Frankie Beans always seems to have bananas on his brain! Every time I go in to the kitchen or even close to the kitchen where the bananas are he stares at me with a look that says “give me that banana!” This boy has loved bananas ever since he was a pup. Bananas and apples and carrots – the BEST treats for your doggies! They’re good for us to eat and just as good for them. As I’m standing there looking at these two very ripe bananas and one funny pup, I think banana cookies! Frankie happily agreed.
On another note, which leads to why I chose these specific ingredients, I have been feeling not my best and most recently been dealing with my eye lashes falling out. Which is always wonderful… I went to a few doctors and dermatologists and as usual got no specific answer which is the usual answer at this point. So I started my own investigation and will follow up in another post with what I found in detail. But the reason for these banana cookies is because I wanted to try to bake a treat taking out as many allergens as I can, even eggs. Maybe there was something else that I was allergic to?!? I knew it wasn’t nuts so I kept the almond flour and everything else was going to be as pure as possible. Me and My Troop went in that kitchen and started working.
With Frankie steady by my side, I set off for a cookie that was gluten free, dairy free, soy free, xanthan gum free, corn free, egg free, refined sugar free, and low in sugar as well. Pure manic how these cookies didn’t come out taste free! Because these cookies came out so good!!! After a few attempts with the batter I got a moist savory cookie that kept fresh in my cookie jar for 6 days and would have kept longer but they were gone! And they would keep even longer if you kept them refrigerated. These delicious cookies are good for you and anyone you love, even a bite for your furry friend. 
Banana Cookies
preheat oven 400*
1 cup almond flour
1 cup quinoa flour
1/4 cup arrowroot flour
3/4 cup certified gluten free oatmeal
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup maple sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup grape seed oil or canola oil
1/2 cup almond milk
2 very ripe bananas
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Directions:
1. In large mixing bowl combine all dry ingredients and whisk out lumps.
2. In separate bowl mash bananas with fork then add oil and milk, combine until creamy.
3. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until combined, then fold in nuts.
4. Scoop out mixture with spoon and place on parchment paper and bake for 13-16 minutes depending on how soft you like your cookies. Enjoy!!!
Ever Onward,
Jennifer Esposito
My family loves bananas, definately trying this one out this weekend. Thank you so much… for just being you!!
Eyelash fall is common in thyroid conditions…have they checked your thyroid? Keeping in mind a doc who doesn’t just look to see if you are “within the range”, but if you may be on the low end, or high end.
Also, an amino acid panel might be beneficial to see if you’re deficient in any amino acids…Best,
Hi. Brewer’s Yeast is the best way to get amino acids into your body. Since its a food its easy for the body to digest, and if you get the debittered kind, or the kind that’s grown from sweet beets, it has a very nice nutty flavor to it….a couple of tablespoons in water, tea, juice, soy milk and you’ve just supplied your brain and body with all the requirements it needs for amino acids for the day….try it you’ll like!
Please be careful with Brewer’s Yeast. Almost all of it is made with barley, which has gluten in it. You really have to read labels with this one.
Doesn’t rice or oat bran have lots of good-for-you amino acids too?
Oops. That’s rice bran, not rice. Sorry.
Franky is so adorable, and so sorry to hear of your feeling well, my lashes, eyebrows and hair were always falling out, could it be you have Hashimoto, I was diagnosed with it about a year after Celiac, and now I have about 6 thyroid nodules, had them biopsied, and they were negative, need to have an ultra sound ever 6 months to a year, to see if any more nodules grew. I can’t wait to get in the kitchen and try this recipe. It sounds yummy.
hi, jennifer –
just a thought re your eyelashes – have you checked into another autoimmune disease – thyroid disease – since we’re more prone to have others. good luck to you
I am very sorry to read that you are not feeling well. I am even more worried that your eyelashes are falling out. Furthermore, I am still in shock that a city like New York does not have the expertise that would offer you some kind of plausible explanation as to why you still suffer from the effects of malnutrition due to celiac disease. The G.P.A.’s just to get into some of their universities and graduate programs alone would make anybody think that would result in a expedient and precise diagnosis. Unfortunately, not everything is possible especially when you need it at a critical time in your life.
Have you ever heard of the Pill Cam? It was invented in Israel for the purposes of examining numerous categories of nutritional and digestive difficulties.
Israel is the one of the very few countries known for elite intelligence and invention in science and technology. In essence, the economy of Israel is known as ”the economy of mind.” Precisely speaking, their brains are their main commodity to sell to the world for their own survival as a nation and people. In fact, many of the advances in science and technology we enjoy today in North America have been invented in Israel.
Would you ever consider making a visit to Israel to have a team of doctors focus on your health exclusively? The cost would be a fraction of what it would cost you in the States. Also, their medical services are open to the world. You do not have to be Jewish or an Israeli citizen to make use of their medical services. You may have to pay for them since you are not an Israeli citizen, but like I stated earlier it would cost you only a fraction of what it would cost you in the States–especially New York.
I am not Jewish, and I am presently taking steps now to have a few medical procedures performed in Israel after experiencing many unnecessary hurdles and disappointments in my Canadian health care system for the most simplest of procedures.
I encourage you to look at the long term approach when it comes to foreshadowing possible events that may take place later on in your future. I am very thankful that I have a business that does not require my immediate physical presence at all times. There was a time in my life that my health required me to make an immediate and abrupt stop to all other activities. I had to focus on my health 100% of the time. I was severely fatigued, my legs were swelling up and my stomach was giving me extreme pain. I do not wish to go into great length and detail here, but I hope and pray your passion, sincerity and honesty to help others eventually leads you to a place in life where you have full independence. And that if your health or physical well being ever drop a few degrees, you are in a position where you are not under any other demand to honor for your time. Where you have the independence to dictate your own schedule, so you can focus on and cure what may be ailing you at that given time. In essence, time would be yours to own and enjoy where you can use it to your advantage to make sure your health is performing at an optimum level. I am not talking about the aesthetics of good health, but making sure your body is working at its best and allowing you to have a good quality of life.
Here is a link to the Pill Cam. This procedure may already be available to the public in New York right now.
http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/27605/new-israeli-export-an-easy-pill-for-patients-to-swallow/
Given Imaging LTD is the inventor and maker of the Pill Cam. They are the leaders in gastro-intestinal imaging and disorder detection.
http://www.4-traders.com/GIVEN-IMAGING-LTD-ISRAE-9435/news/Given-Imaging-Ltd-Israel-Given-Imaging-Initiates-Pivotal-Trial-for-PillCam-R-COLON-2-in-Japan-13891839/
Any doctor can offer you many theories for the ”possible” explanations as to why you are not feeling well, and why you are still noticing the affects of malnutrition (eyelashes falling out). As we all know you are well aware of this. However, it appears to me that you need the proper tests and procedures performed to actually KNOW why and what is causing all of these ill effects you are still experiencing. You may need to have a test performed on your stomach of the actual and true rate of absorption of vital nutrients your body desperately needs in order to function at a decent level.
There is an old saying “‘There is no better wealth than good health.”
Take care , God Bless and get well
beautiful! Love the article, photo and the recipe! simple…easy. I’m new to this gf thing & i have to say it’s MINDBLOWING to try to wrap my brain around all the new things for baking. i’m dying for a COOKIE. Thus far, i only have brown rice flour..i’ve got to collect a few more ingredients I guess…whew. when i do though, i’m going to these first!! Thanks !
Hi Jennifer.Check for other autoimmune diseases about your eyelashes…as we are suseptible to other ones because we have Celiac.I have sorjenjens(spelling?) disease ,which is dry eye&mouth! Anyway,hang in there,you,we,are all still beautiful people., Great recipe,I will try it soon! And i will share them with my corgi(9) & chocolate lab(12).
I am going to try these for sure.. Can you do oats? I find a lot of Celiacs cannot tolerate oats.
I love almond flour it is great. Have you ever tried following a Paleo Diet.. I am trying it to see if it will help my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.. The more I read the more I realize that grains are inflammatory and can cause issues for us with auto immune issues. Have a great day Jennifer and thanks for posting this recipe. Love your pooch! Right now I am looking after 3 dogs. A doodle, a coon hound, and my 16 year old retriever/cocker mix. Fun
Hi Jennifer…omg Frankie is just too cute….sorry to hear about your eyelashes it happened to me and i ended up having a thyroid issue; I also started using a product by talika (for eyelashes and eyebrows) and it helped…just wanted to mention that there is this program, Know the Cause and it’s on at 8am on Channel 10….very, very informative (they also have a website). Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your recipes and for not using Xanthan Gum, ugh – I just read an article on it and can’t believe that people actually use it in their “gluten-free” recipes! All the best
My Newfie loves bananas and carrots too. We give her carrots in the morning when I am making my lunch and a banana after her evening meal just before our walk. I think big dogs need a lot of attention to their diet as they are normally predisposed to a relatively short life span. Hope you are well.
