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Let’s Get To Know Each Other

I’ll Go First…

I am a bit of a contradiction, both complicated and simple – an outgoing introvert, an emotional spread-sheeter, a chatty listener.  I am impatiently compassionate and messily organized. I love my family but have no interest in making kid-friendly meals.  I love to travel, yet vacation at the same beach every summer. I love to cook, but use recipes only as inspiration.  I hate to talk on the phone, but desperately need my friends and family to keep my sanity.   I like my smoothies in a bowl, my soup in a cup, my cookies uncooked, my wine pink, my water with bubbles and my coffee with foamed milk. Just about everything I know, I learned from my mother and my daughter.  Now you go….

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Cookie Dough Power Balls

Cookie Dough Power Balls

Rosemary Daum

Did you ever make something where you have to stop, look both ways and see it anyone saw what just happened? That's how I feel after making these Cookie Dough Power Balls. Let's skip over the part where I admit that cookie dough is my downfall and get right to the essence of these yummy balls of healthy goodness.

Let me preface by saying I am not a strict recipe follower. I tend to use recipes for inspiration only, which helps explain why when I bake real cookies, they have a 50/50 chance of looking or tasting right. If that is your style too, I totally understand. However, there is one deal breaker for these Cookie Dough Power Balls – you must use a healthy oil such as MCT oil or brain octane oil. The healthy oil can not be replaced with other unhealthy oils such as vegetable, canola, sunflower, safflower, etc etc etc. (In fact, you shouldn’t use those oils in anything!) I also don't recommend using olive oil or coconut oil mainly because those oils will distort the flavor of the cookie dough.

Add equal amounts of raw cashews and gluten free, organic oats to the food processor. Let's say 1/2 cup each. (I am using a mini food processor because if I make any more than this, there will be trouble!)

Whirl those around in the mini processor until they are ground into a fine flour.

Then add 1 tablespooon of MCT or brain octane oil and 2 teaspoons of 100% real maple syrup. I especially like this Maple Bourbon Syrup from Traders Joes. Whirl that around some more until it the dough starts to come together. You'll know it when it happens.

Toss in 2 tablespoons of chopped dark chocolate or mini chocolate chips and a couple of turns on the Pink Himalayan Trader Joe's Himalayan Pink Salt Crystals or other freshly ground sea salt. Pack the dough tightly into a small cookie scoop to make perfectly round dough balls, cover and refrigerate. This will technically make 12 - 2 teaspoon size power balls, but only count on 11 after you have properly test-tasted the dough.

Enjoy these for breakfast or an afternoon snack!

 

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