Omg! These cookies!

My kids just got home from school. They were starving so I cut up fresh peaches for them and got a few hard boiled eggs out too. But then I let them try my brand-new chocolate chip cookies! They absolutely positively 100% loved them! 

Now.....rewind back to last night. I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about dates. Haha silly, the edible kind. Not the nice kind with a man. What I kept thinking about in the middle of the night was that dates are so stinkin good, so sweet and I wanted some! It had been a while since I had the chance to sink my teeth into some sweet dates. Then I thought how I'd like a chocolate chip cookie that I could eat and 100% feel good about. I also wanted to create a treat that I could feed my kids that would put only good, clean nutrients in their bodies. You may be wondering why I would wake up in the middle of the night thinking these things. It is rather strange but I do have my reasons. The biggest one is that over the weekend I was totally grossed out in my pantry. I was getting quinoa to make and prepare for the week when something red caught my eye. A sucker (or lollipop if you are from the North) was dropping its disgusting liquid all over my beautiful painted and clean walls. I pulled the nasty red sucker off of the wall (yes, it was stuck there and even still had a wrapper on it!) and called my children in to see the mess. I began talking about junk food, trash food and unnecessary foods. Candy is just that to me. 100% unnecessary. I'd rather my kids have ice cream or one of my cookies any day of the week instead of worthless candy. But please note that I am not one who won't let my kids trick or treat because candy is so nasty (no offense if you are like that though..... Power to ya!) Instead I take the higher route and educate my kids. This is their world. I am only going to be able to hold their hands and lead their way and make their paths for so long. They have to know how to make their own decisions. Secretly and openly I truly rejoice each time my daughter takes a bite or 2 of candy or junk food and puts it down or saves it or gives it to someone else. Kids are born being able to moderate themselves in every way. We as parents just have to enable them to use their instincts as well as what they have been taught about leading a healthy life. 

So..... That was the longest way ever of saying that my daughter looked up at me after my "candy is gross" speech and said, "If this sucker doesn't help us grow or get stronger in any way then why would we want to eat it?" I rejoice my friends and dear readers! That's it! "Great Scott!" as Doc says in Back to the Future. That's it! Think and remember that and that's all we need to know!

Make these clean, tasty cookies and you will feel good before, during and after your experience!!!

"Are You Kidding Me Cookies"

3 ripe avocados 

36 dates (I used Sunsweet brand but Trader Joes Medjool dates are my norm)

2 eggs

1 t pure vanilla extract

1 t baking soda

1 t baking powder 

1/4 t sea salt

1 3/4 C almond meal

1/4 C coconut flour

1 Cup mini chocolate chips (I used Lily's brand dark chocolate because they are sugar free, soy and dairy free. I wanted my niece who is lactose intolerant to be able to have these!)

Directions:

Oven 350*. Oh my gosh....Start by smiling super big! This is amazing! Then mash avocados. I just threw mine in the trusty Ninja. Add all of the pitted dates. Be SURE there are not any pits! Mix well. Add eggs and vanilla. Set aside. In separate bowl mix all dry ingredients. Combine the avocado power mixture with the dry ingredients. Once it's all combined fold in your chocolate or you could add raisins or dried chopped apples too! Bake for about 9-11 minutes or until they are set but soft in the middle. Let them cool a few minutes on the baking sheet to set further. Enjoy and do the happy dance each time your child bites into this crazy good cookie for you are giving her/him nature's candy!

Tell me what you think!!!! As you can tell I'm crazy excited about my new creation!

Mash Avocados:

Add dates and mix again:

Add eggs and vanilla:

Mix dry ingredients:

Add chocolate chips or no sugar added dried fruits:

Eat & enjoy! They won't last long!

Guess what......? None of the ones with chocolate chips lasted long enough for a picture! I'll add more pics when I make these again! 

UPDATE: these cookies are awesome make ahead dough balls! If you know me you know that I always have cookies of any kind balled up and frozen ready to bake in case friends or neighbors come over to hang out! I freeze in individual layers in Pyrex dishes.