Carrot-Oat Breakfast Cookies

In the past I have posted about my favorite, cookies for breakfast!

Click here to check out that post.

But just to recap... I occasionally receive a small recipe booklet in the mail from Ralph's (or Fry's here in Arizona) grocery store. They have done a lot over the years to appeal to the more health conscious customers, and so far all of the recipes I have tried have been very tasty!

These cookies are healthy'ish, at least in my opinion anyway. They are high in Vitamin A and are naturally sweet without using anything but maple syrup and coconut oil to sweeten it. I made a few tweaks to this recipe to make the cookies a tad bit healthier. The original recipe called for using canola oil, but I used coconut oil instead. I found the original recipe to be a bit runny, so I suggested to use 1/4 of ground flax seed in the recipe as well, which the original recipe did not call for. I'm glad I found a good reason to add in so much flax seed, as it provides a ton of Omega-3's and has numerous health benefits.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Bake Time: 10-12 minutes | Total Time: 30-32 minutes
Makes About 20 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup whole-wheat four
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 cup ground flax seed
• 1/4 cup Grade B maple syrup
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup grated carrots
• 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Combine flour, oats, baking powder, nutmeg and salt in the work bowl of a stand mixer outfitted with the paddle attachment. Mix until well blended.

Add maple syrup, coconut oil, eggs, coconut, grated carrots, walnuts and cranberries. Stir just to blend.

Arrange the cookies about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.

Transfer to the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown.

Let cookies cool completely before removing from baking sheet.

Serve immediately or store in airtight container in the refrigerator.

Cinnamon Spiced Coffee

I have been super short on time lately. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being busy; it makes me feel productive and the days seem to go by faster. But I have made some pretty big life changes lately, and I'm having to look for additional ways to maximize time during my morning routine.

I'm usually scrambling to get out of the door in the mornings trying to make it to class on time. My school takes punctuality seriously, and if I clock in one minute past 8am, I automatically get 4 hours deducted off of my time card. Ouch!

I like to exercise in the morning, make lunches for everyone, and spend some quality time with my kids before we part ways until the early evening.  I usually end up eating breakfast in the car or when I get to class, and I have been skipping coffee when I need it now more than ever.

So, I decided to make my coffee ahead of time to save myself some time. The recipe below is enough for 4 days worth of coffee for me, but I only have one cup a day. If you drink more coffee, simply adjust the measurements below to better suit your needs. I am only in class Monday through Thursday, so that's all I need it for. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy those few extra minutes in the mornings!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of brewed coffee
• 2 cups of coconut milk
• 1 cup of protein powder (I used vanilla, but chocolate would be good too)
• 1 dozen dates, pitted
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

 

Essential Oils:

• 4 drops of Protective Blend

(You could also use peppermint, cinnamon, orange, or any other essential oil that is safe for consumption..

You could also just completely omit the essential oils, and still have a fabulous cup of coffee.

For more information on how to purchase these oils, please feel free to contact me.)

Instructions:

Brew the coffee according to the manufacturers recommendation.

Place the coffee in a blender and store in the refrigerator until it is room temperature.

Once cooled, add coconut milk, protein powder, dates, and spices.

Blend in your blender (I use my Blendtec) until the dates are fully liquefied.

Add essential oil (optional).

Store in a glass jar in the refrigeration until ready to use.

Nerdy Extras:

Protective Blend Essential Oil helps to support healthy immune function and is full of antibacterial properties. It is a blend made up of orange, clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary essential oils.

FDA Disclaimer: "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease."

Scalp Stimulating Deep Conditioner

Many men and women face the unfortunate problem of thinning hair. Hair loss has many causes including aging, stress, illness, genetics, pregnancy, and menopause. The majority of shampoos and hair products out there contain synthetic materials which can also contribute to thinning hair.


For those with thinning hair, or those who generally want healthier hair, below is a list of ingredients to avoid if possible:

• Propylene Glycol - May cause dry skin and skin irritation.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Laureth Sulfate - Cleansing/foaming agent that may corrode hair follicles.
• Oleyl betaine - May cause dry hair and scalp.
• Mineral oils - Clog pores and may inhibit healthy hair follicle health.

It may come as surprise to those of you who know me, but I have thinning hair. You wouldn't think so by looking at me, because thankfully I have fairly thick hair,  So far it is not very noticeable. But seriously, I lose ...SO... much hair!!! I'm pretty sure it is due to genetics in my case, but it bothers me, so I decided to try to fix my problem with an at home scalp stimulating deep conditioner. I was hesitant at first, because rubbing oil directly onto my scalp sounded like a greasy mess. I'm so glad I tried it though, because the results were amazing! My hair was not greasy at all. In fact, my hair actually had significantly more body at the root. I could see the difference after only one treatment. The shaft of my hair was so smooth and revitalized.

