Grain-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Eating clean doesn't mean you have to ditch the grains, but if it tastes good, why not? These grain-free chocolate chip cookies are fabulous and you won't miss the grain at all. The recipe is below.

Grain-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 c natural peanut butter
• 1/4 c coconut oil, softened
• 1 egg
• 1/4 c mashed banana (approximately 1/2 of a small banana)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 TBSP maple syrup
• 1/4 c coconut flour
• 1 1/2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 c dark chocolate (70% cocoa or greater), chopped into chunks

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Combine coconut oil, egg and mashed banana, vanilla and maple sugar in medium bowl.

3. In a small bowl, combine dry ingredients: coconut flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and sea salt.

4. Add small bowl of dry ingredients to wet mixture (step 2) in medium bowl. Whisk to combine.

5. Fold in chocolate chunks.

6. Place drops or roll batter into cookies approximately 1 inch in diameter. Place cookies on parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

7. Bake approximately 11-13 minutes. Allow cookies to thoroughly cool to harden, otherwise cookies will be incredibly crumbly.

Makes approximately 12 cookies.

Enjoy!

Strawberry Cherry Spinach Powerhouse Protein Shake

Don't let the word "spinach" scare you from making this delicious protein shake. It's incredibly easy and delicious. Try this after a workout and not only will your muscles be thanking you, but so will your entire body! The spinach in the recipe provides essential vitamins like C, A and K, as well as the antioxidant, Lutein. The cherries in the recipe also add some much needed Vitamin B!

NOTE: This would be really fun to make for Valentine's Day because it is pink, despite the addition of the spinach. The protein powder that you use may change the color slightly. 

Strawberry Cherry Spinach Powerhouse Protein Shake

Ingredients:

• 1 c coconut or almond milk
• 1 c fresh spinach leaves
• 1/2 c strawberries, quartered and stems removed (frozen or fresh)
• 1/4 c cherries, pitted (frozen or fresh)

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• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• desired amount of ice

Directions:

1. Add the coconut or almond milk, spinach, strawberries and cherries into a blender and puree until smooth and well mixed.

2. Add protein powder and ice to blender mixture and blend for approximately one minute.

Makes 1 serving.

Approximate Metrics:

• Calories: 275
• Carbs: 24g
• Protein: 24g
• Fat: 8g

Happy Sipping!

Chocolate Oatmeal Almond Butter Cookies

Chocolate Oatmeal Almond Butter Cookies

adapted from Eat Clean Magazine's Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Almond Butter, stirred well
• 1/4 cup Gluten Free Rolled Oats
• 1/4 cup Sucanat Sugar 
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 3 oz dark chocolate (try Lindt Extra Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa), broken into small pieces

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the first six ingredients until blended. Stir in Chocolate.

3. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls on to parchment lined baking sheets or non-stick baking sheets.

4. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

5. Let cool for approximately five minutes on baking sheets. Remove to a wire rack and let cool for 15 more minutes.

Yields approximately 24 cookies.

He & She Tip: These cookies actually freeze well. Just wrap each individually in plastic wrap and pop in your freezer.

Happy Baking!