Cranberry Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies & Weego!

These fab gluten-free vegan nut-free treats can be made in about 10 minutes and enjoyed immediately.  This is a huge plus if you're in a time crunch but want a little treat or boost of energy.  Stir up a batch and enjoy!  I made these a week or so ago after being up since 2 am pumping milk and feeding two little babies.  I then had the energy to walk for an hour with two wee ones attached to me.  When I can run again in a few weeks (I CANNOT WAIT!)  I'll have to report back if they make a great treat to take along on a long run.  I find myself fantasizing about long runs constantly...

Walking around Pacific Grove and the aquarium with the wee ones

In the meantime, my fitness regime is walking.  Though it is amazing to get out of the house alone with my thoughts, I always feel guilty or like something is missing after about 15 minutes.  Alas, my babies don't love being strapped in the wraps I have tried together; usually at least one starts wailing though they don't mind being wrapped solo.  Anyways, I wanted an easier alternative than trying to strap two screaming babies to me with a length of cloth (there is a reason that most of the instructional videos I found for baby-wearing twins uses stuffed animals for a demo!)

When I googled twin baby carriers, I found one that looks ridiculous (though I hear it works well, I'm too vain for that one, at least for now), and then I stumbled across the Weego.  I. am. obsessed.  The babies LOVE it, and quiet right down immediately.  The best part is they fit wonderfully at 4lbs, and fit great now at about 6 lbs each, with plenty of room for them to continue to grow into it.  Plus with their gradual weight gain, I'm getting stronger, so it's a win for everyone.  It's literally the only way I can guarantee them to stay quiet for at least an hour, as they are instantly lulled to sleep when I walk with them in it.  My mom and I were even able to walk to a sushi restaurant, sit down and (quickly) eat, and walk home.  Not a peep!  Plus, it is way easier than trying to manage a stroller.

You will make fans everywhere!  At the sushi restaurant
 (the lady in the background is the best part, though)

For a $10 voucher off any Weego enter code 12200 on Weego.com (the single baby ones look great too, but if you're a twin mama, it is a must!)

Seriously though, send me a message to ask me any questions; I adore it and it has been a lifesaver.

My view!

Trying it out! The Weego Twin Carrier

Sooo back to the treat that you probably came her for:

If you make these delish no-bake cookies with regular sunflower seed butter or almond butter, add a little honey (1/4 cup or so) for mixture to hold together a little and taste sweet.  If you'd like less sweetness, omit the honey or nondairy chips.  I adore this cookie with Wild Friends Honey Sunflower Seed butter and no, I am not endorsed or paid by them--I just love supporting companies I love, especially ones started in Eugene, Oregon!

Cranberry Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies
Yields 20 medium cookies

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Honey Sunflower Seed Butter (or any seed or nut butter)
1/3 cup apple juice-sweetened cranberries (or raisins)
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1 cup gluten-free oats
1/2 unsweetened shredded coconut
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/4 cup mini nondairy chocolate chips
3-4 TBSP water

Directions:

1.  In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients.  Add as much water as needed so mixture is not too crumbly.
2.  Chill for 10 minutes.  Roll into little balls and eat!  Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or so.

Pack some in a plastic bag, strap the Weego carrier on, and now you are ready to conquer the world!

Weego on the beach!

my handsome hubby with the girls!

Cranberry Chai Granola

The spices make it smell sooo good: just like the holidays.  Better and yummier than potpourri!

I woke up recently craving granola: specifically a lightly sweet spiced granola.  I also felt like a little pre-holiday baking to get me in the spirit (yes, I've already started listening to Christmas music whenever I walk the dogs...)

This granola recipe was inspired by the Nektar Honey Crystals I was given to play around with recently, and I must say I am very happy with the flavor the honey provides--also to be quite honest, it's much easier than messing with a sticky honey jar and trying to make sure the honey gets incorporated in.  I'm also happy to announce that one of you will get the chance to win your very own jar of Nektar Honey Crystals!  To enter, head over to Instagram or facebook and let me know what your favorite holiday-time breakfast is.

Christmas came early!

One of you will win your very own Nektar Honey Crystals

Unfortunately most granola has gluten, or at the least, is made with oats that are not certified gluten-free, meaning they likely are cross-contaminated by either being used on the same machinery as wheat or in the same facility as wheat.  Even if you can procure some gluten-free granola, more often than not it contains lots of cane sugar or oil.  I avoid most nuts and flax due to sensitivities, so long story short, I've rarely had a store-bought granola that didn't make me sick.  Luckily, granola is pretty simple to make and stores for quite awhile.  Here's a granola almost everyone can enjoy, and best of all, there is absolutely no oil, and just a touch of honey sugar and apple-juice sweetened cranberries.  Hurrah, a delicious guilt-free filling holiday breakfast at last!

