Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have a little secret. 

There is not one spot of flour or dairy in these cookies! I kid you not. Gluten free and only 6 ingredients, you would never be able to tell that they're gluten free either.

These cookies could go up against any old chocolate chip cookie and win hands down. They are crispy yet tender-soft on the inside, and are to die for! I think I'm beginning to have an obsession with cookies... 

This recipe actually comes from Clean Eating magazine. If you haven't checked them out yet, they have a bountiful amount of healthy, good-for-you recipes. Every recipe they put out is full of flavour and you can be happy that it's healthy too. I always love reading the helpful eating and nutrition tips they put in they're magazines.

Who ever said healthy eating tastes bad?

Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies gluten free, vegan (Makes 2 dozen cookies)

slightly adapted from Clean Eating Magazine.

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Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted almond butter
• 3/4 cup organic light brown sugar or sucanat
• 1 egg or 1 chia egg *see note*
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup Enjoy Life Mega Chunks chocolate (certified gluten free & vegan)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350*F. In a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment stir together first 5 ingredients. Stir in chocolate.
2. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls (more if you would like bigger cookies) onto baking sheets lined with parchement paper. Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly golden.
3. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completley.

*Note* To make the chia egg simply add 1 tbsp chia seeds to a small sized dish and add 3 tbsp water. Let this sit for at least 5 minutes to let the seeds fel and absorb some of the water before adding to the other ingredients.

Nutritional Info: (Per Cookie) 110 Calories, 8 grams fat, 1.5 grams sat. fat, 55 mg sodium, 1 gram fiber, 5 grams sugar, 2 grams protein, 10 mg cholesterol

Viola! You now have a delicious cookie that is both gluten free and vegan!!!

Now lets get baking!!!

Peanut Butter Energy Bites

Who like's snacks?

I do! I do!

Snacks play an important roll in giving us a little energy boost when we need it.

If you've ever felt the afternoon blahs when you're lacking energy and contemplating a trip to the candy machine then this is for you. We all know the feeling right? Either you're at the office or going about your day, you're energy crashes and you're now looking for the nearest doughnut shop or what have you. The reason why you hit the afternoon wall is because you're blood glucose has taken a sharp dive. You're as "hangry" as a walrus and probably feel a bit like one too, ready to take it out on someone else.

You can avoid the dreaded afternoon crash by eating frequent mini meals throughout the day and making sure you get a good lunch that includes a combination veggies and/or whole grains and quality protein, so when 3 o'clock rolls around you're not falling asleep at your desk. Instead of reaching for that candy bar or doughnut, first reach for your water bottle and make sure you are well hydrated. Now it's time to make a healthy snacking choice. This part requires a bit of planning but it can be quite easy (and tasty)! It's also important to remember to pair your snack with some protein to keep you from getting hungry again too soon.

So what should you snack on that's healthy? Here are a few examples:

• A hand sized piece of fruit (like an apple or pear) with some nuts
• Veggies and hummus
• Ryvita crackers spread with nut butter
• Hard boiled eggs with some salsa and sliced bell peppers
• Low fat granola and yogurt

Then there are these little gems. I'm excited to share a great recipe with you today. Something else to throw into your snacking repertoire.

These are a great pick me up in the middle of the afternoon and a surprisingly energy packed pre-workout snack that can double as dessert.

A doughnut is tasty, but has no nutritional benefit. These power balls are just as tasty and will leave you feeling good about what you ate. Plus they look like little doughnuts! I swear these look just like the timbits we used to get from Tim Hortons when I was a kid.

Peanut Butter Energy Bites (makes 16 balls)

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Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup dried apricots
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
• 2 tbsp unpasturized honey or maple syrup 
• 1/4 cup vanilla sunwarrior protein powder
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 2 tbsp ground flaxseeds
• 2 tbsp coconut flakes

Method:

1. Place sunflower seeds and oats in a food processor and process until flour like. Now add the dried apricots and process again until crumbly.
2. Add remaining ingredients except for the coconut and process until everything is incorporated and the mixture is well combined. It should be slightly crumbly.
3. Scoop out tablespoons of the mixture with your hands and roll into balls.
4. Roll each ball in coconut to coat.
5. Store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to one week.

*You can also stash these in the freezer and they'll keep even longer.

(If you can keep your hands off them) ;)

This recipe has been shared at Amee's Fit and Fabulous Fridays.