Flavorful Friday: Gluten-Free Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies Recipe!

Romans 15:14 NIV
"I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another."


I believe that God has put in each of us a strong heart, a guide between right and wrong, good and evil.  We know deep in our heart of hearts how to live full and satisfying lives, yet sometimes we stray.  How wonderful to have friends and loved ones in our lives to remind us of our goodness, to steer us back onto the path that is straight and narrow.  It takes bravery and courage to speak truth in love to someone who may be making poor choices.  I recently rebuked a dear friend when I noticed her doing something that seemed out of alignment with the life she says she wants, with the person I know her to be.  It has been truly inspiring to watch her take in this information with the love with which it was offered, and to use this insight to transform her life and her actions.  I hope that when someone approaches me to instruct me in my ways that I can handle it with the grace and dignity she has shown.

To celebrate her, today I offer this fabulous Gluten Free Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookie Recipe!  She recently surprised me with some yummy homemade chocolate chip cookies, so here is my return favor.  With pumpkin in abundance in the grocery stores this month, here's a new way to try this healthy ingredient in a whole new way.

How have you used pumpkin lately?  I'd love to hear from you in comments below!

Yours truly,

Country Mama Hippie Chic
aka Brandi Schunk
bouncybrandi@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/CountryMamaHippieChic

PS- Keep an eye out on my Facebook page this weekend for on-the-spot updates from the Gluten & Allergen Free Expo in Dallas!  Click here to get your discounted pre-event tickets now!

PPS- I'll be posting in the coming weeks sharing highlights from the Gluten & Allergen Free Expo that starts TOMORROW in Dallas!  Dallas Market Hall - North Hall, 2200 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207.  I'm so excited!

Gluten Free Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Gluten Free Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

This recipe is loosely based on a list of ingredients that a relative told me after sharing her cookies with our family.  Her cookies used wheat flour and called for a lot more sugar, so I set out to make a healthier, gluten-free treat.  This cookie is very mild, so you’ll want to add more sugars or honey if you like things a little sweeter.  This recipe is also very forgiving, so feel free to experiment with ingredients and measurements, and add the optional ingredients to fit your own personal taste.

Ingredients:

1 Can (15oz) 100% Pure Pumpkin

1 Egg, beaten, at or near room temperature

1 Tbsp Butter, softened

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

¼ C Sugar

1 Tbsp Honey

½ C Almond Flour or Almond Meal

¼ C Coconut Flour

1 Tbsp Chia Seeds

½ tsp Cinnamon

Pinch of Nutmeg

Pinch of Celtic Sea Salt

1 C Uncooked Old-Fashioned Oats

Instructions:

In a medium bowl mix Pumpkin, Egg, Butter, Vanilla, Sugar, and Honey.  Beat on low speed until well blended.  In a small bowl combine Almond Flour or Meal, Coconut Flour, Chia Seeds, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Celtic Sea Salt.  Whisk gently to mix all dry ingredients together.  Slowly add dry ingredients to wet mix, blending on medium until well combined.  Add Oats, stirring with a spoon until oats are fully incorporated into the mix.

Using hands, make Tablespoon size balls of dough and flatten them to about ¼” thick, making a cookie that is about 2” wide.  Place cookies an inch apart onto parchment lined baking sheet.  Bake in preheated 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 15-17 minutes, or until firm and slightly browned around the edges.  Remove to a wire rack to cool.  Store in a container with a lid sitting on top, but not sealed.

Serve warm with a big, cold glass of your favorite milk and enjoy!

This cookie is great for breakfast, dessert, or just as a snack!

Optional Ingredients:

Chopped Pecans

Brown Sugar

Molasses

Maple Syrup
Pumpkin Pie Spice

Flavorful Friday! Spinach Watermelon Refresher Recipe

Flavorful Friday!  Spinach Watermelon Refresher Recipe

John 4:14 New International Version “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Even as fall firmly establishes itself with cooler temperatures across the region on the heels of a big storm, I thought I would give Watermelon one last hurrah of the season.  As of last week, Watermelon could be found at bargain prices, and perhaps you still have a few ripening in the remains of your summer garden.  Here is a recipe I put together this summer that instantly became one of my favorites.  I love this beverage on hot summer day as a nice afternoon pick me up, and it could serve as breakfast as well.  Not to mention, this is a great way to get kids excited about drinking their greens!  Enjoy!

Also today I wonder if you might do me a quick favor?  Some people have noted that they signed up on my blog to receive emails when I post a new blog entry, but they have not been receiving any notifications.  If you have entered your email on my site, will you kindly let me know if you are or are not receiving these updates?  Thanks so much for helping me deliver these health-minded messages to you in a timely manner.  = )

Yours truly,

~ Country Mama Hippie Chic

AKA Brandi Schunk

Spinach Watermelon Refresher

Servings: 1

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 Handful Chopped Cold Watermelon

2 Handfuls Fresh Spinach, washed

1 Handful Ice Cubes

½ C Filtered Water (or Water Kefir or Kombucha)

Instructions:

Place all ingredients in blender and blend well.  Serve in a tall glass and enjoy!

Options:

-Add some of your favorite Protein Powder

-Add ½ - 1 C Yogurt or Milk Kefir