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:
- Heat oven to 375 F
- 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)
- Add the eggs and whisk into the bananas.
- Add the cinnamon and vanilla and stir to combine.
- Add the salt, baking soda, and baking powder one at a time, stirring well in between.
- Add the coconut sugar and coconut oil and stir to combine.
- Add the almond flour and stir well.
- Add the oats and stir and fold them into the dough.
- Fold the chocolate chips into the dough.
- 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.
- Bake for 15 min.