I've turned into a Cookie Monster

Since Harrison's birth I've had issues with my milk production - it was slow to come in and my OB said that wasn't surprising based on how much blood I lost.  Basically my body had to decide "make more blood or make more milk" and it chose more blood (thank you, Lord, for making our bodies know what is best!)  I've been trying to get my supply up without the use of Fenugreek.  I'm a big believer in Fenugreek, don't get me wrong. I took it with my first baby and it did wonders for my supply.  However, Harrison has reflux and I really didn't want to add to his tummy issues; which I was afraid I'd do based on how upset Elizabeth's tummy was when I took it. 

 

Someone on the February 08 Playgroup on iVillage had posted the recipe for "Housepoet's Famous Lactation Boosting Cookies" and I thought, "Hey...cookies! I'm all about that!! Can't hurt to try them."  So, I made them on a day that we were especially struggling with supply (turns out - Harrison's 6-week growth spurt coincided with the dip in supply I experience premenstrually -- yeah, six weeks post partum and  my periods are back...I never get a break).  You know what?  These are some *good* cookies!  I recommend them even if you're not lactating.  I've made three batches and have to fight off Katherine and Annie when I make them.  Elizabeth doesn't like that I use semi-sweet chocolate chips so she doesn't eat them.   Brad is afraid they'll make him lactate. ;)  (I'm kidding - he's just not a cookie eater, really).  They have oatmeal and flaxseed meal in them -- they're good for you!!!!  (in case you need to justify making them)

 

Some notes if you choose to make these:  Brewer's Yeast flakes are what you want - not the Brewer's Yeast tablets that they sell at Wal-Mart.  I found Brewer's Yeast flakes in the nutritional supplement area at Whole Foods (aka Wild Oats aka Beans, Grains & Things...which is how I still refer to that store). I got some great thick-cut oats there, too.  You can also get Brewer's Yeast from places that sell home brewing supplies.  I bought my Flaxseed Meal at Whole Foods; but found it at the Wal-Mart Supercenter by our church, too. If you're using the cookies to boost your lactation, use 2 heaping tablespoons of Brewer's Yeast - when I put it in, it's more like 4 level tablespoons.  As far as I can tell, the Brewer's Yeast is in them solely for lactation boosting - so I think you could leave it out if you were making these just to have some good cookies on-hand for a snack.  I use the medium scoop from Pampered Chef to make my cookies and they're the perfect size to bake for 8 minutes at 375(F).  If I've refrigerated the dough, I bake them for 9 minutes and if I've frozen the dough (I scoop and then freeze them that way) then I bake them for 11-12 minutes.    I've read several different things online about these cookies and one woman mentioned that she substituted almonds and dried cranberries for the chocolate chips - that sounds yummy to me!  Others have substituted white chocolate chips (mmm, those would be good with the almond & craisins version if you ask me!) or butterscotch chips.  One woman noted that she'd mixed white, milk & dark chocolate chips.  You could probably add regular raisins and make these oatmeal-raisin cookies -- add a bit of cinnamon, too.

 

We had them this morning with our cop-pee (coffee in Annie-speak - yes, I have yet another child who loves coffee, I'm raisin' 'em right!) for a late morning snack.  If you make them, let me know what you think about them!

 

Housepoet's Famous Lactation Boosting Oatmeal, Chocolate-Chip & Flaxseed Meal Cookies

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons flaxseed meal*

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons of brewers yeast** (be generous)
3 cups oats, thick cut if you can get them
1 cup or more chocolate chips


Directions:
Preheat oven at 375 degrees F.

Mix together flaxseed meal and water, set aside for 3-5 minutes.
Cream butter and sugar.

Add eggs one at a time, mix well.

Stir flaxseed mixture and add with vanilla to the margarine mix. Beat until blended.

Sift together flour, baking soda, salt and Brewer's Yeast. Add to margarine mixture.

Stir in oats then chocolate chips.
Scoop or drop onto baking sheet, preferably lined with parchment or a Silpat
The dough is a little crumbly, so it helps to use a scoop.

Bake 8-12 minutes, depending on size of cookies.

Serves: 6 dozen cookies

*can be found at any local health food store
**IT MUST BE BREWERS YEAST, NO SUBSTITUTIONS.