Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month? This is an annual event held in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The goal is to focus people’s attention on the importance of making better informed and healthier choices when it comes to eating.
I have to admit that I don’t exactly eat the healthiest that I could, but I do make conscious decisions to opt for “better for you” choices. For example, skim milk instead of whole milk, non-fat yogurt instead of ice cream and an orange instead of cookies.
There are also little “tweaks” you can do to your family’s favorite recipes to provide them with added nutrition without compromising taste. You can use applesauce in place of butter in baked goods recipes. Or use egg whites instead of the whole eggs. I even use ground turkey in place of recipes that call for ground beef (like burgers and meatloaf) and my family never even noticed the difference.
I am a big fan of incorporating herbs, spices and seeds into recipes too to not only add flavor but also to add an extra bit of health benefits too.
In honor of National Nutrition Month I was challenged by Carrington Farms and T-fal to create a nutritious recipe as part of their Healthy Baking Challenge.
I have to admit that baking is not my strong point. I am a great cook, but when it come to baking I don’t seem to fare as well. I don’t know why.
I was sent some products to incorporate into the recipe too. Carrington Farms sent me Ready to Eat Organic Flax Chia Blend, Coconut Oil Spray and Coconut Cooking Oil.
I have used their Flax Chia Blend in the past. I have mixed it into yogurt, oatmeal and cereal. I never thought to use it in a baked recipe.
I was impressed that the Coconut Cooking Oil was clear and liquid. We have other coconut oil that changes density depending on the temperature. Sometimes it’s solid white, other times its more of a liquid.
To help me bake my recipe T-fal sent me some of their T-fal Air Bake Cookie Sheets (3 pack). These are much different than cookie sheets I currently own. These don’t have sides, so be careful not to place anything too close to the edge because it could spread out and go over the side.
These cookie sheets have air insulation that prevents the top sheet from overheating, which can help prevent burning. That is the #1 thing I always do to cookies – I burn them or I over cook them and they are too dry.
These 100% aluminum cookie sheets have a special Micro-Dome technology that can help to decrease bake times by up to 15%. I don’t bake often but I suppose that is a good thing for people who bake often.
It wasn’t easy to come up with a recipe idea, but I finally found something that uses ingredients my whole family enjoys.
I don’t have a name for this recipe yet. I asked some friend of mine and they came up with Nutty Oat Pumpkin Cookies and “Everything Good” Cookies.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup of Almond Milk (I used an Almond Walnut Milk)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of Carrington Organic Flax Chia Blend
- 1 cup of canned pumpkin
- 3/4 cup of raw, “old fashioned” oats
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon of Carrington Farms Coconut Oil
- 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup of raisins (I wanted to use cranberries but I forgot to pick them up at the store)
- 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin spice
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions:
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a small bowl combine the Carrington Organic Flax Chia Blend and the Almond Milk. Mix well and set aside for about 10 minutes.
In another bowl combine the remaining ingredients.
Add in the Flax Chia/Almond Milk and stir all the ingredients together very well.
Spray a cookie sheet with Carrington Coconut Oil spray.
Plop spoonfuls of the mixture on to the cookie sheet. They won’t spread out so it’s OK to place them relatively close to one another.
You can top them off with extra pieces of walnuts or even chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
Bake for 15 minutes.
Eat and enjoy!
They turned out pretty good. My teenagers were more than happy to gobble them up. My kids liked the ones I topped with dark chocolate chips the most.
The next time I make these I’ll omit the cooking spray. The cookie sheets are non-stick so they really didn’t need the cooking spray (I used it to be on the safe side). I also think these would taste better with cranberries instead of raisins. I think the tartness of the cranberries would be a nice compliment to the pumpkin and walnut flavors. I might even try these with pecans instead of walnuts.
My kids said these are like a breakfast “snack.” My daughter plans on taking a few in a baggie with her tomorrow when she goes to classes on her college campus. My son said these would make a great after school snack.
