{…because sometimes a girl just needs a cookie.}

I’ve been eating gluten and dairy free for about one month now.  I’ve been pretty strict about it, too.  I have seen some pretty dramatic changes in how I feel and in my skin…and I couldn’t be more pleased. 

A few things that have helped me eliminate these two very common ingredients from my diet:

1.) So Delicious Original Coconut Milk Coffee Creamer

It’s creamy.  It’s delicious.  I don’t miss my 2% milk.  The only time I really drank milk was in my coffee.  Now I can substitute this and I don’t miss a thing.

2.) LaraBar (Cherry Pie and Peanut Butter + Jelly) and Kind Bars

Thank goodness for these energy packed bars.  I usually don’t have time to eat breakfast in the mornings…I’m usually out the door by 6:30 a.m.  So, these are perfect for “passing period” snacks…along with a banana, in the morning at school.

3.) Lots of fruits and veggies. 

4.) Trader Joes.  Their products are well marked, and they have a variety of items.  So far, I love the beef tamales!

5.) Brown rice.  It’s good with all sorts of veggies and meat…I love it.

6.) And once in a while, because sometimes a girl just needs a cookie…I make these:

Peanut Butter Chocolate Gluten/Dairy Free Cookies

Recipe:

2/3 Cup Chocolate Peanut Butter (I used Peanut Butter and Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams.)
1/3 Cup Peanut Butter
1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
2/3 Cup White Sugar
1/2 Cup Chopped Pecans
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 Egg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix all ingredients together and place in fridge for about 10 minutes to allow batter to stiffen up a bit.

Using a teaspoon place small cookie batter portions on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for about 10-13 minutes. Batter should make about one dozen cookies…but that depends on the size of your cookies.  Larger cookies take about 14 minutes, smaller cookies take 10 minutes to bake.

Cookies will be soft to the touch when coming out of the oven.  Let cool for about 5-10 minutes before transferring them a plate.  Enjoy!

My recipe was altered a bit from Gluten Free Girl and The Chef…but the inspiration for this cookie came from them.

Now, it’s time to watch the SUPER BOWL!  Indianapolis has put on quite a show!