There’s no need to fill your pantry with packaged junk full of processed ingredients, even if you’ve got a hankering for something sweet. It’s easy to whip up something delicious that still has a lot to offer nutritionally.
You’ll find no empty calories here, only the good stuff:
Coconut oil: This tropical oil has been consumed by island nations for millennia, but it has only recently become popular in Western societies. Thanks to the end of the “fear of fat” era, we are now embracing nutritious natural fats like coconut oil. Coconut oil is largely made up of medium-chain fatty acids, which are a potent source of fuel for the brain and the body (rather than getting stored as visceral fat). Be sure to purchase a high-quality, minimally processed organic coconut oil.
Flaxseeds: These little seeds are packed with nutritional value, which explains why they have been getting so much attention lately. It’s estimated that more than 300 new flaxseed products were launched in 2010 in North America alone. The benefits of flaxseeds are derived from three compounds: omega-3 fatty acids, lignans (a type of antioxidant) and fiber — both soluble and insoluble. All of this means that flaxseeds help lower inflammation in the body, heal cell damage and support healthy digestion. What’s not to love!
Protein powder: The average protein powder you buy from the store is probably full of any number of scary toxic additives. However, it’s not too difficult to find a good quality product, or you can even make your own at home. A clean protein powder is a great addition to healthy baked goods because it balances out the macronutrients (carbs, protein and fat) and makes the end result more satiating.
Nourishing Grain-Free Double Chocolate Cookies
These cookies are tasty and filling, so they make a nice high-energy snack, or the perfect dessert to top off a great meal.
This recipe is so simple — just mix up the ingredients in one bowl. Little ones will enjoy getting involved with mixing the dough and rolling the balls to put in the oven.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup coconut flour
- 1/3 cup almond flour
- 1/3 cup flaxseed meal
- 1/2 cup cocoa
- 1/3 cup coconut palm sugar
- 1/4 cup desiccated coconut
- 1 heaped tablespoon protein powder
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil
- 2 eggs
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Heat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Melt the coconut oil, then grab a large mixing bowl and whisk the coconut oil, coconut milk and eggs together.
- Next, whisk in the coconut sugar and baking soda, then gradually add the almond meal, coconut flour, flaxseed meal, cocoa and desiccated coconut. The dough will get quite thick as you are working these in.
- Sprinkle the protein powder over the mixture and knead it in, probably just using your hands. Feel free to add more protein powder to up the nutrition, or if your mixture feels too wet.
- Once the mixture is well kneaded together, fold in the chocolate chips.
- Shape into balls the size of a golf ball, and flatten to the shape you desire — the mixture won’t flatten or spread during baking.
- Bake at 350°F for 15–20 minutes, checking the cookies during the last 5 minutes. You will know they are done when the mixture springs back slightly to the touch. Makes 12 cookies.
Try these nourishing cookies in place of sugar-laced processed treats, snacks or granola bars. They are so tasty, no one will know they are a healthy version! Plus you will feel satisfied and full for hours.
If you need any more convincing, check out the heart health benefits of chocolate consumption.
—The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030298756139
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/prevention/nutrition/food-choices/benefits-of-chocolate
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/282857.php
http://www.webmd.com/diet/benefits-of-flaxseed
http://www.eufic.org/article/en/artid/health-benefits-cocoa-flavanoids/
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/119/10/1433.full