Nut Butter Chickpea Cookies

INGREDIENTS

1 can of chickpeas
1/3 cup of all natural nut butter (I used chocolate NuttZo) http://gonuttzo.com/products/
1/8 cup of agave nectar (substitute with honey or maple syrup)
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of baking powder
Pinch of cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

1. Drain and rinse canned chickpeas
2. Try to remove the clear outer shield layer of the chickpeas (this will allow for a nice chewy cookie)
3. Place chickpeas and nut butter in a food processor and blend until smooth (Honestly you could eat this as cookie dough at this point and it is absolutely to die for)
4. Add agave, vanilla, cinnamon and baking powder and continue blending
5. Place dough on baking sheet (it will be very sticky so try placing water on hands to roll dough
6. Bake cookies for about 12 minutes on 350 degrees

NOTES

Feel free to add anything to the dough, some ideas may include:

• Chocolate chips
• Cranberries
• Walnuts
• Almonds
• Raisins 
• Blueberries

Hearty Farro Salad

INGREDIENTS

Farro
Broccoli
Kidney Beans
Brussel Sprouts
Carrots
Fat Free Feta Cheese
Lemon
Balsamic Vinegar

DIRECTIONS

1. Farro: bring 2 1/2 cups of water to a boil, add 1 cup of farro, cover and cook for 25 minutes
2. Steamed broccoli: either use a steamer OR place broccoli in boiling water for 5 minutes then drain
3. Steamed carrots: either use a steamer OR place carrots in boiling water for 5 minutes then drain
4. Kidney beans: soak kidney beans overnight, cover and cook beans in water for 45-50 minutes
5. Combine all of the ingredients and top with lemon juice and balsamic vinegar

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS

Farro: An ancient grain new to american cuisine. It has about 12 g of protein in 1 cup serving (more than barley, brown rice and quinoa). It has about 10 g of fiber in 1 cup serving (more than other grains), it has 120 mg of magnesium (magnesium assists muscle boosting, lowering blood sugar and nerve health).

Brussel Sprouts: Help lower cholesterol. Good source of Iron, Magnesium, Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin K and Vitamin B6.

Feta Cheese: Good source of protein, Vitamin B12 and calcium.

Kidney Beans: Lower blood sugar levels after a meal. Great source of dietary fiber and folate.

Carrots: Great for improved complexion with carotenoids.

Broccoli: Assists the body with detoxification and is an anti-inflammatory. Good source of protein, iron, fiber.



Citation: http://nutritionista.self.com