My daughter did mention dipping them in chocolate, but that would clearly defeat the purpose of them being a healthier for you treat. LOL!
I am not the only blogger partaking in this Healthy Baking Challenge. Other bloggers are participating as well. Check out the hashtag #SprinkleofNutrition on social media to see what yummy recipes other bloggers have come up with.
For more information about Carrington Farms products please visit CarringtonFarms.com. You can also check them out on Facebook.
For information about T-fal products visit T-falUSA.com. They can also be found on Facebook.
I have a special prize package for a lucky reader. The giveaway includes:
- Carrington Farms Organic Flax Chia Blend
- Carrington Farms Coconut Cooking Oil
- Carrington Farms Coconut Oil Spray
- T-fal Air Bake Cookie Sheets (3 pack)
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end on March 12, 2016. The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via email and will have three days to reply or a new winner will be chosen in their place.
To enter please comment on this post and tell me what healthy recipe you would bake/make using any or all of the products in the prize package?
For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter widget (below) but you must complete the initial entry requirement or the additional entries won’t qualify.
Kimberly
*I received the above mentioned products to help me create my challenge recipe. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
Maureen says
I would love to make the oatmeal raisin cookies that my family loves. I would love to try the cookie sheet and the cooking spray in coconut oil. Sounds so interesting.
Linda Kish says
I might have to make your recipe. It sounds tasty. I really need new baking sheets. Mine are about 50 years old and they look like it, too. I know I should just buy new ones. But I’d rather win them if I can.
I’d love to try the T-fal cookie sheets and the cooking spray. I have never used coconut oil cooking spray before.
Marti Tabora says
I think I would like to try this recipe, they look and sound really good. I would probably make some with and some without the raisins, since not everybody in my family likes raisins. Thanks.
cyndi br says
I would like to make granola bars with the flax chia seed
Jennifer Rote says
Your recipe looks good. I’d also make some Sneaky Soft Serve Chia Banana Ice Cream.
Catalina says
I would like to try a carrot cookie recipe
Leela says
I would make a pumpkin layer cake first.
Mary W says
I would add these healthy ingredients to my energy bar recipe. The cookie sheets are exactly what I need for even browning when I bake the bars.
Cheryl says
I would make Honey Wheat Bread With Chia And Flax.
http://www.food.com/recipe/honey-wheat-bread-with-chia-and-flax-508938
Dana Rodriguez says
That looks really good! Actually I want to try your recipe!
Annamarie V says
I would make pumpkin raisin flax muffins with chia seeds and use the coconut spray to coat the pan.
Angela says
I would make granola with many of the ingredients.
Margot C says
I make a cookie taht is very similar but with almond flour, it’s very easy to cook with!
Nicole Sender says
I would like to make the recipe on this post and also granola!
MelodyJ says
I would make the Oatmeal Chocolate Cherry Cookies from Cooking Light
Madeline says
I’d make pumpkin pudding and oatmeal with raisins and walnuts.
Lauren says
I would make cranberry chocolate chia cookies.
rochelle haynes says
I would like to try this
Turkey with Three Peppers
Virginia Rowell says
I would love to make the Chicken Thighs Veronique.
Steph says
I will make hemp apple muffins
Seyma Shabbir says
I would love to make banan bread with the chia seeds!
suzanne says
I might make some Garlic Cilantro Fries.
Nancy says
I might use the products in the giveaway to make healthy scones.
D Schmidt says
I would make some raisin bran and flax seed muffins.
LaTanya says
I would make some fruity and nutty granola bars
carol clark says
granola sounds good i think ill make that
Jenny Scheldberg says
I’ve been trying to do low carb meals lately I’d like to make some baked turkey burgers.
Elisabeth says
I would love to make granola bars!
ken ohl says
the oatmeal chocolate cherry cookies would love to try
Vicki Wurgler says
checked out the site and they had a recipe for Banana Flax Chia Seed Pudding that sounds good
Michele L says
I’d use the cookie sheets to make almond biscotti! I haven’t made it in a while and I love it (makes great gifts, too!).
georgie c says
I’d love to try to make some pumpkin raisin cookies, and oatmeal raisin cookies.
