Do you have something you like to do when your feeling a little stressed out?

I totally do.

For me it’s either lifting some heavy weights or getting into the kitchen to bake!

I don’t know how or why but lifting weights or baking always makes me feel a little better. Maybe it’s the endorphins released through exercise (← I’d say yes) and possibly the tasty little treat/reward I get to eat (I ♥ food)  once I’m done baking. Whatever it is, totally works for me and I’m sticking with it.

Yesterday . . . was one of “those” days.

I may or may not have single handedly (← I totally did) busted our microwave, crushed my big toe (FYI – dropping a baking tray onto your big toe, not a good idea #justsayin) and I also manage to smash my favourite little ramekin. The last in a matching pair of a style/brand that has been discontinued. waaahhhh

Oh and then this happened.

Yep Mama needed to break out the big guns. And because I had just done a heavy weight session the day before, lifting again was out of the question so . . . I headed into the kitchen.

After the morning I had, had it was time to break out the chocolate.

I have to give a huge shout out to the incredible team over at Move Nourish Believe for sharing the original version of this ah-mazing recipe. I mean who doesn’t love a clean eating chocolate cookie that is not only insanely delicious but also happens to be flourless, vegan, gluten free, paleo friendly and packed with nutritional value?!

A chocolate cookie you can actually feel good about eating?!

Um yes please!

So today for our test it out tuesday recipe we are making ourselves a batch of dark and dreamy, Strawberry, Choc Chip, Chia Cookies.

These cookies are decadent and rich without being overly sweet. The day they are baked they have this delicious little crispy outer shell but the day after, they lose some of that outer crispness and become more fudgey than crispy. Let me tell you these cookies are seriously indulgent, decadently rich and absolutely divine!

When you bite into these  Strawberry, Choc Chip, Chia Cookies you get a hint of nuttiness from the almond flour but mostly what you get is a rich, dark chocolate cookie that simply melts away in your mouth.

You also get a hint of sweetness from those tart and crisp little freeze dried strawberries (you could sub for your fave dried fruit – cranberries, cherries or blueberries would work here too) as well as a nice little crunch from those magic little chia seeds, the perfect contrast in texture.

What else can I tell you about these delicious little Strawberry, Choc Chip, Chia Cookies . . .

– They are all natural, made with no refined flours or sugars.

– They are high in antioxidants thanks to the dark chocolate chips as well as the extra dark cocoa powder not to mention those tart, sweet little freeze dried strawberries.

– These cookies are also high in protein thanks to the almond flour as well as those magical little chia seeds which also give you a shot of those all important omega 3’s (they have also been know to help improve your mood which I clearly needed)

– Last but not least we have our coconut oil which will give you a daily dose of essential, energy giving healthy fats.

Seriously these cookies are a nutritional powerhouse.

These Strawberry, Choc Chip, Chia Cookies are perfect for anytime of day. 

– Perfect with a cup of coffee or green tea as your mid morning snack.

– Perfect for your pre workout power up or post workout refuel.

– Perfect for getting you through the post lunch/pre dinner 330itis without the guilt or post sugar crash.

– Perfect for a little late night, after dinner  indulgence.

And they are also little lady approved.

Love, love, love!

Grab yourself a big ol’ glass of milk and go make these cookies already.

Make them, eat them, love them

Strawberry, Choc Chip Chia Cookies
This recipe  originally shared by Move Nourish Believe – Very slightly adapted and re-written in my own words
Makes approx 16 dark, delicious, and seriously nutritious, vegan, paleo friendly clean eating strawberry packed chocolate cookies

Ingredients – 

1 cup Almond meal

4 Tablespoons of cocoa powder (I use Hershey’s Special Dark)

1 Tablespoon of Chia seeds

1/2 teaspoon of instant coffee granules (I used decaf)

2 Tablespoons of Maple syrup

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1 Tablespoon of coconut oil, melted and cooled

1/4 teaspoon of bi-carb soda

2 Tablespoons of boiling water

2 Tablespoons of dark chocolate chips, finely chopped

2 Tablespoons of freeze dried strawberries, chopped

Method – 

1 – Preheat oven to 160’C (320’F)

2 – Line a baking tray with baking/parchment paper (or use you’re trusty old silpat) and set aside.

3 – Place almond meal, cocoa powder and chia seeds into a medium size bowl and stir to combine.

4 – In a small bowl combine bi-carb soda and boiling water, stir until it gets all fizzy and foamy and quickly add to your almond/cocoa/chia mix and stir until combined.

5 – Add maple syrup and coconut oil and stir until combined.

6 – Lastly add in 3/4 of your choc chips and 3/4 of your freeze dried strawberries and stir to combine.

7 – Roll your cookies into little balls then gently press into your desired shape (I used approx 1 heaping Tablespoon for each cookie) – FYI – the cookies don’t really rise/spread much at all so shape make sure you shape them into the size you want to eat them at 🙂

8 – Top cookies with remaining choc chips and freeze dried strawberries and bake for 7-10 mins until the cookies have formed a slight crust and are firm to the touch. The will firm up a little more as they cool.

9 – Grab yourself a big ol’ glass of ice cold milk and get your cookie on

 

Enjoy xoxo

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Question of the day –

Tell me, what helps get you through when you’re having one of “those” days?