Gluten Free Energy Balls

Gluten Free Energy Balls

• 1 cup gluten free oats - you can use old-fashioned oats whole, or process them a bit for a finer texture
• 1/2 cup smooth almond butter
• 1/2 cup ground flax seed
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips or cacao nibs (optional)
• 1/3 cup honey 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl, cover, and chill for 30 minutes.

Once chilled, roll into 1" balls and store in the refrigerator for up to one week. Makes 20-25 balls.

Original recipe can be found at: Gimme Some Oven.

Grilled Black Bean Burgers

Grilled Black Bean Burgers

This delicious meatless recipe is from my mom. It's filling, full of good nutrition, and always satisfies the men in the group too. Just add a bun and any normal hamburger toppings!  Enjoy!

1 lg. onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 T olive oil
1 medium carrot, shredded
1-2 t chili powder (depending on taste)
1 t cumin
1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed (or you can just use 2 cans of black)
1 1/2 c quick cooking oats
2 T dijon mustard
2 T soy sauce
1 T ketchup
1/4 t pepper
 
In a large skillet coated with cooking spray, saute onion and garlic in oil for 2 minutes. Stir in carrot, chili powder, and cumin; cook 2 minutes longer or until carrot is tender. Remove from heat. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mash beans. Stir in oats. Add mustard, soy sauce, ketchup, pepper, and carrot mixture. Mix well and shape into 3 1/2" patties. It will make about 8. Fry in a non-stick frying pan coated w/ cooking spray, or bake on a stone until heated through and nicely browned (about 30 minutes on 350).

Super yummy w/ salsa on top! These also freeze really well.

Amy's Peanut Butter Cookies

I love everything about these cookies! They are crispy, but dense, a little bit healthy b/c of the oatmeal, and oh so delicious! My sister is the best baker of these babies...mine are never quite as good. But lucky for me, she'll make them for me for a treat every now and then because she knows they're my favorite :-D

Amy's Peanut Butter Cookies

{Photo Credit}

1/4 cup plain, nonfat, Greek yogurt
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar (or sucanot)
1/3 cup packed brown sugar (or 1/4 cup honey)
1/2 cup peanut butter (I use natural-crunchy is best, but creamy is ok too!)
1 egg (or two egg whites - only one if you are using honey)
1 t vanilla extract
1 cup flour (I use whole wheat)
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1 t baking soda
1/4 t salt

In a mixing bowl, cream butter, yogurt and sugars; beat in peanut butter, egg, and vanilla. In another bowl, combine flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Stir into creamed mixture.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet (these always come out better on a stone).

Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool for 1 minute on pan before removing to a wire rack. Yield: 2-3 dozen

Crockpot Irish Oatmeal

Do you remember when I posted about loving breakfast foods, but hating the fact that breakfast takes place in the morning? Yup. Not a morning person. BUT, non-morning people unite and take heart! I have found a recipe for Irish Oats that I am in love with. You just throw everything into your crockpot before you go to bed, and wake up to a nice hearty bowlful of steaming oatmeal. {{cue angel chorus}}

 

Crockpot Irish Oats

1 cup steel cut oats (also called Irish Oats) - CANNOT substitute rolled oats!
4 cups water
1/2 cup milk
1 t cinnamon (opt.)

Spray crockpot with non-stick cooking spray - trust me, this will make clean up soooo much easier! Stir together oats, water, milk, and cinnamon if desired. Cover and set on warm for 8-10 hours. If you have an older crockpot, set on low. If you wake up in the morning, and the oats are too watery for your tastes, turn the crockpot up to high for a few minutes. - The original recipe called for dried fruit, but I thought the extended cooking time leached the sweetness out of the fruit, and into the oatmeal - which made the oatmeal taste good, but the fruit taste a bit bitter. I prefer adding my raisins/craisins/cherries/blueberries/whatever-fruit-I-have right before eating now. I also like maple syrup, honey, and yogurt as optional stir ins!

*This recipe works just as well with non-dairy milks such as rice, almond, and soy.

Enjoy!