Most people are not mind readers, so if you have a wish for the perfect Mother’s Day, you may need to drop a few hints. I used to dream of a day where I could relax in my bed for a few extra minutes, maybe with the newspaper and a fresh cup of tea. Then off to a rare workout or walk along the beach. I would wish for a little extra time to do my hair before having a yummy and healthful brunch with my favorite people in the world, my husband and my kiddos. Ha! Sometimes we moms keep doing for others and feel guilty about taking time for ourselves. You know what? We run around at 90 miles an hour every day of the year, it’s OK to have one day where you get put on a pedestal and your loved ones spend the day worshipping you.
But I’ll admit, I’ve never been very good at asking for things. Year after year, we would go out with my husband’s family for brunch to a crowded restaurant or hotel. The men spent a lot of money for average food and lots of noise and this wasn’t dreamy to me. Then two years ago my good friend Melissa told me that her Mother’s Day is spent at the home of her in-law’s and all the guys get together in the kitchen to make lunch for the ladies. LIGHT BULB! So last April, I made a few subtle suggestions and guess what? My husband can take a hint! He organized the troops to cook the loveliest lunch at our home. Never mind that the kitchen looked like something exploded in there, I didn’t have to lift a finger and my hair looked great.
This year we’re doing the same thing and I am totally excited. If this sounds good to you, but there isn’t enough advance warning for your family to mobilize, you can at least make a few suggestions for breakfast in bed…like these breakfast cookies! You can whip them together the day before and suggest that they be delivered bedside on a silver platter with a coffee or tea and some fresh fruit. A little bud vase with a beautiful flower would be nice too, but maybe we shouldn’t push it. These “cookies” are like having your oatmeal and toppings in a tasty and neat little package, and it kind of feels like you’re eating a cookie. Splurge! But look at the ingredients — totally clean and won’t offset that workout you’re going to get in!
If breakfast cookies aren’t your thing (really?), here are a few other ideas to give your family a little help:
- Yogurt and Granola Parfait (make the granola during the week);
- Spinach and Feta Strata (assemble the casserole the night before and have them pop it in the oven in the morning);
- Pancakes or waffles (make the batter the night before); pick your pleasure: whole wheat buttermilk, pumpkin, or oatmeal;
- Overnight steel cut oatmeal (just reheat in the morning;)
- Muesli (make the night before and serve with fresh fruit.)
Happy Mother’s Day to all you beautiful women. I wish I could jump through the computer to give you a big hug. The world is a better place for all you do.
Breakfast Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
- ¼ cup almond meal or sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- ½ cup chopped nuts, I used walnuts and almonds, but pecans are great, too
- 1 cup unsulphured dried fruit, chopped (I used dried dates and blueberries)
- 3 ripe bananas or 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with unbleached parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, coconut, almond meal, cinnamon and salt. Add the nuts and dried fruit combine with the mixture, breaking up the dried fruit so it doesn’t clump together (I use my hands to mix this.)
- In a medium bowl, mash the bananas and stir in the oil and vanilla.
- Add wet mixture to dry mixture and stir to combine.
- Take scoops of the batter either with a 1/3 cup or ¼ cup measuring cup and drop the batter onto the prepared baking sheets. Flatten with your hand to about ¾-inch thick. Bake for a about 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in the fridge after a few days or wrap and freeze.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up and also the rest of the site is really good.
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Also, I shape them into rectangles like granola bars.
Why not?!
It just made another batch. We love these! I use chopped almonds and a bunch of different dried fruit. I buy the lowest sugar variety that I can find. I have given samples to friends and they all really like them, too.
How awesome!
do you have nutritional information for these wonderfully awesome cookies?
Drat, no. But I know there are a bunch of good calorie/nutrition websites, like myfitnesspal.com, that you can plug the recipe into to find out what you need.
Hi Pamela, I love making a batch of these cookies before we travel. It’s so nice to have a healthy alternative to airport food.
Do you have any tips for healthy eating while on vacation? I’m visiting family and friends back home soon, which means lots gatherings with lots of food, as well as many more restaurant meals than usual.
Thanks in advance!
I should do a post on eating better while on vacation because we travel a lot and I have some tips to share — good suggestion!
Yes, please do!
Hi – love your site and thanks for the recipe! Is there something I could substitute for the coconut oil?
Thank you!
Thanks, Mary! Melted unsalted butter would work well for the coconut oil. You might also be able to use a nut butter, but I haven’t tried it.
School cancellations here today in Ohio, so I wanted to make breakfast with the kids. We made these with apricots and mini white choc chips… they are good. My bananas weren’t very ripe, so I think they will be a little sweeter next time. Definitely a keeper. They stayed together. We have nut allergies so substituted the chips for the nuts and used flax meal in lieu of almond. Not as healthy but helped sell them to the kids. Love, love this site.
SO glad you wrote in with your suggestions — all such good ones! I agree, when in doubt, throw in the chocolate chips!
I came across your site while searching for sugar free, flour free and butter free cookie recipes and I am so glad I found this! These look absolutely delicious and SO guilt free. Have been trying to eliminate sugar and flour from my diet but need something to nibble with my tea. These will be perfect, thank you!!
Good for you, Natalie! I’m sure this will keep your sweet tooth satisfied. 🙂
Thanks Pamela for this yummy recipe. It has become a staple in our household powering the kids through early am polo. I add chia seeds (Lifemax Mila is my favorite because it’s sliced which makes it much more bio-avail) and chocolate chips so my kids eat them. I figure what bad the sugar from the chips brings the omega 3’s hopefully combat!
I am making my third batch right now, as my beloved husband has discovered that he loves them. Really great for those who love cookies a bit too much, like me. Also warms up your kitchen, starting to get chilly in New England. Thanks!
cute! definitely not a cookie you need to feel guilt about 🙂