Energy Cookies
One of the things that I have found the most difficult when managing being a new mom and trying to maintain my high level training is the refueling process immediately after training. More often than not the minute I am done with training and have showered I immediately switch gears from athlete to mom and that means all my attention goes towards Skylar. While this is my favorite thing in the world what it has meant is that often I don’t get the calories and macro nutrients needed immediately after training in order to properly replenish my body from the training I just under went.
When it comes to training, especially endurance training, your window for refueling is very important especially when you usually have to get up the next day and do it all over again. Within 30 minutes of finishing your workout you need to be getting around 20-30 grams (research is showing that women even need 30 minimum grams) of protein. Then here is the key piece within 90 minutes of that window you need to be eating a balanced meal of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. But for those of us that are really busy; whether that be a mom, dad, busting off to work, or just living life on a regular basis often it is really hard to grab foods that can fulfill this.
Just the other day I finished a two hour ride with a 20 minute run off the bike and realized that I didn’t eat for almost three hours afterwards and by then I felt like crap because of it. I realized that while my schedule now a days doesn’t really allow me to have the time to either make a good solid meal pre or post workout I needed nutrient dense snacks to help fuel my body for the work I am asking to do. To find these I actually looked up lactation cookies, why? Because a breastfeeding mom burns way more calories than you can even imagine (talk about hungry) and often to keep up our supply we have to increase our calories and need to do so in a healthy fashion with foods that are nutrient dense.
I came across these really delicious lactation cookies and what I am re-naming Energy Cookies (because well I’m not breastfeeding and I believe they are a good source or nutrients and fuel for anyone!) I found this recipe on Instagram at @balancewithb and made a few changes so the recipe you are about to see below is from @balancewithb with my own little twist on it.
RECIPE
Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup almond flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup ground flax
1/4 cup ground chia seeds
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 tsp coconut oil
3 tsp agave syrup
2 eggs
1/2 cup dark chocolate bites (or chocolate chips)
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
Dash of cinnamon, tumeric, and pumpkin spice (you can also add in nutmeg or all spice)
Directions
- Combine the peanut butter, coconut oil, and agave syrup and heat in microwave to easily combine.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, mix lightly.
- Add in the eggs one at a time into the dry mixture. Once incorporated add in the wet ingredients along with the vanilla and combine until combined.
- bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes. The outside should be slightly golden brown.
You can also add in a few other items such as dates, rasins, or orange zest to give more flavor. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!!! PS. Breastfeeding moms…. these are great for you!!!!