Dan
Love it! Have you watch this tutorial on what gluten iss and how it was introduced into society by the government back in the day? Its 40 min but so worth i!! I have shared it on my blog as well, but havent had much luck geting people to pay attention to this random disease! No one cares adn I just want people to see this dang video so they understand! http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/video-tutorial/gluten-sensitivity-what-is-it/
well from the first pic it looks like indie has forgiven you from waikng him up last night he he!!!! your camera is very fabulous .oh the fun we shall have taking pics next week will be amazing!!!! do you have a good veg burger recipe thinking of our chill and grill’s next week. there are some groc stores on the island but anything specialty i think we should plan on bringing it with. there is a blender .hmmm some island drinks maybe??? looked at the weather forecast up there .mid to high 70 s during the day and low 50 s at night ..good bonfire weather!!
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hi, jennifer –
i’m writing again because i just realized something further re your eyelashes. you use a LOT of almond flour and bananas – these are two foods (called goitrogens) that mess with your thyroid if you have thyroid disease (also autoimmune), especially almonds. and thyroid disease can cause you to lose hair. i urge you to see your doctor and get testing done for HYPOthyroidism (tsh, free t3, free t4, and definitely thyroid antibodies) and possibly HYPERthyroidism. if your tsh is under 0.3 or over 3.0, you need to be treated (don’t worry – it’s easy). i just spent some time doing what you’ve been doing recently – trying to find the answer to this “mystery” through food and additives, etc. but the answer for me was hypothyroidism, and my goitrogens were almonds and corn. please see your doc.
RE: nuts, I have heard that you need to soak for 24 hours, then dry out before use as (can’t remember right now exactly what it is) something in them is an inhibitor to digestion and the soaking and redrying solves that issue.
YES soaking nuts makes them easier to digest and better nutritionally!!!!
If you walk into this footwear there’s a new wesgstlehsneis look plus feel to be able to your prospects as well as possess some sort of further springy medium singular that’s going to include a spring and also coil on the basic steps.Typically the type types Lusotitan atalaiensis.
Wow! When I read your eyelash issue, Jennifer, I could identify. My doctor a few years back was sharp and suspected I had celiac disease. I clearly had an issue with gluten that worsened the past few years and was forced to go gluten free. (Did not know then what I know now about the disease.) Turned my life around, Jennifer – no more arthritic or back pain or GI symptoms that came late for me – but that was not the half of it as I was soon to learn. Did test negative serum wise b/c I had been GF for about 3-4 months before my annual physical. Based on my odd medical issues since childhood – esp. one rare autoimmune eye inflammatory disorder that cropped up in my 20′s – my doctor has labeled me as a probably celiac with no active disease form the GF diet. My ophthalmologist was amazed to hear my diagnosis after he noted he could no longer see this underlying inflammation.
My primary did not want to have me undergo a gluten challenge because prior to the GF diet I could barely walk from the joint and back pain – and GI symptoms had become severe. She felt leave well enough alone – but due to the autoimmune stuff like hair loss and the eye issue and the inflamed joints, anemia, Vit D deficiency, etc. over the past 2-3 decades she doubted it was simply gluten sensitivity.
So the healthier I became off gluten I started to realize the otehr insidious things that had happened to my body. I knew I had hair thinning (as had my mother) a few years prior to my diagnosis – vitamin therapy helped stop the fallout but it was still quite thin, but on the GF diet my hair became thicker than I could ever remember…I then started to grow my eyebrows back – never realized how thin over time they had gotten especially at the edges (yes my thyroid tests have been negative)…and one day I was having problems with mascara clumping (for years with the eye issue I could not wear any but the last 4-5 years I was able to wear only Almay brand without causing an eye inflammation flare-up) – I then realized the clumping issue (after going GF) was because I had started to grow new tiny eyelashes between my pathetically thin ones!!!
