The Battle

Today, I went to battle. I went to battle with my "INNER CHILD". Life has been a bit stressful lately. And when stress hits, my INNER CHILD appears and says "I want to eat COOKIES"! Bleah, ADULT ME has been trying so hard to eat healthy, but INNER CHILD keeps screaming, "COOKIE"! Not just any cookie, either. INNER CHILD wants a cookie that tastes GOOD. With gooey chocolate, yeah . ADULT ME wants a cookie that is healthier than what I can find in the stores. Why don't healthy cookies taste good???? IT'S NOT FAIR, cries "INNER CHILD". Poor, poor me. Sniffle

Ok, ok, time to pull up my big girl panties and deal with it! If I can't buy a good tasting, healthy cookie, I'll make some! (INNER CHILD is doubtful of this and is sulking in the corner at the moment. I'll show her!) Hmmm,now what could I use that would help alleviate my stress, be healthier for me, and most importantly, TASTE GREAT, so INNER CHILD will stop that awful whining? Off to the internet I went, to research ingredients. Ok, we all know oatmeal is good for us, but INNER CHILD is demanding more than just a plain old oatmeal cookie. Alrighty, then. Research some more. Well, all of the stress reduction diets I found recommend the following items be eaten: Protein, Omega 3, B1, Folic Acid, B6, Selenium, B12, Magnesium, Inositol. Sheesh! Now, what has all that stuff in it???? Hmmmm. Oatmeal cookies still sound pretty good, but it doesn't have everything I need in it. But wait, I think I've got it! Tweak this, add that, EUREKA! The delicious results may surprise you as much as they did INNER CHILD! After reading the recipe, see the note at the bottom regarding what ingredients I used and why.


"Alligator Pear" Oatmeal Cookies w/Blueberries & Dark Chocolate Chunks
(Highly Recommended by my "INNER CHILD")
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup mashed "Alligator Pear", another name for avocado , very ripe (1 whole avocado) Shhh, don't tell "INNER CHILD", but avocados are an excellent butter replacement!!!! She'll never even taste it in these!
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup unbleached + 1/4 cup whole wheat flours
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 tsp cloves
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup chopped dark chocolate (I used some leftover Easter candies INNER CHILD didn't know about)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup flaxseed
• 2 ounces dried blueberries
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Beat butter with the brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the avocado pulp.
3. Add the egg and the vanilla extract and mix thoroughly.
4. Sift flour, baking soda, salt and spices together and add into the butter mixture. Mix in the rolled oats.
5. Stir in the chocolate chunks, wheat germ, flaxseed and walnuts.
6. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly.
7. Bake 7-8 minutes.
8. Let sit on pan for a minute or 2, then remove to a wire rack to cool.

Yields: 48 cookies
Note:
Protein-provided by nuts and avocado
Omega 3-provided by the flaxseed
B1 & Folic Acid-provided by the whole grain flour and blueberries
B6 & Selenium-provided by the wheat germ, butter, avocado and oats
B12- provided by the egg
Magnesium-provided by the avocado
Inositol-provided by the nuts and whole grain flour.
Additionally, Dark Chocolate works by stimulating the production of endorphin that may give rise to a happy feeling.
Avocados, or Alligator Pears,contain high quality essential fatty acids and proteins that are easily digested. They also contain 14 minerals which regenerate and stimulate growth. They are an excellent source of iron and copper which build red blood cells. Avocados contain sodium and potassium which support a healthy alkaline blood balance. Because of their low sugar content and absence of starch, avocados are excellent for diabetics or sugar-sensitive disorders. This fruit contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, iron, phosphorous and magnesium. Avocado is high in vitamin E which slows down aging. And just so you know, you can't taste it in the above recipe!
Blueberries, for brain health. The anthocyanin, the selenium, the vitamins A, B-complex, C and E, the zinc, sodium, potassium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese etc., among others, can prevent and heal neurotic disorders by preventing degeneration and death of neurons, brain-cells and also by restoring health of the central nervous system. They even heal damaged brain cells and neuron tissues and keep your memory sharp for a long-long time. Researchers found that diets rich in blueberries significantly improved both the learning capacity and motor skills of aging animals, making them mentally equivalent to much younger ones. (Take THAT, INNER CHILD)

So, now the battle is over. INNER CHILD is happily munching her Alligator Pear cookies, getting gooey chocolate all over her face, and ADULT ME is content, knowing she is victorious, once again!