Jamie grew up believing special memories revolved around what you ate:
- A movie requires popcorn, candy and a soda
- Hot summer months require soft serve
- Ball Parks require a hot dog, nachos, and cotton candy
I don't believe memories should center around food, especially processed junk that becomes addicting and has been linked to many health related problems.
Experiences are what you make them, and children only learn to like junk food because we readily give it to them.
Recently, we took a family trip to Disney World (read more about eating healthy around Disney here), and Jamie was relentless about giving Nya some vegan ice cream. "It's vegan!" he kept repeating. Yes, I realize we were on a family vacation, and one should indulge...yada yada yada. But why give her something that isn't good for her? Why get her to like something that is chemically altered to make her brain and body crave it?
Nya wasn't asking for it; Jamie wanted her to have it. This is where we need to break the unhealthy cycle.
Food addiction, unhealthy eating habits, and body image begin in childhood. It's the last thing as a parent you want to be worried and thinking about, but it is important we wake up to this epidemic and create a healthier start for our children.
Where did we begin to accept this philosophy that it's normal, and accepted, to eat processed crap? The majority of our country is sick and suffering disease directly related to diet (For statistics from the CDC, click here. For prevention from the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine, click here ).
One of my goals as a parent was to create and reinvent food that appealed to little ones and allowed them to eat all that they wanted (cookies, brownies, pancakes, etc.), but in a healthy way that actually benefited their health instead of sacrificing it.
Our children come into this life with a clean pallet, and we have the power to help guide them to choose healthier options. It's harder to change unhealthy eating habits as an adult, than to start a child on the right track from the beginning.
Which is where this cookie recipe came in...
Last week I had made some chocolate chip cookies for a friend, and while they certainly were a better option than most chocolate chip cookie recipes, they still are not really good for you. Since then, Nya has been asking me for a cookie, so this morning we set out to make some.
Now I will tell you upfront; if you've ever had a cookie before, these will disappoint you. The flavor is amazing, but the texture is not quite spot on to a traditional chocolate chip cookie. I've experimented with numerous combinations (and while just about any flour will work), I have not been able to achieve the same texture without using some form of processed sugar. These cookies are good, but you need to have an open mind and be ready for a softer, more cake-like texture.
Which is why these are perfect for young children. This is what Nya knows a cookie to be, and because of the ingredients, I don't mind her having one whenever she wants. By giving her the option to choose her food, Nya doesn't get hung up on treats, and she learns to listen to what her body actually needs. Allowing Nya this control sets her up for a healthy relationship with food, instead of a lifetime struggle of portion control, calorie counting, and marketing gimmicks that plague many adults. Nya is also more open to trying new foods and eating what fuels her body instead of focusing on what she "can't have".
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| Dough is DELICIOUS and safe to eat! |
And one less area of a power struggle is heaven to any parent. So enjoy!
What you need:
* 1/3 c raw cacao nibs
Dry Ingredients
1 c spelt flour
1/2 c coconut flour
1/2 c almond meal/flour
1 tsp aluminum free baking powder
1 Tbsp cinnamon
Blender Ingredients
1/2 c natural almond butter (nothing added)
1 c dates
1.5 large ripe bananas
1 c water
2 Tbsp ground flax (or 1.5 Tbsp flax seeds)
1 Tbsp Vanilla
* Cacao Nibs are very bitter. This is the purest form of "chocolate" before it is processed into chocolate chips. This batter is very sweet so it balances the small amount of cacao, but if your little one just can stomach these, feel free to leave out or use traditional chocolate chips. Enjoy Life is a great organic, non-GMO brand that is nut, soy, and dairy free.
** Any flour combination will work here. I've experimented with chickpea, whole wheat, quinoa, and brown rice flours.
What you do:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients and set aside.
2. In a high speed blender or food processor, combine wet ingredients and process until smooth.
3. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir to combine.
4. Stir in cacao nibs (or chocolate chips if you prefer), and scoop onto a silicon baking sheet. Bake for roughly 15 minutes. Makes 18 cookies. Store in freezer to keep fresh.
Enjoy!
Nutrition Info Per Cookie:
Calories: 165
Fat: 8.7 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 7 mg
Carbohydrates: 21 g
Fiber: 5 g
Sugars: 9 g
Protein: 4.1 g
To connect with others in this crazy journey of life, discover new parenting ideas & fun DIY projects, learn about holistic remedies, & find whole food plant based recipes, please visit our Facebook page Loving Green at Loving Green FB.
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