Whip Six Womens Active Running, Triathlon, Cyclist Apparel

I love cookies.

I love everything about them…

Making them. Smelling them as they cook. Eating them fresh out of the oven. Eating them cold with a glass of milk.

I guess you could call me the Bubba of cookies.

And because I love them so much, I love making new varieties that still satisfies my sweet tooth but also offer a few other benefits…

With a big weekend coming up, I am really focusing on keeping my diet clean and full of foods that will help in recovery and to fuel my body in order to handle the strength and endurance challenge that I am in for.

Side note: For those of you that are new, this weekend I am traveling to Philly for RKC training to improve my kettlebell knowledge and skills!

So I decided that this week’s Eat This Instead should meet my criteria!

These are gluten-free to help reduce inflammation and without added sugar.

• Dates were used to offer a natural sweetness while also upping the fiber and improving digestion. Did you know that dates can help with digestive issues such as diarrhea and constipation? With my nerves on edge, taking pro-active steps to keep digestion healthy is mandatory!
• Also with dates, because of their high fiber, iron, and vitamin supply, they are though to be beneficial for muscle development.

To best honest, I eat dates because I LOVE them, the rest are just bonuses.

Then there are the two starches…

• Both great sources for energy (my intense running is having me crave healthy carbs like never before)!
• Both are great sources of Vit C. In fact, plantains contain 31% of the daily requirement of Vit C, with a plane trip just days away, I am all about boosting my immune system!
• Believe it or not, plantains have more potassium than regular bananas! Electrolytes baby! No cramping for me (hopefully).
• Both are high in magnesium for strong bones, healthy muscles and heart health!

Sweet Potato Raisin Cookies

Makes 12 Big Cookies

I tested these on one of my classes and they LOVED them!

I know it’s a #strangebutgood recipe and therefore I wanted their opinions before I shared it with you.

Everyone gave two thumbs up! I actually think these are BETTER (seriously) than traditional oatmeal raisin cookies.

If you love a soft cookie with a little crunch on the outside, then you will love these. Trust me!

Plus with no added sugar, no flour, and tons of healthy add-ins… cookie for the win!

• 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil
• 1 Egg
• 1/2 Cup Dates, Soaked
• 1 Tsp Vanilla
• 4 Tsp Cinnamon
• 3/4 Tsp Nutmeg
• 1 1/4 Cup Sweet Potato, Steamed
• 1/2 Green Plantain
• 1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
• 3 Tbsp Sliced Almonds
• 1/2 – 3/4 Cup Raisins

1. Preheat oven to 350-degrees.
2. Allow dates to soak in warm water for 30 minutes. This simply helps soften them to make it easier to blend.
3. In a blender or food processor add dates, plantain, and steamed sweet potatoes. Blend until smooth. Stop and stir from time to time to help the process.
4. Add additional ingredients EXCEPT raisins. Pulse until well blended.
5. Stir in raisins by hand.
6. Line a baking pan with parchment paper and add 1-2 tablespoon dollops of cookie dough. Separate each cookie by 1-2 inches.
7. Bake 10-12 minutes until golden brown around edges. Allow to cool complete before eating. They will seem very soft, but as they cool will firm up. The inside will remain deliciously soft!

Nutrition Information Per Cookie

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