Quinoa Chocolate Chip Animal Cookies

Summer picnics.
Summer trips.
Summer Vacations.
Summer destinations.

Whats the common thread? Summer!

Now for those of us who have multiple food allergies, packing food for trips and vacations can be difficult. It doesn't have to be. Here are a few tips for packing lunches this summer!

1. Don't forget the classic sandwich! Sandwiches are easily made and transportable. The biggest thing for allergy sufferers is the bread. My favorite recipe is this one over The Whole Life Nutrition. I love this bread!!! I eat it basically everyday, and it is the only bread in my families house. It is soft and holds together great. Here are some sandwich option to think about:

• Chicken Salad.

With the mayo or Greek yogurt of your choosing this is a delicious, filling sandwich. You can add grapes, apples, celery, or curry powder to make it different or fresh.

• Deli sandwich with your favorite AF deli meats.

I'm a sucker for ham and turkey with Swiss cheese, but different strokes for different folks.

• Hummus.

Hummus makes a great sandwich spread. Plus it's packed with protein.

• Nut Butters

Almond, Sunflower, Cashew, Pumpkin Seed, Peanut, Walnut, Macadamia. Whatever floats your boat!

• Cheese

Not one of those cheese sandwiches served on planes either. Think bigger than that. Jack or fresh mozzarella. Brie or Gouda. Swiss or a nice aged sharp cheddar. Think outside the box people.

• Don't forget the veggies!

That sandwich will be twice as filling, and nutritious if you laden that thing down with fresh spinach, cucumber slices, avocado, bell pepper slices, romaine, watercress, tomatoes. Anything you want.

I think I am going to spread these packed lunch ideas out over a couple of posts. I will however throw you all a bone!

Dessert.

How about some cookies? Tiny, animal shaped cookies, with chocolate chips. That's what I thought.

Quinoa Chocolate Chip Animal Cookies

3/4 C. or 3.5 oz or 100g Quinoa Flour
1 C. or 5 oz or 145g Brown Rice Flour
1 tsp Xanthan Gum
1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
1 C. or 225 Spectrum Shortening
1 Egg
1 C. or 140g Light Brown Sugar
1/2 C. or 70g Chocolate Chips

1. Combine the flours, xanthan, and salt. I whisk these together.

2. Whip till creamy and light the shortening and sugar.

3. Add the egg to the shortening mixture.

4. Combine the flour mix to the shortening mix. Mix in the chocolate chips.

5. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for an hour.

6. Preheat oven to 350 F.

7. Line two baking pans with parchment paper.

8. Roll out the dough on a piece of parchment paper. Cut cookies into shapes. I chose little animal shapes.

9. Bake for 12-15 minutes depending on size, until golden brown.

Sweet Berry Smoothie, Gluten free, soy free, corn free

I am exhausted.

Seriously, butt kicking, sleep on the couch, black circle under your eyes tired.

Why am I so tired you might ask? Well I will tell you.

Last Friday we decided to go clothes shopping. All of the summer sales where going on, so we couldn't resist. Many people underestimate the work that goes into shopping. The walking, searching, standing, sifting, sorting, trying on, climbing stairs, driving here, driving there. 8 hours and two shopping malls later, it's 11 o'clock and I am exhausted! On the upside, I did get a pair of shoes, a skirt, and some workout and regular shorts.

Saturday, I needed to go regular shopping. You know, toilet paper, shampoo, lunch meat, the basics. Then I hit the yarn store, the beauty store, and Trader Joe's. Late, tired, looking forward to the next day.

Sunday, I had a bit of a rest. Just stuff around the house. BBQ'd some steaks.

Monday. I spent half the day cooking while my family worked in the yard. They had to dig up a planter that had been taken over by some sort of ground cover. Things however took a turn for the worst in the afternoon. My dad had sprained his sciatica the day before, so it was up to my sister to dig up the plant alone. After having lunch and seeing her progress, I decided to go out and help her. This plant was like a mutant plant from the past! The root system had grown and piled on top of each other until it was a foot thick! We both could stand on it and not even budge it. We didn't finish digging it out until 9 o'clock.

Tuesday. We went to Disneyland! It was sooo much fun, but we didn't get home until 11:30 pm.

Know you see why I was so tired. Thankfully I think I know something that might help.

Chock full of protein, calcium, vitamins, and phyto nutrients. Strawberries help prevent your body from storing cholesterol and blueberries are full of antioxidants.

Sweet Berry Smoothie

Serves 3

1 C. Blueberries
1 C. Strawberries, cut into 1/4's
1 C. Nonfat Greek Yogurt, I use Fage
2 C. Ice
1 scoop Sun Warrior Protein powder
1/2 C. Rice milk or Coconut milk
Splenda or Stevia to taste

Add everything except ice to a blender. Blend till smooth.
Add ice. Blend again. Enjoy!