Cinnamon Raisin No Bake Cookies

During these uncertain times there are a few things that I cling to in order to stay  sane. For one, I maintain my morning routines and rituals. Although each day is bound to be different from the last, I try to set myself up for success by having a semblance of normalcy in the morning hours. For me this means waking up before sunrise and hacking away at my to-do list. I find that I have the most energy and I am most productive in the wee hours of the morning. I like to joke with friends that I wake up so early because I am  excited for what the day might bring. 

Another thing I must do in the morning is MOVE. Even during the pandemic and ensuing lockdown, I insist on physical activity because it gives me the confidence and energy I need to take on the day ahead. Whether it’s a run around manhattan, a bike ride in the park or a zoom workout class,  I move! Occasionally I just take a walk to the east river with my coffee and a podcast. Which brings me to the next AM ritual – Coffee!  Like an early wake time and a workout, coffee is an essential part of my morning. And for me this means whipping up the perfect “hits-the-spot” coffee in the perfect coffee machine.

For those like me who live in NYC, you’ll know that you cannot just buy any random coffee machine. Countertop real estate is precious in NYC so my coffee machine must  take up minimal space! I was drawn to Oxo’s new 8 cup better brew for its compact size and minimalist design. I also love that I can choose to make 1 cup or a full brew.  Often I’ll make a full brew and then store the leftovers in the fridge for ice coffee the next day. Investment in a quality coffee machine is a must for me and Oxo does the trick! 

Establishing morning routines and rituals are critical for setting the day up for success, below I share some tips on how to “take back” the morning if yours, like mine has from time to time, gotten lost in the shuffle of these unpredictable times. 

1. Snooze your phone, computer, emails etc until your work day has officially begun. Allow yourself to have a quiet respite from the barrage of notifications  that you know you will eventually have to tackle. I recommend avoiding screens for at least 30 minutes after waking up!
2. Keep water next to your bed – hydration is crucial in the morning! Your body is craving some water whether you feel thirsty or not! I recommend drinking as soon as you wake up. 

3. Make your bed! This is a non-negotiable for me especially because I live in a studio apartment. However, regardless of the size of your home, I find that keeping your space looking neat helps maintain calm inside and out. Besides, there is nothing like crawling into a tucked in bed after a long day.

4. Burn sage/palo santo – I am a big fan of scents and pretty much always have a candle burning. I love clearing the energy in the room with some palo santo right after waking up.
5. Morning beverage- Use a proper coffee machine to brew your coffee. With social distancing rules and closed businesses, getting a cup of Joe at the local cafe may not be so simple anymore. My Oxo “Better Brew 8 Cup” does the trick for that morning cup.

6. Move your body – After hours in the horizontal position, your body needs to move in order to get your systems going. Grab your coffee and go for a walk, do some jumping jacks while you listen to the news, or open your favorite workout app. Whatever your choice, movement will set you up for a better day ahead. 

Along with sharing my morning routine I wanted to share a quick easy bite you can enjoy along with your morning Joe.  I usually have one or two of these Cinnamon Oatmeal No Bake Cookies right after my workout before I start my work day. They are light and  satisfying, require no additional prep in the morning, and are super easy to grab before I head out the door.

The ingredients in this recipe are pretty much all pantry staples so there’s no need to prepare a shopping list or make a trip to the store before baking. The cookie is  a combination of dried fruits, nuts, oats and warm spices! They also make a great bike snack/adventure snack! Whatever your morning routine looks like, you are sure to enjoy these treats! 

Recipe 

• 1/2 cup pitted dates (soaked in warm water to soften)
• 1/2 cup raisins + additional for garnishing 
• 3/4 cup oats divided 
• 3/4 cup walnuts or pecans divided 
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 
• pinch salt

Directions 

1. In a food processor add ½ cup oats, ½ walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Grind until it is medium size pieces but not ground fully. 
2. Add in dates and raisins. Grind again until fully combined
3. Once fully combined add in remaining nuts (¼ cup) and oats (¼ cup) pulse until combined 
4. Prepare a baking tray with parchment paper and scoop mixture into 1 ½ size tablespoons or use a small cookie scoop.
5. Roll into balls then flatten with a fork( if the fork is sticking to the batter wet the fork)
6. Then place a few raisins on top of each
7. Freeze on tray and then transfer to a container and store in the freezer to preserve