skinny no-bake cookies

dinah's been going through some big emotional crud lately. i think it's a combination of a lot of things: adjusting to real life after vacation, missing her best friend (who is now gone on vacation with her family), jealous of baby brother, hot weather discomfort, and as far as i can tell, being three, in general, just ain't easy.

she's always been prone to meltdowns and big feelings (a girl after my own heart), but they have grown bigger and stronger this year than in the past. her meltdowns take many forms and they're always a delightful surprise :), but usually, they come in the form of anger. abrupt, intense, and violent rage. it starts with an ear piercing, blood curdling scream. then comes the grinding of her teeth, red face, tense body, throwing of objects, kicking whatever (or whoever) is nearby, and then finally, she ends by flinging herself facedown wherever she is and sobs and sobs. then she'll look up to make sure i'm still paying attention and dramatically pleads for me to "puh-leeeeze be nice" to her, even though i was never mean to her in the first place. well, unless turning off the tv or suggesting she tidy up her things or asking her to please not draw on the furniture or not cutting her toast properly is being mean? totally.

i understand meltdowns and big feelings are inevitable, she's only three after all. they are also a normal part of her brain development. these meltdowns will occur no matter what i do to avoid them. however, how i react and how i help her navigate these big emotions is very important for her longterm emotional intelligence.

when she has these angry outbursts they are a signal to me that she needs some connection and a little extra one-on-one care from her mama. a quick snuggle is all it takes some days. other days, the process is a little more heavy and demanding. sometimes i can't do it and i yell too. other days, like today, i'm calm and respectful of her and i'm able to hold her until she calms down. today as i wiped away her tears for the umpteenth time, i asked what might help her feel better. "cookies." duh. they make everyone feel better. good answer, dinah. but in reality, does my already emotionally wrecked little girl need loads of white flour or refined white sugar? umm, noooo. our oven is also on the fritz and we needed something simple and quick, since my girl was extra fragile today. so we made healthy no-bake peanut butter oatmeal cookies. no refined sugar, high in protein (from the peanuts) and high in fiber (from the oats). and super yummy. win-win-win.

skinny no-bake cookies

1/2 c. creamy peanut butter

1 small very ripe banana

1/3 c. honey

1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa

1/4 c. milk

2.5 c. oats

line a baking sheet with wax paper. melt peanut butter and mashed banana toether in a large pot over low heat until fully melted and combined. remove from heat. add honey, cocoa powder, milk, and oats. mix until fully combined and then drop on the baking sheet with a spoon and mold into the desired shape. refrigerate for about two hours. or if you're like me and dinah, just enjoy right away, but they'll be crumbly!