Flour-less Banana Cookies

And… I’m done!

Another semester complete!

I’m so excited to finally get the chance to sit down and read. My reading list has accumulated to over 20 books, so I’ll be nice and busy for a while 🙂

Of course, I’ll also be cooking and hopefully posting more frequently. To celebrate the beginning of my break, I thought I’d post a a super yummy and quick cookie recipe!

Now, I don’t know if I ever mentioned it, but I’m majoring in math and education. Eventually, I’m going for special education. As an end of the year treat, my teaching program went to New York City this week!

I only went there once before, so I was super excited to go. Unfortunately, we got into NYC at 3, so we only had a few hours to roam around. Because of this, we mostly stuck to the Times Square area.

I didn’t really mind – I was completely content with just looking around at the lights and colors. At night though, I went to my first Broadway play, Cinderella. Normally, musicals put me to sleep, so I was surprised that I loved the play so much!

Next on my list: The Lion King!

Flour-less Banana Cookies 

Ingredients:

1 ripe banana

1 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp salt

2/3 cup oats

2 tbsp raisins and/or chocolate chips

Directions: 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking oil. In a bowl, mash up a banana (I use a potato masher) and add and mix in coconut flakes, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in oats and raisins/chocolate chips. Bake for 13 minutes.

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Power Balls

Monday night, I made a bunch of these power balls to serve as a pick-me-up for my first week back at school. For some reason, the first week of school is always the most exhausting. Probably because I’m still getting into the groove of things, have to deal with getting to school early to figure out parking, and listen to the standard lecture of “here’s what I except of you this semester” over and over again. Needless to say, the days of the week all blur together. Thank goodness for a little pick-me-up.

Now, I’ve been making these power balls for awhile now (not to be confused with my energy balls). In fact, I made them a lot for my sister when she was trying to adjust to her work and eating schedule at her new job. At Halloween time, a bunch of her coworkers brought in candy to share with the office. My sister actually declined the candy in order to eat the power balls as she said that the balls were more tasty and satisfying. Since then, several of her coworkers have asked for the recipe!

 Power Balls 

Ingredients:

1 cup oats

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup shredded coconut flakes

1/4 cup flaxseed

1/4 cup honey

2 tbsp peanut butter (or vanilla) protein powder

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 tbsp total of raisins and/or chocolate chips

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and roll into balls. If the mixture is too dry, add more peanut butter. If the mixture sticks to your hands too much, add more oats. Store in the fridge.

My house Monday night: a factory of power balls 

Energy Balls

I feel so sad. Labor day has arrived. That means the end of summer and back to the books for me 😦 Many late-night-paper-writings to come. Lucky I have these little power balls to give me some energy.

For those weary of dates, fear not- they are not detectable at all. I know this for a fact as my mom, who hates raisins and everything similar to it, unknowingly ate one and asked for another… and then some more.

Energy Balls 

Ingredients: 

1 cup pitted dates, packed

1 cup oats

2 tbsp peanut butter

2 tbsp raw cacao powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon

pinch of salt

Directions: 

Soak dates in water for at least 2 hours. Drain and blend in a food processor until smooth. Add in the rest of ingredients and blend until combined. Roll the mixture into desired-sized balls (you can also shape these into bars).