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Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Coconut Chia Cookies

Venture:  Making Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Coconut Chia Cookies

I decided to try my hand at making cookies again for the third time.  One thing that I have learned about baking is that if you use too much or too little of something, it can cause disastrous results.  Nine times out of ten, you end up having to throw the ingredients away, like I had to do last week when I decided to experiment in the kitchen.  I used a little bit too much baking soda.  This week’s adventure was oatmeal raisin coconut cookies with a little bit of everything added.

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They turned out really good, and besides that, I like the fact that they were really healthy.  You can make these for breakfast or snack.  The flaxseed meal definitely gives you a boost.  Another benefit is that oatmeal is good for cholesterol.  If you like nuts, these would be worth a try.  Have a blessed rest of your weekend.

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oatmeal, chia seeds, cookies, raisins, coconut, milk, vegan, food

Activity:  Making Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Coconut Chia Cookies

Total Prepping and Cooking Time:  40 minutes

Ingredients: 

  • (1/4) cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • (1 1/2) cup of soymilk
  • (1/4) cup of coconut oil
  • (1/4) cup of sunflower seeds
  • (1/4) cup of raisins
  • (1) tablespoon of oil
  • (1 1/4) cup of flour
  • (1 1/4) cup of oatmeal
  • (1) teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • (3/4) cup of brown sugar
  • (1/2) teaspoon of baking soda
  • (1) tablespoon of chia seeds
  • (6) brazil nuts (chopped)
  • (3) tablespoons of flaxseed meal and 4.5 tablespoons of water mixed together

Directions: 

  1. Use parchment paper or grease a full-sized cookie sheet with oil.
  2. Whisk together the following in bowl number one:  flour, oatmeal, baking soda, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, and chopped up brazil nuts.
  3. Mix together the following in bowl number two: olive oil, coconut oil, coconut flakes, flaxseed meal mixture, soymilk, vanilla extract, and brown sugar.
  4. Dump bowl number one into bowl number two and mix well.
  5. Use a cookie scoop to form balls with the cookie mixture and place them on the cookie sheet.
  6. Enjoy and have a blessed weekend!

 

Serves 18

Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

Proverbs 23: 6-7, KJV

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Oatmeal Chocolate Delights

Most people who know me have figured out the fact that I don’t bake a lot.  However, it is something that I have wanted to learn how to get better at, and lately, I am becoming a little bit more courageous about this new adventure.  I usually leave the baking up to my daughter, who can whip up something in a minute.  Yesterday’s adventure was oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

I was pleased with the result, and I had to force myself to stop after cookie number three.  The flaxseed meal makes these cookies really moist on the inside.  The bonus to making these cookies is that I had everything at home already.

oatmeal, chocolate, food, cookies, vegan

 

Activity:  Baking Oatmeal Chocolate Delights

Total Prepping and Cooking Time:  45 minutes

oatmeal, chocolate, food, recipes, cinnamon, brown sugar, milk

Ingredients: 

  • (1 1/2) cups of oatmeal
  • (1/4) cup of semi-sweet organic chocolate chips 
  • (2) tablespoons of flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons of water
  • (1 1/2) cups of flour
  • (1/4) cup of brown sugar 
  • (2) teaspoons of vanilla extract 
  • (1/4) cup of coconut oil
  • (1/4) cup of grapeseed and sunflower oil blend
  • (1/4) cup of sunflower seeds
  • (1) teaspoon of baking soda
  • (1/4) cup of vegan milk (soy, almond, etc.)
  • (1/4) cup of cinnamon

 

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Directions:  

  1. Prepare two cookie sheets by greasing them with the grapeseed oil using a paper towel or optional, using parchment paper.  (I ran out, so there was no option.)
  2. Whisk together the flour, oatmeal, cinnamon, sunflower seeds, and baking soda in a bowl.
  3. Mix together the brown sugar, vanilla extract, coconut oil, and vegan milk in another bowl.
  4. Pour the brown sugar mixture into the dry mixture.
  5. Add the grapeseed blend and stir.
  6. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  7. Use a small cookie scoop to place the dough on the cookie sheets.
  8. Bake at 350 degrees for 22 minutes.
  9. Enjoy!

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” –Isaiah 52:7

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Oatmeal Bowl

I find that there’s nothing as comforting than something warm and soothing in your stomach in the morning.  For me, a bowl of oatmeal seems to do the trick every time.  This recipe is just what you need to get the day going.  Ideas for variety for this oatmeal bowl would be switching out the pumpkin seeds for sunflower or other seeds,  trying goji berries, golden raisins, and other fruit.  On some days, switching out the oatmeal for  grits, polenta, or malt-o-meal might interest you as well.  Brazil nuts can be swapped with walnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews, etc.  

The thing that I like is that you don’t need to use a lot of the ingredients to get in all of your nutrition.  Just the quinoa alone gives you a great protein boost.  Plus, I love the colors that are in this bowl.  Yes, I do like the aesthetic appeal of things.  Just as a tip, quinoa, oatmeal, coconut, and chia seeds are inexpensive when you buy them by the bulk, or you can go to places like Whole Foods to scoop them in your storage containers or bags.  I just recently learned this secret. 

For example, I measured out about $1.30 worth of chia seeds, and it’s been almost three weeks since I bought them, and I still have some left over.  I have found out that every store has certain things that they sell that are inexpensive compared to others.  The sacrifice is the time and energy involved in finding out what items are cheapest in what stores.  If your valley is financial like mine, it is worth the adventure and planning.  Happy eating!

oatmeal bowl ingredients, chia seeds, coconut flakes, quinoa, raisins, vegan bowl

Activity:  Making an Oatmeal Bowl

coconut flakes, fruit and nut bowl, oatmeal, quinoa, healthy living
Oatmeal Bowl

Total Prepping and Cooking Time:  20 minutes

Ingredients: 

  • (8) 42 oz.  containers of oatmeal  – $24.00
  • scoops of coconut flakes –  $3.00
  • scoops of chia seeds  – $3.00
  • (1) bag of pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds  – $8.00
  • (5)  lbs of quinoa  – $16.00
  • (1) 24 oz. container of honey  – $2.20
  • (1) container of regular butter or vegan butter (I like Earth Balance.) – $3.80
  • (6) cartons of milk – $15.00
  • (1) pound of brazil nuts – $16.00 (excellent source of selenium)
  • (2) cartons of raisins – $6.00

Total Cost: $ 97.00

Cost for one day: $3.23

Estimated Duration of Food:  1 month for a family of 4 to 6, 2 months or longer for a family of 1 to 3

Directions:  

  • Boil two pots of water, one having just water in it, and the other, along with quinoa. 
  • While the water is boiling, place the following in small, clear glass bowls, or whatever bowls that you have:
    • coconut flakes
    • pumpkin seeds
    • chia seeds
    • raisins
    • brazil nuts
    • honey
    • butter
    • milk
  • Chop up about three brazil nuts, placing them back into the bowl when finished.
  • Add the oatmeal to the boiling water.
  • After quinoa is done, you can drain off excess liquid with a strainer, and place it into a clear bowl.
  • When oatmeal is ready, add butter and milk.
  • Pass out the bowls and everyone can add their own toppings.
  • Enjoy!

I have been young, and now am old,
    yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
    or his children begging for bread.
 He is ever lending generously,
    and his children become a blessing. 

Psalms 37: 25-26, ESV