What's In My Kitchen?- October 2025 Post (IMK)

What ? No!! It can't be October already !! 

September really flew by and now it's time once again to join Sherry at Sherry's picking for the In My Kitchen Blog Share where bloggers share what's been going on in our kitchen the month before. Why not join in? 

Although I have had this pottery stoneware set since I married 53 years ago, I have not used it in years. The other day I took it out and used it as a chip and dip set. It's actually two different pieces from the same potter.

Birthday Celebration With Exotic Fruit Salad Platter

How do you celebrate a birthday without a birthday cake? 

My son, Jonathan, is very careful with his diet and avoids inflammatory foods. For the past 2 years, he has not been eating sugar or anything made with sugar. 

It is a challenge to think of what to make to celebrate his birthday. We already know that he will not indulge in a birthday cake, so what to do? 

Well, his wife, Wendy, and their two daughters came up with the perfect solution. The pictures are worth a thousand words, so I will let you see the photos of Jon's birthday celebration in lieu of a cake !

Happy Birthday Jon 💋💋

The exotic fruit salad platter included :  

Dragon fruit, papaya, kiwi, guava, mango

strawberries, and star fruit. His candles were place in a banana. 

Everyone enjoyed a healthy celebration made with fruit salad instead of cake!!

I did make Jon my sugarless/flourless oatmeal cookies which only contain mashed banana, oats, and cinnamon and are very tasty. Optional chopped dates, nuts, raisins. 

I put a candle in a few of the cookies and we sang Happy Birthday!

Link to Recipe for Oatmeal Cookies

Notes: 

1. I always use certified gluten-free oats. If oats are not certified gluten free, they may cross contaminate and actually contain gluten and not be safe. I purchase these certified gluten-free oats-affiliate link.

2.  The oatmeal cookies are very quick and easy to make.

3. I eat the oatmeal cookies on the Starch Solution Diet-They are  Oil-free.

Shared on Weekend Cooking at The Intrepid Reader and Baker where anyone can join in and share a food related post.

Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies - oil-free and vegan

Soft and chewy, these simple cookies make a delicious and nutritious breakfast. 

Do you like eating oatmeal for breakfast? 

These easy to make mashed oatmeal breakfast cookies are a tasty and healthy alternative to a bowl of oatmeal. Without sugar, flour or any processed additives, this flourless cookie recipe could become a family favorite.

Oats are a whole grain, and studies show eating oats may provide many health benefits including reducing risks of heart disease, lowering blood sugar levels, and helping with weight loss. Oats are also loaded with nutrients and antioxidants and just a 1 cup of dry oats supplies 8 grams of fiber and 13 grams of protein.

The convenient gluten-free cookies (I always use these certified gluten-free oats-affiliate link) are prepared by using just a fork for mashing the banana and a small bowl. 

The best part of making these cookies is that they can be made on the spur of the moment since they use so few ingredients and require very little work. The base of the cookie is oatmeal and mashed banana which I then sprinkle with cinnamon and ground cardamom. Of course any seasoning or additions of your choice would be a nice addition such as raisins, chopped dates, chopped apples, or chopped walnuts.

I picture eating them when I don't have time for a proper breakfast or when I'm traveling or on the run.

Yesterday, we went to visit my 96 year old mother in law in her assisted living facility.  

I had to be out most of the day, so I kept these cookies in a baggie in my purse for a healthy snack on the drive home. Having these healthy cookies on hand kept me from making a less healthy choice and filling up so I wasn't starving when I walked in the door.

The amazing thing is that they actually taste sweet and delicious. 

They are a soft cookie and don't usually get hard and crisp up- but I actually like soft cookies. 

A friend, (Stephanie S.), said that she adds a little gluten-free flour to the mix to achieve a crispier cookie.

You can make them in advance and they will last up to three days. 

They are very allergy friendly as they are naturally gluten-free, oil-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and nut free. 

It's a great treat when you are having company and someone has a food restrictions. This may be a safe cookie.

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup of rolled oats (I use certified gluten-free oats-affiliate link)

1 large ripe banana 

1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon of ground cardamom

Optional: chopped apple, chopped walnuts, raisins, chopped dates, etc. 

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees

In a small bowl, mash a large ripe banana. Stir in the rolled oats, cinnamon, and ground cardamom and any other mix-ins of your choice. Using a tablespoon, spoon heaping tablespoons onto a parchment covered cookie sheet. Bake for 12 minutes, checking to prevent burning. Remove cookie sheet from oven and allow to cool . Using a spatula remove and place on a plate.

Sharing this post on Weekend Cooking  where everyone is welcome to share a food related post. Come see what's cooking this weekend.

My Notes: 

1. This recipe makes about 9-10 cookies . Double the recipe for a larger amount. 

2. When I use a tablespoon to drop the cookie batter, I round out the mound. 

3. Make sure your banana is ripe and large- otherwise use two bananas.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and am not trying to give medical advice. The information in this blog post and all my blog posts are for informational and educational reasons only. Always check with your medical doctor before making changes in your diet and for medical advice.

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