5 Healthy Treats to Try Before the Summer's Over

Consider this your summer bucket list when it comes to food. We have a little less than three weeks and counting (sadly, I'm counting) before the tidal wave of fresh berries, sweet corn and juicy tomatoes gives way to apples and pumpkins.

I, unfortunately, am one of those people who goes kicking and screaming into fall. I'm never one to look forward to my cozy sweaters. I want to eat plump berries on a deck while watching the sunset. Screw my sweaters. Therefore, I'll be stuffing my face with the last of what the season has to offer. Care to join me? Let's start with these blueberry brownie cookies, chocolate heaven with a dose of antioxidant rich blueberries.

Blueberry Brownie Cookies
5 cups barley flour
2 1/2 cups cocoa, sifted
1 1/2 cups homemade blueberry syrup
1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips
1 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

6 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 cup water
2 cups blueberries, washed

1. Place blueberries in a medium size sauce pan with water and simmer on medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until consistency thickens a bit.

2. Strain liquid through a fine collander, pressing solids to get all the juice out. Put the blueberry solids aside (jam).

3. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine the cocoa powder and barley flour. In a separate bowl, mix the syrups, oil and chocolate chips.  Add the wet ingredients into the flour mixture. This will be a tough mix but don’t be discouraged. Roll a tablespoon of dough in hands and then place on prepared cookie sheet. Press the ball of dough with the back of a spoon, leaving a little indent for filling with jam.

4. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Place a dollop of blueberry jam from strainer onto the cookies before they completely cool.

Here are four more kid-friendly and delicious dishes to make before your summer's over:

Strawberry Shortcake Sliders are a plate full of goodness using two mini, spelt flour biscuits, fresh strawberries and homemade whip cream. Can you say heaven?
Grilled Italian Cornmeal Cake and Fruit Corn pairs sweet peaches and nectarine with a gluten-free, buttery cake.

Pineapple Raspberry Rockets are a cool and homemade fruity treat.

Strawberry Watermelon Salad has been my family's addiction this year. If they only knew it was packed with lycopene and vitamin C.


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