:

- hummus (this recipe)

- red pepper

- cucumbers

- blueberries

- raw cheddar cheese

- filtered water

Sample Lunch #2:

- nectarines

- raw cheddar cheese

- healing bone broth

- Pasta with green pea pesto 

- filtered water

Sample Lunch #3:

- green grapes

- raw cheddar cheese

- red peppers drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a dash of sea salt

- sunbutter and honey sandwich (using this grain-free sandwich bread)

- filtered water

Sample Lunch #4:

- blueberries

- Beanitos black bean chips

- cucumbers drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and sea salt

- baked eggs in avocado

- filtered water

Sample Lunch #5:

- steamed sweet potatoes with Irish butter and sea salt

- grapes

- turkey wrap (cucumber, raw cheese, and mustard wrapped in a slice of nitrate-free turkey)

- filtered water

Sample Lunch #6:

- strawberries

- soft boiled egg (boiled for no longer than 3 minutes), sprinkled with sea salt

- cucumber, raw cheese and mayonnaise sandwich (using this grain-free sandwich bread)

- filtered water

Sample Lunch #7:

- strawberries

- raw cheddar cheese

- cucumbers and red peppers drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar and sea salt

- coconut crusted chicken strips (made in advance and frozen; just thaw and reheat in oven), dipped in good quality ketchup.

- filtered water

Sample Lunch #8:

- Pears and raw cheese

- red peppers

- non-GMO tortilla chips

- healing bone broth

- soft scrambled eggs, topped with Irish butter and sea salt

- filtered water

Sample Lunch #9:

- Hummus

- carrot sticks

- kiwis

- blueberries

- soft boiled egg (boiled for no longer than 3 minutes), sprinkled with sea salt)

- Bubbies pickle

Toddlers Enjoy!