Any Time Cookies - No Sugar and Gluten-Free!

Yes, you read the title correctly.

Any. Time. Cookies.

These cookies are full of ingredients that are both healthy and delicious, so you can eat them without feeling guilty! They are gluten-free, and sweetened with fruit, so there is no sugar either! For a quick on-the-go breakfast or afternoon snack, these really hit the spot! I found one to be filling, but my fiance needed two of them to be satiated.

Thanks to Danielle, who was a guest blogger at Nourished Kitchen, for creating and sharing this amazingly delicious recipe!

The Any Time Cookies are super easy to make, and if you don't have the exact dried fruits/nuts called for, you can easily substitute. For example, the fiance finished off our dried cherries and I haven't bought more yet, so I used raisins instead. I'm curious about adding some cacao nibs in too! Maybe next time...

Any Time Cookies (makes 12 cookies)
Ingredients:
1/4C Coconut Flour (you can find this at Whole Foods, Bob's Red Mill makes a great one!)
1/2C Almond Butter
6 Dates, remove pit and soak in warm water to soften (about 15 minutes)
3/4C Shredded, Unsweetened, Dried Coconut
1/2C Apple Sauce, unsweetened
2 Eggs, beaten
1 1/2t Cinnamon
1t Vanilla Extract
1/4t Sea Salt
1/2t Baking Soda
2T Dried Cherries, unsweetened
2T Walnuts, chopped
3T Currants

Directions:
Note: If you have a food processor, use it! I don't have one, so I used my VitaMix. While a blender will work here, it is not ideal.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In your appliance of choice, combine the coconut flour, almond butter and dates. Blend for about one minute, until the dates are in small pieces.
- Add the dried coconut, apple sauce, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, salt and baking soda. Blend for about 30 minutes, until combined and a wet dough forms.
- Add in the dried cherries, currants, walnuts (or whatever dried fruit and nut combination you're using) and pulse to combine. You don't want to chop up the fruit!
- Using two large spoons, measure out about 12 cookies onto the baking sheet. They do not rise or spread, so make them the shape you want (dip the spoon/spatula in water to prevent sticking) before they go in the oven.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes (depending on thickness), until golden brown on the top and edges.
- Let cool, and eat immediately. Danielle also recommends freezing them, just take the cookie out early and let it defrost for about 15 minutes first.

Great Grains! Mom's Breakfast Porridge

Okay, I realize this may not be the most appetizing photo...but I promise it tastes divine!

I spent the night at my mom's house recently, and before going to sleep for the night, she asked me what I wanted for breakfast. Oh, the joys of having someone else prepare food for you! :-) She's eaten healthy for as long as I can remember, so I simply told her, "I'll have whatever you're having."

The next morning, I walked into the kitchen to the delicious smell of grains cooking on the stove. I thought it was oatmeal, but it turned out to be something much more delicious. And much healthier too! All sorts of whole grains, cooking in almond milk and spices. I couldn't wait to dig in! She spooned some into a bowl for me, and I added in toppings from the assorted jars she'd placed on the counter: coconut, nuts, cinnamon, chia, flax, and maple syrup.

It was a delicious start to my day, and was very filling! I didn't feel stuffed at all, but it kept me going until lunch time, and I didn't even need my usual mid-morning snack. Thanks Mom for sharing the recipe with me!

Mom's Breakfast Porridge (serves 2)
Ingredients:
3/4C any combination of steel cut oats, quinoa (rinsed), millet, teff, amaranth
2C Water
1/4C Almond Milk (or your milk of choice)
Dash of salt, nutmeg, and cloves
Splash of Vanilla Extract
Ginger (about 1t fresh, or 1/2t dried)

Toppings: (any combination you desire, to add after cooking)
Chia Seeds
Ground Flax Seeds
Shredded Coconut
Cacao Nibs
Gogi Berries
Nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, pecans)
Cinnamon
Fruit (such as berries or banana)
Honey or Maple Syrup to sweeten

Directions:
- Be sure to rinse the quinoa well if you're using it. The grain naturally contains a coating called saponin that makes it taste bitter (and has a laxative effect).
- Put your desired grains into a pot with the milk/water mixture, and heat on the stove.
- Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer.
- Simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes (keep an eye on it so you don't almost burn it like I did!).
- Let it stand about 5 minutes, this will thicken the mixture.
- Spoon into bowls and mix in your favorite toppings! If it has gotten too thick, add some more milk and stir.