Below you will see a before and after picture of my hair. Both pictures were taken first thing in the morning with no product in my hair. I washed my hair at night and put my hair up in a bun, so both pictures show my hair completely natural and air dried. Don't judge me!. Pictured on the left is obviously my hair before the treatment, and pictured on the right is my hair after the treatment. My hair looked and felt so much better! Who knew homemade hair products could work so well?!

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces Coconut Oil
• 3 ounces Jojoba Oil

Essential Oils:

• 9 drops Clary Sage
• 6 drops White Fir
• 3 drops Rosemary
• 3 drops Cedarwood

(I only use therapeutic grade essential oils that are safe for consumption.

For more information on how to purchase these oils, please feel free to contact me.)

Instructions:

Combine all the ingredients and blend in a blender or a food processor until well combined.

Store away from the light in an airtight container.

I like to apply the conditioner once a week on dry hair, before getting into the shower. I start by massaging small amounts of the product into my scalp. Once I feel like my scalp is saturated I apply the product very gently to the shaft of my hair. I then put my hair into a high bun and let is sit for a minimum of thirty minutes. Once I'm ready, I get into the shower and shampoo and condition my hair like usual.

There you have it! An easy and effective homemade conditioning treatment for pennies on the dollar!

Nerdy Extras:

Coconut Oil is an excellent conditioner for the hair and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It is made up of saturated fats, vitamin E, vitamin K, and Iron. It also softens the hair and conditions the scalp.

Jojoba Oil loosens and removes hardened build up on the scalp. Many scalp related problems, including hair loss, are caused by a hardened build up of sebum on the scalp which clogs hair follicles and creates scaling. If the build up is not removed, it can eventually interfere with the hair follicles ability to function properly. This is why jojoba oil makes such a fantastic base for do it yourself hair treatments; it cleans the hair follicles and allows the hair to function normally. Additionally, jojoba oil won't make your hair greasy if you have oily hair, as it naturally regulates the amount of sweat your hair follicles are emitting. Many people assume because they have an oily scalp they don't need to condition it. This is not the case, and the reason why many people with oily hair have flaky scalps. Jojoba oil also is an excellent moisturizer for dry hair. It really is great for all hair types.

Clary Sage is a very interesting essential oil with many uses. In this case, it strengthens hair follicles, which significantly reduces the amount of hair loss.

White Fir Essential Oil is said to have natural cortisone-like effects that often stimulate hair regrowth.

Rosemary Essential Oil stimulates the hair follicle; which as a result enables the hair to grow longer and stronger. It has been known to help treat and prevent dandruff and flaky scalps.

Cedarwood Essential Oil reduces dryness and hair loss by promoting healthy hair.

FDA Disclaimer: "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease."

Mint Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies

Life can get pretty hectic at times, especially during this time of year when the season of change is upon us. I don't know about you, but when too much change is going on in my life, I get a little stressed - and when I get a little stressed I crave sweets! Horrible habit, I know; but I'm working on it! Here's to my 80/20 rule! Anyway, I feel good about these cookies because even though they are full of butter and sugar, they contain a few healthy ingredients too, ha! Plus they are super filling and really you only need one to satisfy your sweet tooth and fill your belly.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of butter, softened (2 large sticks)
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup evaporated cane sugar (or any granulated sugar)
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons of organic vanilla extract
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup of finely shredded dehydrated unsweetened coconut
• 2 tablespoons of carob powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 cup of chocolate chips (1/2 bag)

Essential Oils:

• 5-10 drops of Peppermint

(You could also substitute cocoa powder for the carob powder, 
and peppermint extract for the peppermint essential oil.

I only use therapeutic grade essential oils that are safe for consumption.

For more information on how to purchase these oils, please feel free to contact me.)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Lightly grease a large baking sheet with olive oil.

Cream butter and sugars.

Mix in eggs, vanilla extract, and peppermint essential oil until well combined.

Slowly mix in the flour, coconut, carob powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add in the chocolate chips. I used 1/2 a bag, but you could add a whole bag if you wanted. Stir until combined.

Drop large tablespoon sized balls onto baking sheet.

Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring .

Nerdy Extras:

You could always throw in some extra healthy goodies like flax, wheat germ, or even some rolled oats like I did for this batch. Sometimes I even like to sprinkle a little bit of flax on top of the cookies before baking. 

Dehydrated, shredded coconut -- also called dessicated coconut -- also makes an excellent add-in. It's full of dietary fiber, which helps stave off hunger and helps prevent digestive disorders (ie. constipation, hemorrhoids). It also full of minerals, like iron, which helps with circulation. Iron drives new cell growth, and helps to maintain healthy tissue function. I know a lot of people tend to shy away from coconut due to its high fat content. Coconuts are full of healthy fats though, and it's important to incorporate them into our diet. These fats can even help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. 

Peppermint Essential Oil promotes oral and respiratory health, along with alleviating occasional stomach discomfort. 

FDA Disclaimer: "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease."