Today I’m back sharing more of what makes you happy…recipes. This week’s additions from my kitchen are my recipes for “Not Your Mama’s Meatloaf” and my “Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies”. They are both SO good and have something in common. Both are incredibly delicious (obviously). Both are super healthy (without tasting it, if you know what I mean) and both include dry rolled oats. That’s right….oats! Ever since my kids were little I would try to sprinkle in some hidden healthy ingredients in places where they could never tell to sort of up their nutrition game. In general, they have always been pretty good eaters but if I could make a traditional meatloaf even more healthy without them even knowing it, why not, right? So why oats? What makes oats so healthy and how does the addition of them to traditional recipes make them so much better for you?
Oats are among the healthiest grains on Earth and in general are one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat.
- They are a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.
- Oats contain more protein and healthy fat than most grains.
- They contain many powerful antioxidants, including avenanthramides. These compounds may help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Oats are high in the soluble fiber beta-glucan which has SO many health benefits. It helps reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels (improving insulin sensitivity), promotes healthy gut bacteria, and increases the feeling of fullness.
- Oats may lower the risk of heart disease by reducing both total and LDL cholesterol and protecting LDL cholesterol from oxidation.
- In elderly individuals, studies indicate that oat bran can help reduce constipation and significantly reduce the need for laxatives.
I tell my clients all the time that including oats in their recipes is a great way to amp up their weight loss too. Oats add gluten-free soluble fiber to any recipe which makes you feel fuller, longer without adding too many unnecessary calories. An added bonus is that adding oats to the meatloaf helps to add so much moisture to the mixture, too. I even add oats to my turkey burgers and it makes them the juiciest burgers ever! So, the next time you are thinking about making your traditional meatloaf with green beans and mashed potatoes (just like your Mama did), I encourage you to make “Not Your Mamas Meatloaf”, a much lighter recipe of mine.
To end things on a sweet note, make sure you save room for dessert!! My Oatmeal Chocolate Cookies are amongst the most requested things I make in my house. Jonathan and Ellis can’t get enough. They are decadent, just like traditional chocolate chip cookies, but with every bite, thanks to the oats, you can enjoy more, and feel guilty less.
This week I hope you get “oatified!” Let me know what you think (and if your kids notice)! Tag me in your stories and leave me comments on my Instagram page. I love hearing from you!! Stay well. Xx Janine
Not Your Mama’s Meatloaf
Ingredients:
1 Lb ground breast of chicken
1 Medium onion – chopped
2 Tablespoons coconut aminos
1 Tablespoon Olive oil
1/2 cup dry rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 Organic or free range egg
1 Tablespoon Marmalade
2 Tablespoons tomato puree
2 Tablespoons Ketchup (I use no salt but use whatever you have)
Pepper to taste
Instructions:
1: Fry onion in olive oil until golden brown – set aside to cool down
2: In a large mixing bowl combine ground chicken breast, coconut aminos, dry rolled oats, garlic powder, egg, marmalade, tomato paste and Ketchup – mix well.
3: Add the cooled fried onions. Mix well.
4: Place chicken mixture in a loaf tin – 9”x 5” lined with parchment paper or well-greased with olive oil. Bake for 45-50 minutes at 350 degrees. Cover with foil.
5: Take out of the oven – combine 1 Tablespoon ketchup and 1 Tablespoon honey and spread evenly over the top of the loaf.
6: Bake for 10 more minutes uncovered.
Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Recipe makes 25 cookies
Ingredients:
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter – soften to room temperature
1/2 cup light brown sugar or coconut sugar
1 organic or free range egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup spelt flour
1 cup dry rolled oats
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions:
1: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
2: In a large bowl mix together the butter, brown sugar, egg and vanilla extract with an electric hand mixer until the mixture is smooth.
3: In a separate large bowl, combine the spelt flour, dry rolled oats, baking powder and cinnamon. Mix well.
4: Combine the wet ingredients with the dry – mix well. Stir in the chocolate chips.
5: Drop rounded heaping teaspoons of dough onto the lined baking sheets spacing them 1 1/2 inches apart. Flatten each cookie slightly with the tip of a spoon.
6: Bake for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned.
7: Cool on racks for at least a few minutes.
Enjoy!!
