Banana Oatmeal Cookies (GF and EF)

I originally found these cookies on pinterest. I just changed the ingredients a tiny bit. Both recipes are yummy. Original post found here: http://watching-what-i-eat.blogspot.com/2012/04/banana-oat-breakfast-cookies.html

You have to think of these cookies as a breakfast food, rather than a cookie. If you are expecting to bite into a cookie, there may be a slight disappointment when you get a mouthful of moist oats and banana. :) Give these a chance though, you will be pleased. I keep mine on the counter to have with my morning coffee.

Another plus.. They are flourless and egg free. Yay!!!  Make an extra batch for the freezer, and pull them out for a quick afternoon snack. The whole family loves them.

You will need:
1 1/2 cups gluten free oats
1/4 cup pecans
1 cup applesauce
2 mashed bananas
handful of cranberries
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. chia

Mix all ingredients and let sit in a bowl for 10 minutes to moisten the oats.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Egg free again :)

Finally a sandwich! Today I packed a hummus sandwich on oat nut bread. Also included: sour cream and onion bunny crackers, frozen peas, strawberries, orange slices and chocolate covered sunflower seeds. I should mention that the sunflower seeds are colored using natural colors from fruits and veggies. We are 100% free of any colors or dyes. :) 

Have a great weekend.

The Dirty Dozen

As I have mentioned before, we are an organic eating family. I realize this is not the choice for everyone, however, this chart provides useful information for those of you who do decide to focus their organic food consumption on produce. The dirty dozen, and the clean fifteen make it easy to remember which foods to buy specifically organic. Visit:  http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/guide/ to download your own wallet size chart.

Colorful lunch (egg free)

Look at this gorgeous lunch.  It is so colorful, how could you not want to eat every bit of it?  This one was definitely a winner for my son. His little face lit right up when I showed him what I had packed today. 

We have a wedge of brie with gluten free almond crackers. Ham triangles separated in a silicone muffin cup, carrot sticks, tomato's quartered, green olives, and cut up strawberries. I know, YUM!!!  Oh yes, and a power bite for his treat.  I also added a little message to remind him during his school day that his mommy loves him.  (Just a special thing we do.)

No bake cookie balls

2 cups oats
1 cup ground flax
1 1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2/3 cup raw honey
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1/4 cup coconut oil

Melt all together over low heat. Cool. Roll into balls and store in the fridge or freezer.  I make a double batch, as always, and freeze the extras. Helpful hint * you might have to hide some in the back of the freezer.  When we were out of our stock in the fridge I went looking in the freezer to find two, yes only two balls left. :) My husband was definitely to blame for that one.

Planet Box

 

I thought it would be a nice idea if I shared my son's lunch box with you. I LOVE this lunch box. It is trash free, so no baggies to throw away. Everything is stainless steel, so no harsh chemicals like in those plastic container lunch boxes, and best of all, it is dishwasher safe. :) The Plant box website offers different options depending on your lunch box needs. Here I chose the Rover lunch box. My son is only four, so he doesn't need the larger compartments. The planet box makes packing lunch so easy. I also purchased the carrying case as well.  Go check out the website.

http://www.planetbox.com/

Preschool lunch (egg free)

This lunch is another egg free lunch option. I packed pasta salad, carrots, cucumbers, crackers with cream cheese spread, an apple and a power bite for a treat. Not much thought went into this one, but it is delicious all the same. Just by cutting the skin of the cucumber , I was able to arrange the slices in a cute pattern.