Super Easy Peanut Butter & Banana Cookies {Gluten Free}

Heading out for dinner at a girlfriend's house tonight, I wanted to make something pretty quick and relatively nourishing.    Here's what I came up with (of course after using a few recipes for inspiration).

Peanut Butter, Banana & Cacao Cookies {Gluten Free}
Prepped & Baked in <20 min!
{Makes 12 large or 24 small}

1 c crunchy organic peanut butter
1/2 c organic brown sugar
1.5 smashed ripe bananas
1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c cacao nibs (or chocolate chips)


In a food processor, first puree bananas.  Next, add all ingredients (except cacao nibs) and pulse until blended well.  Fold in the nibs.  Spoon onto a lightly-greased, foil lined cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.  THAT'S IT!

These turned out tasty!  I used less sugar than what other recipes called for, so these aren't too sweet. In fact, they'd be a good breakfast cookie.  They're soft, chewy, delicious and satisfying.   The cacao nibs are a crunchy superfood alternative to chocolate.

P.S. I am a FOOD RENEGADE!

http://www.foodrenegade.com/fight-back-friday-january-11th/

PB and Banana Probiotic Smoothie {vegan}

Probiotics and gut-bacteria are a hot topic of discussion these days, for good reason! The easiest and most delicious way for me to take my probiotics is in this breakfast smoothie! This is one of our favorites and I can say that I never get sick of the peanut butter and banana flavor.  Here's the recipe first, and then some info and thoughts on probiotics.

Peanut Butter and Banana Probiotic (and Prebiotic) Smoothie!

Ingredients:

1 banana (prebiotic)
2 tbsp organic peanut butter (prebiotic)
2 ice cubes
Approx 1 c almond or coconut milk
1 c dark leafy greens (Rainbow Chard here) (prebiotic)
1 tbsp (large pinch) sea dulse
**Klaire Labs Vital-10 Probiotic Powder 1/4 tsp  (probiotic)

Directions:

Blend and enjoy immediately. The peanut butter and banana flavors definitely overpower the greens and dulse.  

**Consult your Naturopath to find a probiotic product that's right for you.

Nutrition: 

366 calories
12 g protein
20 g fat
42 g carb
Rich in both micro and macro nutrients!

PROBIOTICS and THE GUT

Do you take a probiotic?   There's a lot of information, both helpful and misleading about these "good bacteria" right now.  What is a probiotic?

Probiotics are living microorganisms which colonize the digestive tract and help support the proper functioning of the human body. It's important to understand not all forms of bacteria considered beneficial to the body are termed "probiotic." Instead, this term is reserved only for those bacteria capable of withstanding the highly acidic environment of the stomach while passing to other areas of the digestive system to perform their life-sustaining duties. ~Dr. Matthew Marturano, ND. 

Antibiotics and a highly processed diet have joined forces to wipe our systems out of the good kind of bacteria, making it easier for "bad" bacteria and other parasites and yeast to thrive.  Over 100 million Americans have stomach issues, but reculturing our gut with the "good bacteria" can help heal many digestive symptoms like IBS, GERD, Bloating, Constipation, etc. Once we get the good bacteria or probiotics in there, we also have to feed them so they can thrive in a happy healthy environment - your gut!

SOURCES OF PROBIOTICS:

• Fermented vegetables like kimchi, sauerkraut
• Kombucha (a fermented sweet tea grown from a SCOBY) or kefir milk or water
• Yogurt - choose an organic or greek variety, not fruity high-sugar stuff and please not Activia
• Cultured grains like sourdough bread
• Probiotic supplement (from a naturally occurring strain - not this pharma crap like Activa, Culturelle, etc. They have made these strains in a lab which is why they can patent them)

Along with the probiotic, we need a PRE-biotic to feed the gut bacteria. As you'll see, these are high-fiber plant based foods.

SOURCES OF PREBIOTICS:

• Fruits like banana, raisins, apples, blackberries, blueberries
• Whole grains like oatmeal, wheat, barley, rye (WHOLE means whole; in it's unprocessed form)
• Legumes like beans, lentils, peanuts, etc. 
• Vegetables like dark leafy greens, onions, garlic, asparagus, artichoke & more

So, you can see why this is the perfect probiotic & prebiotic smoothie.   Hope you enjoy!