Cranberry Chai Granola
Oil-Free & Gluten-Free

Ingredients:

3 cups gluten-free oats
1/2 cup millet (uncooked)
1/3 cup sesame seeds
3 tablespoons chia seeds
1/3 cup sunflower seeds
3 tablespoons Nektar Honey Crystals
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1/4 cup + 2 TBSP fresh-squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup apple-juice sweetened cranberries

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 300 degrees and line a pan with a silpat, or parchment paper.

2.  In a large bowl, mix oats, millet, seeds, honey crystals and spices.

3.  Juice half an orange (1/4 cup plus a little extra), add to the mixture and stir, coating ingredients.

Any orange juice will do, but it is best straight from the fruit!

4.  Lay granola mixture on the pan and bake 30 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon every 10 min as not to burn.  Add the cranberries at the end, baking an additional 5-8 minutes.

5.  Let cool and serve.  If cooled completely will keep in an airtight container for several days.

Pumpkin & Gratefulness

If you've ever practiced being grateful in a tangible way, such as writing down on paper several things you are grateful for, or writing a handwritten note to acknowledge someone and express your gratitude, then you know how rewarding this can be (for both the giver and recipient).

I am grateful for so many things, but often moments or things (especially the little stuff) slip by unnoticed.  When you are being grateful, you are being present.  I challenge myself and you to write down every day for a week what you are grateful for, and see how it affects your mood or outlook.  If you can, try to do this in a space without distractions.  Be still in nature, or keep a journal by your bed to record these things that you are thankful and grateful for in your life.  Focus only on that task; set the cell phone or laptop aside and put pen to paper.

If you have access to healthy foods, then there you go: there's one!  I am so incredibly grateful to have access to whole, nutritious ingredients and the tools and capability to prepare my own, nourishing food that sustains me on my runs as well as my daily routines. If you've read my previous posts and recipes, you'll notice I am a pumpkin fanatic--not just during the holiday season, but year-round.

Hopefully, you'll be grateful for this fab treat that is delicious and packed with pumpkin-y goodness.  If you're not a pumpkin fan yet, keep this in mind: pumpkin is an extremely nutrient-dense food and contains an abundance of vitamins and minerals while being low in calories.  Here's just a few specific goodies in pumpkin:

• Beta-Carotene: an antioxidant that is converted to vitamin A in the body.  Foods such as pumpkin rich in beta-carotene may protect against asthma, heart disease, reduce the risk of cancer and delay body degeneration associated with aging.  
• Fiber and Potassium: The Fiber, Potassium and Vitamin C in pumpkin all promote heart health. Increased potassium has been linked to a reduced stroke risk.
• Iron: consuming iron from plant sources such as pumpkin may help boost fertility according to Harvard Medical School Health Publications. 

"Consuming one cup of cooked, canned pumpkin would provide well over 100% of your daily needs for vitamin A, 20% of the daily value for vitamin C, 10% or more for vitamin E, riboflavin, potassium, copper and manganese at least 5% for thiamin, B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, niacin, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. (1)" 

Sounds good to me!

Pumpkin Cranberry Cookies

Flourless Gluten-free Cookies with no oil or added sugar

Yields 12

Ingredients:

¼ cup organic coconut oil

3 tablespoons raw honey

2/3 cup pumpkin seeds

2/3 cup apple juice-sweetened cranberries (or raisins)

1-1/3 cup gluten-free oats

¾ cup unsweetened coconut flakes

¼ cup ground chia seeds

¾ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ginger

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

2/3 cup (heaping) pureed pumpkin

2 eggs (or chia "eggs" or egg replacement of your choice)

Directions:

1. Melt coconut oil and honey in the microwave or stove top.
2. In a large bowl, mix seeds, cranberries, oats, coconut, and spices and salt.  Stir in pumpkin and eggs, and add coconut oil honey mixture.
3.  Divide into 12 cookies, bake at 325 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes.  Let cool 3 minutes on a wire rack, then enjoy!

These make an excellent breakfast choice as well.  Alternate options are to omit the honey and add in semisweet or nondairy chocolate chips, or any other dried fruit.  You may also use almond flour in place of the coconut flakes if you prefer.

A sneak peek into my workstation: recipe testing and developing while watching "Once Upon A Time."  Yay for Princess Anna!

Resources:
MNT. August 30, 2014.  What are the Health Benefits of Pumpkin.  Available at: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/279610.php Accessed April 24, 2015.