More back-to-school/lunchbox ideas with these unusual but delicious cookies. An after school snack (or afternoon coffee break!) of chocolate chip cookies is both iconic and nostalgic. Who doesn’t want a cookie or three to look forward to and get them through the rest of the day? My daughter always wants a sweet treat in her lunchbox, so I use it as a way to sneak in some healthy goodness. Cookies are a great vehicle to “hide” healthy ingredients in. While these have butter, sugar and chocolate chips (because I want them to actually taste good!!), they are also full of whole wheat pastry flour, oats, almond meal and an extra dose of protein from pureed lentils, which I promise you can’t taste. And if gluten-free or nut allergies are a concern, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with substitute ideas at the bottom of the recipe.
Overnight Oatmeal Chia Bowls
It’s August here in Georgia and for my kids that means back to school. That also means early mornings of making breakfast and packing lunches. I’m always looking for quick and easy meals not only for them but for myself as well. I also love make ahead dishes that are just as good on day five as they were the day I made them. This is one of those recipes. I also love it because it allows for each person in your home to add their favorite toppings so that you never have to hear, “but I don’t like that!”. Cause who really wants to start the morning hearing those words? This recipe is also a great way to start your morning with whole grains, fiber and even a good source of protein. I actually used a nutrition app to plug in these ingredients and will share those nutrition facts at the bottom of the recipe.
Pina Colada Cake
National Pina Colada Day is July 10th, and you can have your drink and eat it too. Nothing says summertime like a tiki cocktail, and when you turn those flavors into a boozy cake, it is pretty much a guaranteed baking win. This cake is packed full of coconut and pineapple in various forms and has rum in the cake, frosting and layering components. The perfect balance of creaminess, fruitiness and rum-ness. Hello summer!