Nothing says it’s the holiday season like getting wild and crazy, throwing out the old routine and eating cookies for breakfast! Yes you read that. I love to see the look on my son’s face when I ask him if he wants cookies for breakfast? His sheer excitement, yet puzzled expression just shouts, “could this really happening?” This holiday season so far has really been about enjoying family time to the fullest and introducing new traditions in our home, like having cookies for brekkie!

Now let’s be realistic, I wouldn’t give my child just any old cookie. This brekkie cookie needs to adhere to my nutritional standards and definitely can’t spike his blood sugar levels first thing in the morning, otherwise I’d be asking for a toddler meltdown. My brekkie cookie is Dr. Mom ND approved: nutritious and an exciting new tradition, but most importantly, it’s toddler approved. Sweet success!

This recipe is gluten free, naturally sweetened and full of fibre. Give it a try and tell me what you think! We know this recipe will be a hit in your household too!

Not just any old cookie: the brekkie cookie

You’ll need:

• 1cup organic gluten free all-purpose flour (my personal faves are Namaste and Bob’s Red Mill)
• 3⁄4 cup GF rolled oats
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 cup applesauce
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons butter or ghee, softened but not melted
• 1egg
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄2 cup chopped pecans

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and grease a cookie sheet.
2. Whisk together the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl using an electric mixer beat the applesauce, maple syrup, butter, egg, and vanilla.
4. While beating the mixture on a low speed add the dry ingredients until well blended.
5. Fold in the nuts with a spatula.
6. Drop onto prepared cookie sheet with a spoon. Bake for 8 – 9 minutes or until they start to brown.

Optional boost: add in a scoop of your favourite protein powder. Mine are; Sun Warrior protein, Progressive Organics Brown Rice and Vegan Protein Powder by Natural Factors. Or pair this cookie with a breakfast smoothie (recipe included in the link below).

It’s very important to have protein at breakfast! Here’s why.

Want to add Jam? Try Nu Roots Nutrition’s Raw Chia Strawberry Jam:

• 1 cup organic strawberries (fresh or frozen and thawed)
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp water (only if needed)
• sweetener of your choice (I use 1 tsp maple syrup)

Blend all together and then let it sit in the fridge for 1 hr. That’s it! Fresh homemade jam.

*raw jam                                                                                               *or try it with apple butter

Are you creating new traditions with your family? I would love to hear what you are doing with your family to make memories this holiday season. Happy holidays!

In great health & happiness,

Dr. Michelle