Snack: Hearty Oat Cookies

Recipe by Woman's Day Kitchen These not-too-sweet cookies are chock full of nuts, grains, and dried fruit.

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Cranberries, Honey, Nuts, Walnuts

Health and fertility benefits of Hearty Oat Cookies

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060). Researchers believe that cranberries contain substances that prevent infection-causing bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls. However, store-bought cranberry juice is typically all sugar - so make sure to stick with straight cranberries. One tbsp of honey has a glycemic index (GI) of 55. Nuts are a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS). Inositol can effectively control the symptoms of PCOS by reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity. Walnuts are low on the glycemic index. What’s more, they also lower the glycemic index of other foods that you eat in conjunction with these nuts. Any kind of nuts provide a healthy source of fat and a great way to encourage PCOS weight loss.

Ingredients

1/2 c. whole-wheat flour
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 pinch kosher salt
1 c. quick-cooking oats
1 c. unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 c. walnuts
1/4 c. golden raisins
1/4 c. dried cranberries
1/4 c. pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
1/2 c. unsalted butter
3 tbsp. honey
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3 tbsp. boiling water

Instructions

Heat oven to 350 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the oats and coconut and toss to combine. Fold in the walnuts, raisins, cranberries, and pepitas.
In a small saucepan, melt the butter and honey. In a small bowl, combine the baking soda and boiling water, then add to the butter mixture (it will become frothy).
Make a well in the center of the oat mixture, pour in the butter mixture and mix to combine.
Using wet hands, form the mixture into 15 balls (about 1/4 cup each) and place on the prepared sheets, spacing them 1 1/2 inches apart. Gently press each ball down so it is 1/2 inch thick and bake until golden brown, 16 to 17 minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheets.

Add a review for Hearty Oat Cookies