My kid has always been pretty darn cute, but lately his cuteness is pretty unbearable. When he’s not being a total pain in my you-know-what (which is about 50% of the time these days) he is actually making me consider having another one. He’s been dishing out the love and sweetness that even his tantrums are adorable. For example, the other afternoon I had to make a quick trip to Target for, like, two things (which of course ended up being 20 things). We were doing our normal round when he demanded we buy the yogurt that comes with the candy on top (I don’t know the name). He points and says, “I want dat one momma. DAT ONE!” “No way”, I say, “that’s rubbish” (I don’t know why but he responds well to that word). The whining begins. Then he sees hot dogs. Ugh, you guys. He flipping loves hot dogs. I get it, they’re hot dogs. If I didn’t know better I would love and eat them too. But, I know better, and know that if I bought hot dogs my child would literally eat them all in one sitting (which reminds me of a separate story, but I’ll save that for a different day). Anyway, his Nana buys hot dogs for him, so now, he expects hot dogs all.the.time.
No. Just no.
I walk away from the hot dog aisle empty handed. He looks at me, squishes his little face together, forces tears out of his little eye balls and says, “But pleeeeaseeee, maaamaaaaa. Pleeeeeaaaseeee! I weally weally love hot dogs.” Must avoid eye contact, must avoid eye contact, “I know, my little love, but the answer is no.” The protests get a little louder, but unlike several months ago, it’s less whiny (thank goodness). He shouts as loud as he can, “YOU A BAD MAMA!” I look down at this little human who had, just a few years earlier, been living inside me and laughed. I just laughed. It some ways, it must be so hard to be three. But then he started laughing, too, and completely forgot about the hot dogs.
So, future self, if you ever re-read this post and wonder when you started getting the itch for a second baby, it was about 3 1/2 years after the first. But it’s just a little itch, your travel itch is bigger.
Anyway, in other more important news, it’s National Oatmeal Cookie Day!!!
We all know how much I love cookies and oatmeal cookies are definitely some of my favorite. You guys, these cookies are like soft pillows of delicious oatmeal chocolate goodness. Made with no butter or oil and totally gluten free, what’s the secret to these pillows of goodness? Almond butter. and shredded coconut. and flax seeds.
I gave some away to a friend who just had a baby and they were a huge hit (plus, they’re great for milk supply, just sayin’). My husband was pretty (very) bummed when the rest were gone in two days, so I can guarantee I’ll be making more of these very very soon.
- 1.5 cup gluten-free rolled oats
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2.5 tablespoons toasted flax seeds
- 16 ounces almond butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 5 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 8 ounces dark chocolate chopped into small chunks
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl gently whisk together the oats, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, shredded coconut and toasted flax seeds until combined. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the almond butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla on low speed until smooth and creamy; approximately 2 minutes.
- With the mixer still on low, slowly add the dry oat mixture to almond mixture, mixing just until combined. Remove bowl from the stand and, with a large spoon or spatula, stir in the dark chocolate chunks.
- Scoop (approximate) 2 tablespoon rounds of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving enough room between each ball for them to expand. Bake each batch for approximately 10-12 minutes.
- Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
Enjoy!
