First, a little more about rethinking the job you dread…

I mentioned that laundry was a heavy burden to me as a young mother.  It was daunting to watch it pile up through the week and a high mountain to climb come Monday morning. When I was challenged to change my system and rearrange my thinking about it, I was perplexed. What else could be done?  I had three small children and laundry was inevitable, a necessary pain in my life.

But the magic started happening when I talked this challenge over with my husband. We brainstormed together and found that for awhile, it would work for him to help (to carry the largest part of the laundry burden in fact) on Saturday’s when he was home.  It wasn’t tiring and daunting when it was a team effort.  Later, when the Saturday option wasn’t such a good fit, one of our children was assigned to wash one load of laundry each day and with my help, make sure it was dried, folded and put away.

I found that one load at a time was something I could handle, and that from my son starting the wash to having everything put away was a fairly quick job.  And no more folded (or unfolded) laundry to move off of our bed at night!

Spending time dreading something, whether it be a household job, a time of day, or day of the week is just a waste.  Negative emotions zap our energy and bring our spirits down. We can spend our time better using our creative energy and rethinking the things we have perceived as difficult or undesirable.  And at the very least, we can restructure the way we think about something that needs to be done and find a better spin.

One of our favorite “working” soundtracks when the kids were growing up was from the movie Snow White, and especially the song, “Whistle While You Work.”

“…And while you sweep the room,

imagine that the broom,

is someone that you love and soon you’ll find you’re dancing to the tune!”

Ha ha, what a sweet and catchy lyric.

Isn’t it liberating to know that whatever we find challenging or even daunting can be rethought and your life can be revitalized in the process?

No more dreading Monday!

Second, I’ll offer a few more ideas on things to feed the troops when the proverbial planets align, that is, when they are really hungry and you are prepared with nutrient dense food and then to the cookie recipe!

Kale chips; carrot sticks; pepper slices; fresh carrot, apple juice; celery & peanut butter; whole food muffins; boiled eggs; apples & almond butter or cheese; green smoothies; whole food cookies; roasted cauliflower; frozen peas; frozen grapes; oranges, tangerines, mandarins; homemade granola; unsweetened yogurt with fruit and a little honey; omelette cups; homemade California rolls; raw nuts; high quality jerky; leftover soup; bananas and peanuts; cucumber coins; dip made with sour cream, real salt and dried dill or another fresh herb; homemade hummus with veggies or high quality crackers…and the list goes on!  What other creative and healthy ideas do you have?

Now for the cookies.  These were inspired by Jillayne Clement’s Gluten-Free Baking cookbook. If someone in your family requires a gluten-free diet, I recommend her work, but you certainly don’t have to need a gluten-free diet to enjoy some alternative flours!

Mint & Chocolatey Chip Cookies

3/4 cup coconut sugar

1/4 cup raw honey

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup butter

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 drops high quality mint essential oil

1 cup dark teff flour*

1 1/4 cup oat flour (grind rolled oats into flour)

1 Tbs arrowroot powder

1/4 cup cocoa

1/2 tsp real salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Cream the butter, coconut oil and coconut sugar and honey then blend in eggs, vanilla and mint.  Mix dry ingredients together and incorporate into creamed mixture, then add chocolate chips.  Place on cookie sheet with small scoop and flatten a little with the back of a spoon.  Bake for 10 minutes at 375° .

*These remind me of Girl Scout Thin Mints because of the flavor of course, but also because the teff is loose and grainy and creates a texture similar to that wafer-ish cookie. Add peanuts or pecans if you want to get creative!

Smelling good food cooking when you come home is one of the greatest pleasures in life.  It is grounding and comforting and speaks loudly of your love, sometimes better than words can express.

I hope this helps!

Take good care.

Love,

Jacque