Monday, August 06, 2012

Happy World Breastfeeding Week!

Here is a recipe that I have made a bunch of times. In addition to being one of the very BEST oatmeal cookies I have ever eaten. They are super duper healthy and delicious. I usually add cranberries, dried cherries, raisins, whatever other dried fruit I have, several handfuls of nuts to add protein and a couple of handfuls of chocolate chips. Whenever I made these for myself or have made them for another mom, my son and husband won't leave them alone. They are very very tasty.

If you're breastfeeding, this recipe will do two things for you: it will help you keep something delicious and easy to eat on hand; and the flax, thick cut oats, wheat germ, and brewer's yeast all promote healthy lactation.

With no further introduction, here it is:

Breastfeeding Cookies/ The BEST (and Best FOR You) Oatmeal Cookies Ever

INGREDIENTS
1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons flax seed meal*
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2-3 tablespoons brewer's yeast**
1/4 cup wheat germ
3 cups oats, thick cut if you can get them
1-2 cups chocolate chips (optional)
1 cup of any dried fruit (optional)
1 cup any kind of nuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mix together 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal and water, set aside for 3-5 minutes.
3. Cream (beat well) margarine and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mix well. Stir flaxseed mixture and add with vanilla to the margarine mix. Beat until blended.
4. Sift together flour, wheat germ, baking soda, salt and brewer's yeast. Add to margarine mixture.
5. Stir in oats then chips.
6. Drop by tablespoons onto baking sheet, preferably lined with parchment or silpat. (Or press into a cookie sheet to make bars)
7. Bake 10-12 minutes for cookies, 18 minutes for bars.