Nature Prenatal

Hey there, thanks for stopping by!  I hope you like the recipes I've posted.  As you can see, I don't blog here anymore.  You can find me at www.natureprenatal.com if you would like to see what I'm doing now.  Thanks.

Karen.

Peanut Butter Flax Cookies

Another baby-approved cookie recipe here!  I am so glad to feed my daughter these home-made cookies, knowing that she is actually getting some good nutrition.  Peanuts contain B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, zinc, copper and manganese.  That's a lot of yummy goodness!

Peanut Butter Flax Cookies

1/2 cup unsalted organic butter, softened
1/4 cup coconut oil, softened
1/2 cup natural peanut butter, softened
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup ground natural peanuts
(tip:  grind peanuts in a blender, but not for too long or they will become a paste)
2 free-range eggs
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup ground or whole flaxseed
(tip:  grind whole flaxseed with a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda

Blend together the butter, coconut oil, peanut butter, maple syrup, honey and peanuts.  Add eggs and blend with a mixer. 

In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, flaxseed, baking powder, salt and baking soda.

Mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients and drop onto a baking sheet.  Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees F for about ten minutes.

Makes about 28 cookies.

Nuts

Nuts are high in protein and unsaturated fats, making them a good addition to any diet.  Because of their high fat content, they should be enjoyed in moderation.  Unfortunately, nut allergies are common and for some people nuts can be hard to digest.  Soaking them will help with digestion.  For those of us lucky enough to tolerate them, I say go nuts!

Happy Holidays!

With Christmas right around the corner, I am finding myself quite busy these days!  I don't have much spare time to blog, so I'll be taking a short break.  Please feel free to e-mail me at karen@karenstoyles.com with any suggestions for recipes, or just to say hi.  I will be back in the new year.

Merry Christmas!

Carrot Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

These cookies are yum!  In fact, they passed the ultimate taste test.  My 13 month old daughter couldn't get enough!

Carrot Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

1/2 cup organic butter, softened
1/4 cup coconut oil, softened
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/3 cup honey
1 free range egg
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup ground almonds
2 cup organic quick oats
1 cup organic carrots, shredded and chopped
1/2 cup raisins

Mix the butter, oil, flour, maple syrup, honey, egg, baking powder and cinnamon.  Beat well with a mixer.  Add the ground almonds, oats, carrots and raisins.  Mix well.  Drop onto a cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.  Makes approximately 30 cookies.

Carrots

Have you heard that carrots are good for your eyes?  That's because they contain beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A.  And yes, vitamin A is good for your eyes!  It's also good for your skin and it's a great antioxidant.  That's why I'm featuring carrots for my food of November.

Please come back soon for some yummy carrot recipes!

Pumpkin Bars

Every once in a while I make something that I am really proud of!  Well, ok, I'm proud of all my recipes, but of course, some more than others.  These yummy bars are definitely one of my new favorites!

Did you know that sesame seeds are a good source of calcium?  We all know how important calcium is for healthy bones, right?  With 1/2 cup of sesame seeds, these bars are a great calcium boost!


Pumpkin Bars

2 cups organic quick oats
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup oat bran
1/3 cup honey
2 free range eggs
1/2 cup pumpkin puree

Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees F and grease a baking pan with butter (use one 8 x 8 pan or two 4 x 8's).
Mix all the dry ingredients together and set aside.  Mix all the wet ingredients and blend with a mixer.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix well.  Bake for 40 minutes.  Enjoy!