Fake Ginger

coconut

Kitchen Sink Oatmeal Cookies

Kitchen Sink Oatmeal Cookies – oatmeal cookies filled with everything but the kitchen sink! Chocolate chunks, white chocolate chips, cinnamon chips, walnuts, raisins, and coconut!

When we moved I realized I had a lot of mostly empty bags of chocolate chips.

A lot.

Same goes for pecans, shredded coconut, almond meal, bottles of vanilla, all the stuff I always think I’m out of when I’m out the store and apparently am never actually out of it.

Plus, 15 packages of almond bark even though I only use almond bark once a year for crockpot candy…? I don’t know, guys.

I guess everyone I know is getting crockpot candy for Christmas next year.

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Paleo Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies

 

Paleo Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies will be your new favorites, for all time. Paleo or not, these babies are gorgeous!

Paleo Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies - the BEST paleo cookies! Even the non-paleo people in your life will love these!

Meet my new favorite cookie.

I’m having this thing with coconut this summer. It started with this peanut coconut sauce that I was making daily and putting on everything and now I’ve moved onto cookies.

I mean, can you blame me? Coconut and chocolate is such a perfect combination.

Naturally, I’m obsessed with these Paleo Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies.

I have been making a batch almost every week and then I’ll make some paleo ice cream and I’ll count down the minutes until the kids go to bed so I can sandwich the ice cream between these cookies and enjoy them in total silence.

That’s totally normal, right?

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Strawberry Coconut Granola

Strawberry Coconut Granola – easy homemade granola recipe! Oats, coconut, sliced almonds, and strawberries!

Strawberry Coconut Granola - easy homemade granola recipe! Oats, coconut, sliced almonds, and strawberries!

Heeeey guys!

Are you watching Big Brother?

I am buuuuut I’m just not into it like I normally am.

I mean, does the boyfriend come home after work and find me watching the live feeds at 1 am?

Of course he does.

But I’m just not invested in anyone yet. And it’s so disappointing because I look forward to it all year. Ugh, hopefully it will get better.

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Ambrosia Macaroons

Ambrosia Macaroons are a delicious twist on the classic coconut macaroons. Made with coconut, dried pineapple, orange zest, lime juice, and a cherry on top!

Ambrosia Macaroons - delicious coconut cookies filled with orange zest, lime juice, and dried pineapple. And topped with a cherry!

COOKIES!

I’m so into making cookies right now.

I have 3 different cookies on my counter right now.

I’m refusing to try any of them because I know if I have one, I’ll have to have them all.

No self control.

None. Zero.

But these! I made these weeks ago and ate way more than I’m going to admit to you today. I cannot resist a coconut macaroon!

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Samoas Bars

Samoa Bars recipe - just like your favorite Girl Scouts cookies! And so easy!

Originally published on February 19, 2011. 

It’s that time of year. You know what time I’m talking about.

Girl Scouts have positioned themselves outside every grocery store, drug store, ballpark, everywhere you could possibly need to go. I try, I really do – I try to walk past them without making eye contact. It never works. This year was no different. I ended up with a box of Samoas (what’s the new name? Caramel something-or-another?) that my children demolished within seconds.

These bars, which are meant to be like my beloved Samoas, have been on my must make list for years now and I am so sad that I’ve waited this long to make them! They are so easy, so quick, and taste exactly like the Samoas. Please don’t be scared of the 3 steps. I’m telling you, there’s nothing difficult about this recipe.

If you wanted to take these one step further, you could dip the bottoms of the bars in melted chocolate. I’m not a chocolate fan so I skipped that part but if you wanted to, just melt a bag of chocolate chips instead of the 1/2 cup that this recipe calls for. Once it’s melted, dip the bars one at a time and then place on parchment (or wax paper) to harden.

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Loaded Cookie Bars

 

I recently had a really fun opportunity to participate in a baking Blog Hop. So I baked something, sent it off to Becky of Somewhat Simple, and received the yummiest Double Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies from Jenny of Picky Palate.

This Blog Hop featured the new Pillsbury Purely Simple baking mixes. They contain simple ingredients, no colors, no preservatives, and no artificial ingredients. Have you tried them yet?

Loaded Cookie Bars - this easy recipe starts with a boxed cookie mix and are stuffed with chocolate, peanut butter, candy, and coconut!