Jordan D. says
I’d love to make some banana flax muffins or some granola. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Linda Szymoniak says
I just got a new stove and microwave, and I’m having fun learning how to use them. My daughter and I have been trying to improve the healthiness of what we eat, and in addition to doing meatless Mondays we are adding more recipes with healthy ingredients, like quinoa, kale, legumes, whole wheat pasta, etc. I would pick out a brand new recipe from all the ones I’ve saved to make in these if I win them. One recipe I’m really wanting to try is VEGAN COCONUT CURRY WITH SWEET POTATO NOODLES
janetfaye says
I would make Oatmeal quick bread with raisins.
jodi says
I would make a banana bread with coconut flour
Jessica To says
I would make a healthy banana bread.
Steve Weber says
I would make a delicious homemade granola mix.
Christina Foley says
I would make breakfast cookies! My daughter isn’t a fan of breakfast these days, but she loves when I make breakfast cookies… and they are so super healthy and nutritious,
Laura J says
Oh that looks so good! I think I would have to follow your recipe and try it! I have never baked with a Flax Chia Blend before…so new to it!
Michele P says
your recipe looks so good! But I might try some healthy bars using a few of the products shown above.
Ally says
I think I’d try to make my favorite brownie recipe (with coconut oil, mmm) into a cookie!
DEBIJOT says
I would bake some oatmeal raisin cookies and some type of muffins.
Tina W says
I would love to make some kind of healthier granola bar for my Dad.
Faye Gates says
I would make some sort of granola cereal. I love raisins.
Trisha Burgess says
I would make a granola cookie bake!
Kristie says
I’d like to try the Garlic and Parmesan Flax Chia crackers from their website.
Linda Szymoniak says
I would use the cookie sheets to roast up some cut vegetables to add to pasta for dinner. I’ve never really cared for sweet potatoes, but since the only way anyone seemed to make them was with marshmallows for Thanksgiving, I had no idea I really love them. I would chunk up some fresh sweet potatoes, zucchini, and other veggies and have a feast.
lissa crane says
I would love to make these! My kiddo’s are real cookie monsters and this looks like the perfect healthy alternative to my usual chocolate chip cookies!
Wanda McHenry says
I would bake Oatmeal Raisin cookies because that’s the only healthy thing that I bake.
Erika Chilton says
I would make Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding.
Melissa S says
I would like to make coconut and dried cherry breakfast bars using the coconut oil and the Flax Chia blend.
Kelly D says
I would bake coconut chia granola bars for my kids to bring to school.
Candace says
I would make organic oatmeal-apple cookies!
melina r says
I would make some peanut butter oatmeal cookies and use the flax chai blend in them.
Keri Justice says
These look super tasty! I would love to make some homemade gronola or something like your recipe.
Ty says
I would love to try and make the Multi-grain pancakes.
Melissa says
I love using coconut oil to saute veggies. I would definitely make some more cookies or homemade granola bars for snacks for my kids
Annmarie W. says
I’d love to make some muffins!
laura says
I would make peanut butter protein balls
Dawn Monroe says
I would make granola.
laurie murley says
I would love to make so oatmeal and raisisn cookies with this
Charlene S. says
Perfect for a healthy breakfast loaf.
Sarah L says
I’d try the recipe you have here. Looks very yummy.
Thanks for the contest.
Barbara says
My mom has a great granola recipe that uses those ingredients. I think I’d like to try to adapt it into a cookie if I can.
I have some Air Bakes that are about fifteen years old. They still work okay but are beat to heck. Lol.
Fiona N says
I think this recipe looks so yummy and I love its name “Everything Good” cookies. I would make this recipe soon because I love Chia seeds, too!
Thank You for the chance
Danielle M. says
I’d love to make some energy bites
Donna Pyszk says
I would like to make granola bars