Who doesn't LOVE cookies?... I do, and being on a predominantly 'no refined sugar diet' makes it tough to find good cookies that are fast and yummy with a real crunch to them rather than the usual 'soggy biscuit' effect after 24 hours in the jar...

I decided to try out the magical 'lactation Cookies' to see if milk really did start pouring out of me. Just so you know... it didn't... nor for my hubby ;)

What I did learn is that these little chocolate chip, coconut, oatmeal delights are delicious, not too sweet, super easy to make and full of great stuff if you are breast feeding or not. The secret is brewers yeast - it's PACKED with vitamin B's which is great for new mum's but also normal folk. They are great for metabolism, keeping you going. Good for hair, nails, skin, helps to break down carbs into sugars, the list is pretty long...

The other thing I like about these cookies is they contain oats and flaxmeal, both of which are brilliant for keeping the body in good function, full of fibre and slow release energy.

So, being my, I bastardised a collection of recipies to come up with the perfect cookies. My favourite recipe I found for these that was easy to make was these 'oatmeal chocolate chip lactation cookies'

What I changed was - I HALVED the sugar - so only 1/2 a cup TOTAL. i also used Coconut sugar instead of refined sugar. If I didn't have that then I used maple syrup, rice syrup or honey. I also doubled the flaxmeal and used in as half the flour substitute and then threw in a more generous serving of brewers yeast - it's not everyone's favourite taste, it does have a flavour to it, so up to you if you want more or not. I also replaced the butter with coconut oil and added a little almond milk as the flaxmeal makes it a lot dryer.

In Short:

mix in a bowl: 1/2 cup coconut sugar & 1/2 cup coconut oil (I melt the oil it makes it faster!)

add: 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 egg, 1/2 baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, pinch salt,

Stir in: 1/4 cup almond milk and 1/2 cup flaxmeal & 1/4 cup brewers yeast - mix all together

add: about 3/4 cup of flour, i use wholemeal, or just enough to get a nice dough mixture. Remember you are going to now add: coconut flakes - i just pour them in, it's about 1/2 cup. Same for chocolate chips (I use the bitter sweet 80% dark chocolate ones, they have less sugar and it's just a welcome bite when you eat them)

stir in: 1 1/2 cups of oats. if it's dry just add more almond milk or more oats / flour etc...

Then I sit it in the fridge for 10 minutes to chill out whilst I clean up the mess and put the oven on (about 350 / 180) as i ALWAYS forget to do that! Put a teaspoon of mixture on a tray with baking paper and a bit of oil. then I press them out as flat as i can get them without them falling apart - this is the secret to getting the CRUNCH! Bake till golden - about 15 minutes.

Always have a batch of these in a jar - very good if you are on the run or fancy something sweet without too much 'sweet'