I used the Pillsbury Purely Simple for these Loaded Cookie Bars and it was fabulous. The mix only requires a stick of butter and an egg if you want to make sugar cookies. I, of course, added more than that! This bars have white chocolate chips, semisweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, coconut, and milk chocolate candies!

I would’ve added more but I ran out of things in my baking cabinet!

Loaded Cookie Bars - this easy recipe starts with a boxed cookie mix and are stuffed with chocolate, peanut butter, candy, and coconut!

I love these kinds of bars! Something fun and different in every bite! Plus the chewy cookie itself!

And since I started with the Pillsbury Purely Simple baking mix, these took no time to whip up! The hardest part was waiting for the butter to soften!

Loaded Cookie Bars - this easy recipe starts with a boxed cookie mix and are stuffed with chocolate, peanut butter, candy, and coconut!

More Bar Cookies 

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Loaded Cookie Bars

Loaded Cookie Bars

Yield: 9 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 17.5 ounce package Pillsbury Purely Simple Sugar Cookie Mix
  • 1/2 cup 1 stick butter, softened
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut
  • 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter chips
  • 1/4 cup milk chocolate candies

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, beat together cookie mix, butter, and egg until combined. Stir in coconut, all the chips, and candies. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan.
  3. Bake 22 - 24 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. Cool completely before cutting.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 222Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 127mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 1gSugar: 12gProtein: 3g

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© Amanda Livesay

 

 

This post sponsored by Pillsbury. All opinions are my own.

Loaded Cookie Bars - this easy recipe starts with a boxed cookie mix and are stuffed with chocolate, peanut butter, candy, and coconut!

Paleo Strawberry Crumble

Well guys, it’s time to start another week. Hopefully you at least got to sleep a little late today. And I hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day.

We spent our Valentine’s morning at the park. The husband took the kids to the playground and I took the dogs to the dog park, like we usually do. And then we spent a couple hours texting each other photos of the kids and the dogs and others people’s dogs. #crazydoglady

I always forget how awkward the dog park is. Like, I’m bad at small talk to begin with but small talk while also picking up poop and politely looking away when someone’s dog tries to get frisky? 

The worst.

We went to our fave Mexican place for dinner and then I forced my husband to go to REI to get new running shoes because he’s been complaining about his since before this last deployment. A full year. Of hating his running shoes. And telling me about it. 

So he got new shoes and then we got Dairy Queen because I haaaad to try the Red Velvet Blizzard before it went away. 

It was pretty perfect. 

After all the Mexican food and the mojitos and the ice cream and the entire box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates, I need a small detox. But I cannot detox without at least a few treats in there and this Paleo Strawberry Crumble is amazing for situations like that.

There’s nothing bad in it and it’s absolutely scrumptious. I can’t get enough coconut flour so I used that in the topping and then some shredded coconut. The top gets all crunchy and the strawberries get juicy and delicious. 

Also, why are the strawberries so good so early in the year? We can’t get enough!

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Paleo Strawberry Crumble

Paleo Strawberry Crumble

Yield: about 9 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 cups strawberries, halved
  • 2 tablespoons arrowroot starch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

For the topping:

  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Spray an 8x8-inch pan with coconut oil.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, toss together strawberries, arrowroot starch, vanilla, lemon juice, and maple syrup. Pour into prepared pan.
  3. In a separate bowl, stir together coconut flour, salt, coconut oil, and maple syrup until it sticks together. Stir in shredded coconut. Sprinkle the topping over the strawberries, making sure to cover most of the strawberries.
  4. Bake for about 20 - 25 minutes or until the topping is browned and the strawberries are bubbly.
  5. Let stand about 5 minutes before serving.

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As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 140Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 66mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 3gSugar: 10gProtein: 2g

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© Amanda Livesay

Paleo Chocolate Chip Blondies

I’m sorry, guys. I had no intention of posting another Paleo recipe this week but the cheesy, white floury bread I made yesterday totally failed. I think I must’ve burned the yeast or something because it just refused to rise. At all. 

Gahhh.

So you get these Paleo Chocolate Chip Blondies! And I really don’t even feel that bad because they’re awesome. My husband had 7 of them last night. Yeah, that’s pretty much the entire pan.

And btw, how unfair is it that men can eat 7 blondies on top of meals and other snacks and not gain weight? 

