HURRICANE SANDY OATMEAL COOKIES

Today the residual effects of Hurricane Sandy have left snow on the ground and the chilly winds continue to howl outside my windows.  I told myself this would be the perfect day to hunker in and attempt to get caught up on my nutrition homework.  

But of course, throughout the day I have found numerous things to distract myself. Between video lectures regarding the processes of digestion, I headed to the kitchen and threw together some cookies.  What can be better on a chilly day than the smell of fresh cookies wafting from the kitchen?  I can think of nothing better!

My joy of baking cookies goes way back.  When my boys were growing up, I always made it a point to have some home made cookies in a glass jar on the kitchen counter for them.  It made me smile to hear the familiar sound the shiny metal lid made as someone carefully unscrewed it and reached in to sneak a little treat.  I have missed that cookie jar.  

With my nutrition studies, I am now torn with the craving for a tasty cookie, but yet now wanting something with some nutritional input as well.  I struggle with recipes and use my parents (and neighbors) as my testers.  My Mom was always an excellent cook (I am sure that she and both of my grandmothers are the source of my passion for preparing food for others). 

Now I nervously take "healthy" cookie samples to the nursing home. I hesitantly hand one to my mother and hold my breath.  Typically, she takes a bite and turns up her nose.  Perhaps she is the one who instilled in me...no fat, no flavor? I will keep trying to win her approval.  Funny; no matter how old we are, we still strive to please our parents!  

I think I came up with a recipe today that she will enjoy.  It has all the smells, tastes and memories of an oatmeal cookie that she used to make for us when we were kids.  I can't wait to take her one tomorrow and see what she says!  

For me, this recipe is a keeper and my Hurricane Sandy Cookies will be a perfect accompaniment to a warm cup of tea later this evening as I finally get back to my studies! 

Hurricane Sandy Oatmeal Cookies

Mix the following dry ingredients together in a large bowl:

½ cup organic whole wheat flour

½ cup organic spelt flour

1½ cups of organic extra thick rolled oats

¼ tsp organic baking soda

½ tsp aluminum-free baking powder

½ tsp sea salt

1 hefty Tbsp cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg

½ cup organic coconut

½ cup coarsely chopped organic walnuts

½ cup organic raisins

In a small bowl, whisk the following ingredients until smooth and creamy:

½ cup organic sugar crystals (or honey)

½ cup pure coconut oil

1 egg

1 Tbsp water

1 tsp vanilla

Next:

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing only until thoroughly incorporated together.  Pack the mixture into a small cookie scoop and place on parchment lined cookie sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 14 minutes…or until the bottoms are golden brown.

Enjoy with a glass of cold milk or a cup of warm tea.  Listen to the wind howling outside and be thankful that you are safe from the storm!

I'm gonna need more than cookies to get me through this pile of reading...and that's just a small part of it!