Oatmeal Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

I did something this morning that I haven’t done in quite a long time…I went to a yoga class!  I can’t remember the last time I actually went to a yoga class.  I practice yoga fairly consistently at home, but I forgot how nice it is to be in a class.  I was at Yoga North, which is very close to our house.  I actually ran there with my mat strapped to my backpack.  I probably didn’t need to run, but I figured it would warm me up.  It was so nice to be in that quiet, calm space for an hour.  I was thinking, if someone were to ask me why it has been so long since I’ve done something like this, the honest answer would probably be…mom guilt.  I have a hard time making space for things I enjoy doing in this busy season of parenting.  I feel bad leaving B in charge of the kids or I feel bad that I haven’t been present enough with the kids.  Mom guilt is a real thing and can be very difficult to combat.  But here’s the truth: I’m very present in my kids’ lives and a loving partner to my husband.  I don’t need to feel guilty about leaving to do things I enjoy every once in awhile.  So why do I?  I think some of it comes down to the battle against shame.  There are a lot of voices that want me to think I’m not doing enough or not good enough as a mom.  It’s crazy how loud these voices can get at times.  Something I try to practice is acknowledging these things as lies, lies that might still be affecting me, but simply lies.  I don’t want to spend my time as a mom of littles constantly feeling like I’m not doing enough.  I think you can apply this concept to many areas of life.  Focusing on our deficiencies is fruitless.  Accepting that we are flawed humans is good, but partner that with a blanket of grace.  Everything we do should be woven together with an understanding that we all need grace.

So, these cookies.  I wanted to make a healthier cookie that the kids would enjoy.  This is the result and they are great!

Oatmeal Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes 20, 30 min

Ingredients:

2 bananas

2 eggs

1/4 t cinnamon

1 t vanilla

1/4 t salt

1 t baking soda

1/2 t baking powder

1/4 c coconut sugar

1/4 c coconut oil, melted

1 c almond flour

1 1/3 c oats

2/3 c chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375 F
2. Mash bananas in medium bowl until all large chunks are gone and it is fairly creamy.  (You’ll still have some small chunks, which is just fine)
3. Add the eggs and whisk into the bananas.
4. Add the cinnamon and vanilla and stir to combine.
5. Add the salt, baking soda, and baking powder one at a time, stirring well in between.
6. Add the coconut sugar and coconut oil and stir to combine.
7. Add the almond flour and stir well.
8. Add the oats and stir and fold them into the dough.
9. Fold the chocolate chips into the dough.
10. Place parchment paper on a baking sheet, scoop the dough into balls, and place them on the cookie sheet about 1 1/2-2 inches apart.
11. Bake for 15 min.

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