Anyyyway, we’re all sorts of iced/snowed in right now which is fun because I can stay in sweatpants all day and only go outside when the (idiot) husky opens the gate, lets herself out of the yard, and then makes me chase her around the neighborhood before finally making the circle and ending up back at our porch. But it’s not so fun because the kids and the husband are all driving me crazy.

If I have to hear, “HE WON’T GIVE ME A TURN!” one more time…

I don’t even know what I’ll do. But it won’t be pretty.

I’m going to have the blondie I hid from my husband for breakfast and then lock myself in my room and binge watch all the Madam Secretary episodes on the DVR. 

You should make these even if you aren’t Paleo. They are really delicious and so full of coconut and chocolate chips – you will hardly even notice that the actual blondie part is made from almond flour instead of regular flour! I promise.

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Paleo Chocolate Chip Blondies

Paleo Chocolate Chip Blondies

Yield: about 9 servings

from Ditch the Wheat

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper or spray with baking spray.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together almond meal, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Beat in coconut oil, honey, egg, and vanilla extract. Use a rubber spatula to fold in coconut and chocolate chips.
  3. Bake for about 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely before serving.

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© Amanda Livesay

Coconut Flour Waffles

As if it hasn’t become really apparent over the years, I get bored really easily. Not like, sitting on the couch flipping channels bored but I get bored of things quickly. Hobbies, books, tv shows, etc, etc, etc.

So on our epic roadtrip earlier this summer, it’s really no surprise that by hour 4 I was done with my playlist. I hated every song. I never wanted to hear them again. I’m still kind of hating it a month later.

I’d been saving podcasts, though, because I know myself and knew I’d get tired of music. I started marathoning Dave Ramsey, Elise Gets Crafty, and Balanced Bites.

My children hated every minute of it.

I really got into Balanced Bites which is a paleo/overall health podcast and after many, many hours of listening, I got really excited about paleo living. I was all YES! WHEN WE GET HOME, EVERYONE’S GOING PALEO! THE KIDS, THE DOGS, EVERYONE!

This lasted about 5 minutes once we actually got home but I discovered a really awesome waffle recipe so… I call it a win.

I dig what coconut flour does for recipes. Especially these waffles. They’re really light and fluffy and the coconut flour adds just a little extra texture and a very slight coconut flavor. Plus coconut flour is high in protein, fiber, and good fats!

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Coconut Flour Waffles

Coconut Flour Waffles

Yield: 6 waffles
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

from The Unrefined Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs, separated
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup almond milk or coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup sifted coconut flour

Instructions

  1. Put egg whites in a large mixing bowl and beat to stiff peaks. Set aside.
  2. In a separate mixing bowl, stir together egg yolks, melted coconut oil, vanilla, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, almond milk, and sifted coconut flour. Stir until almost all lumps are gone. Gently fold in beaten egg whites.
  3. Cook according to waffle maker's instructions. Mine took about 1/2 a cup of batter per waffle and I ended up with 3 waffles.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 193Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 203mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 6g

Did you make this recipe?

Tag me in your Instagram photo - @fakeginger

© Amanda Livesay

Blueberries and Cream Granola

Blueberries and Cream Granola - the most delicious granola recipe! Dried blueberries, almonds, coconut, and white chocolate chips!

Did you know that September is Better Breakfast Month? Well it is and I’ve teamed up with California Almonds to make sure your breakfast is better than ever.

It turns out that 50% of women skip breakfast when they are crunched for time. Studies show that those who eat breakfast are less likely to be overweight, will maintain better cholesterol levels, and live an overall healthier life. So if you are one of those 50% that skip breakfast, almonds are a quick way to get a boost of fiber, protein, and healthy fat.

I have a great almond gift pack to give away to one of y’all but before we get to that, I have the most delicious granola recipe to share. It calls for all my favorites: almonds, dried blueberries, coconut, coconut oil! You could make this over the weekend and have a fantastic breakfast all week long.

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Ocean Water (Sonic Copycat Recipe)

This Sonic copycat Ocean Water recipe is a must have for summer! Sprite or 7Up mixed with coconut extract for the perfect tropical mocktail! A little bit of food dye to make and some fish gummies really make it look like ocean water!

Ocean Water - Sonic copycat recipe! This is a must have for summer! Sprite or 7Up mixed with coconut extract for the perfect tropical mocktail! A little bit of food dye to make and some fish gummies really make it look like ocean water!

My kid started school today.

Like, all day school.

