I couldn't believe how big of a batch these made when my friend gave me the recipe.  It calls for 12 eggs, 1 lb. butter, etc... I am thinking that the recipe is called Monster cookies because of how big of a batch they make.  I made these today for Father's Day and ended up cutting the recipe into 1/4 of the batch.  And it still makes quite a bit!  I was surprised also that these do not have flour in them.  But, they do have enough peanut butter and sugar to hold anything together!  But they are delicious!!

Here is the 1/4 batch recipe; this makes about 3 dozen:

3 eggs
1 stick butter (softened)
1 C. brown sugar
1 C. white sugar
1 TBS vanilla
1 1/2 C. crunchy peanut butter (I used Adams Natural Peanut Butter)
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 C chocolate chips
1/2 C M&Ms
4 1/2 C. Oats (I used regular oats, not quick cooking.  But think it would still work fine with quick ones)

-In a large bowl beat eggs well.
-Make sure the butter is soft and add it to the eggs.  Beat.
-Add baking soda and blend well.
-Add brown sugar and cream together.
-Add vanilla then white sugar and mix well.
-Add peanut butter and mix well.
-Stir in oats, chocolate chips and M&Ms.

Bake 350 for 10-12 min.  (Mine here in Idaho is closer to 360 for 12 min)

Coconut oil.  It is something that people have been talking about for a while now.  It has some great health benefits such as:  It is a great energy booster, and does not change its chemical form when heated (so it doesn't become harmful to you by becoming a dangerous trans fat), it can be used as a hair conditioner and skin softener. We have been using coconut oil to cook our vegetables and chicken in.  I love the way it makes my green beans taste.  We use the Spectrum brand that is organic.  They have refined and unrefined.  The unrefined has a stronger coconut  flavor, but is obviously better for you since it has not been refined.  However, if you can't stand the coconut flavor, the refined is still a good option for you.  I use it in place of vegetable oil/canola oil or butter in many baking recipes and get great results.  The possibilities are endless as to what you can do with it, but HERE is a great article that talks about the energy benefits of it:

This was another Pinterest find.  I was not a huge fan of them the first time we made them.  They tasted more or less like a peanut butter honey sandwich.  I had a bad aversion to bread when I was prego with my last and since then, have had a hard time eating a PBH sandwich.  My husband and kids loved them though and my hubby said they would be great snacks after a long run for him.  So, we tried again.  And now I can't keep my hands off of them.  BUT, they are HEALTHY!! NO SUGAR! Hooray for a healthy snack and one that I made so I know what the ingredients are!  I used to make granola bars, which I loved, but they took a little bit of work with the toasting, cooking the sauce, etc.  And, they had brown sugar and butter in them, which if you only use a little, is not a huge deal.  But, these are so much EASIER and healthier!  The possibilities are endless with the substitutions of nuts, dried fruit and honey or agave nectar as your sweetener.  Have fun and play around with the amounts to fit your needs.  Here you go! 


Adapted from: Smashed Peas and Carrots

No-Bake Energy Bites 

(makes 18-20 bites) We make a DOUBLE BATCH, put it in a 9x13 glass pan (ungreased), push it down to make sure it is all stuck together, cover with saran wrap and put in the fridge for an hour or so.  Then I cut them into small bars and freeze them all in a ziploc bag.  They don't last very long :)

-To make these into our granola bars, I only do 1/2 C. coconut and add 1/2 C. craisins.  Also add about 1/4C.each sunflower seeds, raw cashews, & pumpkin seeds.  Then we add about another 1/4C. more of peanut butter and a couple drizzles of Agave Nectar (similar to honey, but not as thick; has a little bit of a maple flavor too).  That is a ROUGH estimate.  Just play with the amounts of what you and your family like.  This last batch, we also added 1/4C. softened Organic coconut oil (which is a great natural energy booster!).

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter) (Make sure it is a NATURAL peanut butter; as in, no other ingredients except for peanuts and maybe a little salt.  There's no need for added sugar or anything else.  Adams brand is a really great one to use.)

1/3 cup honey

1 cup coconut flakes

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla

Mix everything above in a medium bowl until thoroughly incorporated.  Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.  Once chilled, roll into balls and enjoy!  Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.