Granola Bar Cookies

I'm a big fan of baking with whatever random items I happen to have in my kitchen. That's how this cookie recipe turned into this one! It's yummy AND full of protein and fiber.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/4 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 cup sugar (I used 1/8 cup white and 1/8 cup brown this time)
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 tbsp butter, softened
• 2 tbsp raisins
• 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
• 2 tbsp chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a cookie sheet. Combine all ingredients well. Place "dough" on cookie sheet (make whatever size cookies you want). Bake for about 12 minutes. Cool and enjoy!

Hearty Granola

I just spent my afternoon running 8 miles (half marathon is in only 5 more weeks!), and now I'm in the mood to make some healthy food! About to start some quinoa chili while my granola is in the oven. Will post that recipe next, but here is a FODMAP free twist on my favorite granola recipe, which can be found here.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cup gluten free rolled oats
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/4 cup chopped raw pecans
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 4 tbsp creamy peanut butter
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 325 degrees and grease baking sheet. In a large bowl mix together peanut butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla. Once well combined add in all dry ingredients and coat well. Spread across baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes. Toss granola and bake for another 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Granola will continue to harden as it cools.

Favorite Food Friday

This week's favorite food is... Green Valley's Lactose Free Vanilla Yogurt!

Silk soy yogurt used to be a staple in my diet. When I found out that I shouldn't be eating it and would need to switch over to real yogurt, I was actually disappointed. I've never preferred the taste of regular milk or yogurt and was reluctant to try this yogurt. I have to admit, it did take a couple days to get used to the consistency, but now I LOVE IT. Great lightly sweet flavor, very creamy and rich, and it's really filling too. I would eat twice as much soy yogurt to feel as full. Lately what I've been doing is having it with homemade maple cinnamon granola and a seed and nut trail mix.

Maple Cinnamon Granola

Granola is a great FODMAP friendly snack to have on hand, and it's super easy and fast to make. I really enjoy this recipe with Green Valley's lactose free vanilla yogurt.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 4 tbsp crunchy peanut butter
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease baking sheet. Stir together crunchy peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon. Next add in oats and raisins, and stir until mixed and oats are moist. Spread across greased baking sheet and bake for 6 minutes. Remove from oven, toss oats (to prevent burning on one side), and bake for 6 more minutes or until granola is slightly browned. Granola will continue to harden as it cools.