My Pre-Run Energy “Cookie” and Running in the Rain
I want to share my recipe for a pre-run “cookie” that I like to make. When I go on a run in the morning I need to eat something that will give me energy but not bog me down with a full stomach. I’ve always had a sensitive tummy in the mornings, but I can’t run on an empty stomach. I’ve come up with a recipe for a pre-run cookie that solves my problem. One or two of these with water gives me sustained energy and doesn’t upset my stomach. They are filled with good for you ingredients and are easy to make. They are also gluten, soy and dairy-free. It’s like eating a store bought protein bar without the added ingredients you don’t want. I firmly believe that the foods we eat should be as close to their natural state as possible and not be filled with preservatives or artificial ingredients.
JUST ANOTHER RUN IN THE RAIN
It was stormy weekend in Portland with lots of rain and wind in the forecast. Saturday was one of those weekend mornings when my husband and I look at each other and say, “Are we running today?” Of course we are! We can’t let the weather get in our way. If we did, this time of year, our runs would be few and far between. However, when you are warm and dry inside, and it’s looking rather nasty outside it takes extra will power to commit.
The next question is, “Where do you want to run?” As you may know, I love to run on trails, and we have some amazing forest trails in and around Portland. However, with a high wind warning it probably isn’t smart to run on a muddy trail in a forest. We decided to go into town and run a loop on the bike path along the Willamette River.
In my last post I said that I’ve never finished a run and wished I hadn’t gone. This one was no different. It really wasn’t that bad, and we weren’t the only ones out in the rain. Rob tells me that Sunday is a six mile run day. Sigh. Just another morning to get motivated and go outside, and I bet I will be so happy that I did. Thankfully I have my Pre-run energy cookies already made.
PRE-RUN ENERGY COOKIE
I start with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Steel Cut Oats. Bring 1 cup of oats to boil with 3 cups of water. These are just three of the health benefits of oats.
- Provide Filling Fiber
- Help Improve Digestion
- Increase Immunity
Boil for 20-30 minutes until most of the water is absorbed. Stir every five minutes to keep it from sticking the the bottom of the pot. This looks good.
Remove from heat and transfer to another bowl. Add in 1/4 cup each of ground flax seed meal, chia seeds and hemp seeds, two teaspoons of salt, two tablespoons unrefined extra virgin coconut oil, plus one tablespoons Ceylon cinnamon. The lists of health benefits for Hemp Seed, Flaxseed Meal, and Chia Seeds include some of the following.
- helps fight cancer
- weight loss
- digestive health
- healthy skin and hair.
You can use any of the links above to find out more from Dr. Axe on the health benefits of the ingredients in my recipe.
Stir it all up real good and then let it sit and cool for a while. While waiting whisk four eggs in a separate bowl. When the oatmeal mixture has cooled enough, about 20 minutes, so that it won’t cook the eggs or melt the chocolate stir the eggs into it. Then add a 1/4 – 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and 8oz of dried cherries. I like the tart cherries from Trader Joes. When I’m buying dried fruit I always make sure it is free of sulfur dioxide and added sulfites. They upset my stomach, so I avoid them. I use these chocolate chips from Enjoy Life because they are soy free. I’m also soy intolerant, so I read a lot of labels. These can easily be made without the chocolate chips if you prefer.
When everything is mixed up real good use the quarter cup as a scoop and drop scoops of the oatmeal mixture onto a lined baking sheet.
Now pop the tray into a 350 degree oven for fifteen minutes. The recipe will make about 16 of these yummy, energy packed, pre-run cookies. I usually warm up two of these and eat them with a glass of water before a morning run.
Disclosure
This is my first attempt at food photography and posting a recipe. Please bear with me as I practice and learn all the ins and outs. This post contains affiliate links to products that I like and use. If you choose to click on product link it will not change the price, but I will receive a small commission from what you purchase.
Rob says I need a catchy name for these energy cookies. What would you name them? Do you have a go to pre-workout snack that gives you energy and doesn’t bog you down? Please leave a comment below, and remember to share this on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Thank you!
Thérèse Buckingham for Vitality in Focus
Yields 16 cookies
Save RecipeIngredients
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 3 cups of water
- 2 TBS coconut oil, unrefined and extra virgin
- 2 tsps Ceylon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup flaxseed meal
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1/4 cup hemp seeds
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 eggs, whisked
- 6-8oz dried tart cherries
- 1/4-1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Bring oats and water to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. let it cook, stirring every 5 minutes or so, for 20 minutes until most of the water is absorbed.
- Transfer to a bowl to start cooling and add the coconut oil, cinnamon, flaxseed meal, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and salt. Stir them all together and let sit for 20 minutes to cool.
- Lightly beat the eggs and stir them into the cooled oatmeal mixture
- Stir in the cherries and chocolate chips
- Scoop in 1/4 cup portions onto a lined baking sheet. Flatten them out just a little to an even thickness.
- Bake for 15 minutes
- Cool on a wire rack.
- Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator or freezer. I like to warm mine up just a little before eating.
Notes
I am not a nutritionist. The recipes and experiences I share on my blog are based on what works for me, my own experiences with food, and what I have learned from reading about health and nutrition. If you are in need of specific nutritional advice please consult with a health professional.
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