Now, there are all different types of easy recipes, but my favorite kinds are dessert recipes. Because let’s be honest, if there’s no dessert after dinner (or at any time of the day, actually), well that’s a major problem as far as I’m concerned. So since these cookies are both those things, obviously I had to share the recipe.

They came about when I very randomly decided to experiment with a recipe posted by Instagram user Healthy Hayls. She made them using only oats and mashed banana as the base, but I added a few extra ingredients to make them a tiny bit more cookie like. Check out the recipe below, try it for yourself, and leave a comment to let me know what you think!

(P.S. They’re vegan and gluten free, too!)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup almond meal
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 T cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 banana, mashed
• 1 T creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions

• In a medium-sized bowl, mix the dry ingredients together.
• Add the mashed banana to the dry ingredients and then the peanut butter and chocolate chips.
• Stir everything together until all the ingredients are blended and you reach a thick batter-like consistency.
• Scoop spoonfuls of the dough onto an oiled cookie sheet (I made about 12 cookies) and bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.
• Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Sarah was the winner of my Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Giveaway. Everybody say, “Happy coconut oil cooking, Sarah!”

So, the reason I can’t stop yapping about coconut oil is because including it in your diet comes with a lot of great benefits (besides making food taste really good). And if you decide to start cooking with it more often, you might as well get the 411 on all of the amazing things it can do for you and your body.

Coconut oil is not only a super-healthy alternative to other oils that are commonly used for cooking and baking, but it can also be used as a moisturizer for skin, a shine treatment for hair, and the list goes on and on.

I love that there are a lot of really cool things that coconut oil can be used for, but since we all know I like talking about food the most, I’m going to share my top 10 reasons why coconut oil should be added to your diet. Especially for runners, athletes, people with weight loss goals, and well actually… Just everyone in general!

1. Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger: Coconut oil is known for improving thyroid function, which in turn boosts metabolism and increases energy and endurance levels. (What up my fellow runners?! How about some coconut oil before that long-distance run?)

2. Belly Fat Blaster: A study from 2009 revealed that a group of women who regularly consumed 30 milliliters of coconut oil for 12 weeks were not only more easily able to maintain their weight, but also more efficient at burning abdominal fat, which we all know is the most stubborn kind.

3. Fountain of Youth: Coconut oil stops the process of oxidation. This is good because oxidation breaks down the healthy fats and tissues in the body, which encourages the process of aging.

4. Immune System Insurance: Remember before when I mentioned that coconut oil fights oxidation? Well, rigorous exercise triggers oxidation. And since oxidation breaks down healthy fats and tissues, our bodies ability to fight off illness is weakened when we exercise. Coconut oil is a great immunity booster, especially for athletes who are more prone to a weakened immune system as a result of intense training.

5. Oh-so-Satiating: The healthy fats in coconut oil keep its consumers feeling fuller for longer, which prevents overeating. One study showed that adding medium chain triglycerides, like coconut oil, to the participants diet caused them to spontaneously reduce their daily caloric intake by 256 calories. (AKA: Lose weight the natural way!)

6. Medium-chain Triglycer-whats?: Coconut oil is made up of medium chain triglycerides (or medium chain fatty acids). It’s a kind of fat that’s made up of 6-10 carbon molecules and is therefore used by the body as energy immediately (just like carbohydrates), unlike oils that are made of long chain fatty acids, which are more likely to be stored as fat.

7. Take care of your tummy: Coconut oil has been shown to ease digestion. It can be especially helpful for Runners and athletes who experience stomach upset as a result of training. (Don’t pretend like you’ve never experienced THAT before, runners.)

8. Heart Healthy: A few studies have shown that coconut oil may increase HDL (good) cholesterol and decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol.

9. Best Friend to Blood Sugar: Regular intake of coconut oil can improve the body’s use of insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar levels. This is important because it increases your body’s ability to more effectively at break down and use sugar as energy.

10. Tastier Treats: Like I said before, it’s so fragrant and flavorful that it turns any food you add it to into The Most Exquisite Item You’ve Ever Eaten. There are no “official studies” to prove this, but I’ve done plenty of experimenting in my own kitchen and have a few exhibits to back my standings. See: “4 Easy Coconut Oil Recipes”.

OMG, cliche! I know. But I had to. I just had to go there.

Plus, why is that not the saying? Avocados are so much cooler than lemons and I’d rather have guacamole over lemonade any day.

Having this homemade guacamole on hand during a busy week to easily throw atop your lunch or add as a side to your dinner is so convenient it’s ridiculous.

And much better than having a pitcher of lemonade in your fridge. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good glass of fresh, homemade lemonade. But you can’t dip chips in it or use it to top your veggie pita pocket, soooo… Gucamole takes the cake in my book.

Life, stop handing out lemons and start handing over some avocados.

Now, please.

Note: This will yield about four, 2 tablespoon sized servings. To make more at once, just double the ingredients!

What You’ll Need

• 1/2 avocado, peeled and mashed (the more ripe, the better)
• 1/4 large tomato, diced
• 2 small cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup diced red onion pieces
• 1/2 lime
• 2 T corn kernels (fresh from the cob or from a can)
• 2 generous T plain Greek yogurt
• dash of cumin
• dash of salt
• dash of pepper

What to do

1. Cut up the avocado and mash it well until it forms a pasty mixture
2. Add the Greek yogurt to the avocado mixture and stir until well combined.
3. Toss in the remaining ingredients and mix until everything is well blended.