Last year he did half day kindergarten so he was only there for 3 hours which was annoying because I had to accomplish all that needed to be done within those 3 hours but nice because I am a bit of a control freak and like to know what’s going on with my people at all times.

But like I said, he’s gone all day this year. I’m not really sure what I’m going to do with myself.

We celebrated his last day of freedom with this copycat Sonic Ocean Water.

Have you ever had Ocean Water? I avoided it for so long at Sonic (and y’all know that I’m at Sonic’s Happy Hour frequently!) because the name just turned me off.

But once I finally did try it, I fell in love. It’s my go to non-diet Happy Hour choice.

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Skinny Frozen Pina Colada

Skinny Frozen Pina Colada – don’t give up your favorite frozen cocktail during bikini season! Easy 3 ingredient, low calorie pina coladas!

Skinny Frozen Pina Colada - don't give up your favorite frozen cocktail during bikini season! Easy 3 ingredient, low calorie pina coladas!

I told you guys that my husband and I have been having a competition to see who can be the healthiest person ever, right? Surprisingly I am pretty good at this game for most of the day. I work out first thing in the morning, take the dogs/kids for a run, eat well all day… and then find myself in the Taco Bell drive-thru at 10 pm.

That really happened the other night. And then I went home and parked myself in front of Dance Moms while I stuffed my face with nachos bellgrande and guzzled (not diet) Mountain Dew.

I’m trying to change my ways though so I wanted to make a skinny drink for Thirsty Thursday this week.

Nicole and I decided on doing frozen drinks this week and I’ve been on a real coconut kick so you know I had to make a pina colada. This drink comes to 148 calories which is half the calories that you’d get in one of the frozen pouch drinks or a restaurant pina colada. Which means you can have 2 of them! Duh.

(I think this was just sweet enough, but if you need a little added sweetness, you can add a few drops of a liquid, no-calorie sweetener to the blender.)

Nicole made strawberry daiquiris! One of my all-time favorites!

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Samoa Brownies

Last year when Girl Scout cookies started showing up in grocery store parking lots around here, we were doing last minute preparations for deployment. I cannot tell you how many boxes we went through during that time. We were literally eating them for dinner because everything was so hectic. Plus we had a constant stream of soldiers in our house and they, like everyone else in the world, love some Girl Scout cookies. I probably bought 30 boxes.

This year? I bought 2. And they’re still sitting in the pantry. Apparently we burned ourselves out last year.

I couldn’t resist an excuse to make these Samoas Brownies though. And they’re super simple because they start with a boxed mix (or your favorite homemade recipe!) and then they’re topped with a caramel and coconut topping. After all that sets, you drizzle a teeny bit of chocolate on top.

Nicole made a Samoa Cocktail! No lie.

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Samoa Brownies

Samoa Brownies

Yield: about 18 brownies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 box of brownie mix, prepared and cooled (or your favorite recipe prepared)
  • 3 1/2 cups shredded coconut
  • 2 14 ounce package of caramels, unwrapped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons milk
  • 3 ounces semi-sweet chocolate

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400F and place coconut on baking pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir coconut and cook for another 2-3 minutes until toasted. Watch closely so it doesn't burn.
  2. In a large, microwaveable bowl, add unwrapped caramel, salt, and milk and cook on high for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally (about every 45-60 seconds). Microwave until all the caramel is melted and smooth.
  3. Add coconut to the caramel and stir together. Spread over cooled brownies. Refrigerate 4-5 hours or overnight. Remove at least 1 hour from the fridge before cutting.
  4. Put chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 second increments, stirring after each one, until melted and smooth. Drizzle over cut bars.

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As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 18 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 275Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 221mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 2gSugar: 38gProtein: 3g

Did you make this recipe?

Tag me in your Instagram photo - @fakeginger

© Amanda Livesay

Blackberry and Apple Crumble

Blackberry and Apple Crumble is the most delicious summer dessert! Juicy blackberries and apples with a crunchy topping of oats, coconut, and almonds!

Blackberry and Apple Crumble - delicious summer dessert! Juicy blackberries and apples with a crunchy topping of oats, coconut, and almonds!

Blackberries?!

I know.

It’s not berry season but I got some in my Bountiful Baskets basket a few weeks back and I can’t stand the little seedy things so the only thing to do was bake with them.

And since apples are so delicious right now I figured this Blackberry Apple Crumble was the perfect thing to make.

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