My eyelashes became gorgeously thick and long the past few months that was until I accidently ate some pizza from a place we always got safe GF ones from – to realize into my second piece – oh no this is not their gluten-free crust! Took me about 3 weeks to recover – and in the interim my new beautiful eyelashes have started to fall out, as has my hair as well. Things are recovering.
So as an RN, the first thing I would ask yourself Jennifer, if it is possible you had some gluten contamination at some point that is causing this eyelash loss directly or indirectly due to a sudden vitamin/mineral absorption issue this is presenting as? The next question is (as so many have noted) have you developed one of the numerous autoimmune disorders associated with celiac disease (as noted by another poster thyroid is a big one)? Along with this you do need to consider other food allergies – but mostly additives. Many celiac patients react to the food additive/emulsifier/thickener carrageenan in a similar way to gluten. In fact, many celiac folks discover that they do not actually have lactose intolerance from not producing lactase (villi recovery for the epithelial cells that produce this enzyme not complete or another reason) but the carrageenan found in so many dairy products. Many come to this realization that it is not the dairy when they switch to almond or soy milk that also contains carrageenan as their symptoms continue or worsen – some do not make this connection to carrageenan and think they are no allergic to or intolerant of soy. This problem with carrageenan for many celiac is cited all over the web.
I had no symptoms for weeks with the GF diet then suddenly developed my typical gluten symptoms of GI and joint and back pain. I reviewed the past 2-3 days of what I had eaten to discover I had made pudding (packaged) and whip cream (from scratch). I researched every ingredient to find that both the pudding and cream contained this thickener to prevent separation of carrageenan – derived from red seaweed. Europe’s version of the FDA has prohibited it in formula due to its well known inflammatory issues, while our FDA just recommends manufacturers do not use it in formula sold in the U.S. It is given to lab animals to simulate IBS and arthritic symptoms for testing of new drugs for those indications. Other research is increasingly showing links of this inflammatory agent to cancers.
So I go along fine…remove carrageenan (sadly it is in every brand of fat-free creamer and just about every ice cream – Breyer’s is still OK but some new version is using it!) to then get some symptoms when I bought some almond milk that I had thought did not have carrageen – but it did. So for me the connection of my gluten-like symptoms to carrageenan is clear. Once again fine for months then they symptoms occur again – no carrageenan this time – but I had some canned beans from Whole Foods (I believe) that had kombu (brown) seaweed in it. SO IT IS SEAWEED – the same seaweeds that Dr. Oz and his holistic folks advise eating to reduce inflammation is causing inflammation that is leading to my bowel symptoms and my joint pain.
So I am working with one of the celiac groups and their scientist to research my theory that the protein core of the seaweed – not the carbohydrate – polysaccharide portion – but the protein portion of at least the red and brown seaweed species used in food processing (there are 1000’s of species) that has an amino acid chain similar to that of gluten – gliadins and glutenines. Why else would so many celiac patients react to these seaweeds and the ubiquitous derivative of red seaweed – carrageenan – the same way they react to gluten – especially for folks like me who have not other food allergies or sensitivities?
So definitely, Jennifer, see your doctor (obviously) but check out that you are not eating anything with additives especially that carrageenan – often used as a cheaper substitute than guar gum or xanthan gum, and with permission of your doctor ramp up you vits – esp. the B ones that will hopefully get the eyelashes growing back. There is always the thought that a reaction to mascara or eye shadow may be causing this. Keep in mind that many folks – especially celiac patients – often have an issue with MSG – which while produced synthetically now was originally derived from seaweed. Once again – had symptoms – went to check out what was it this time – turns out it was monoammonium glutamate (an MSG substitute) in this low-sodium chicken broth. That is how I learned of the MSG connection to seaweed. One of my doctors likes my theory, as do the people at the celiac group – though the scientist they have reached out to sees this as unlikely as it would have turned up before this in amino acid sequencing work, but I would like to see the lab data on these seaweeds myself.
How many drugs like Latisse (for eyelash growth) or others for psoriatic arthritis or osteoporosis or IBS or rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, etc. could be eliminated with a celiac diagnosis and better research into food additives that may contain gluten-like amino acid chains.
I’ve been a celiac for 21 years – had no celiac symptoms but had an endoscopy for a different issue.
There isn’t much that I miss except for a good English muffin. There are so many more products available then there ever was when I was diagnosed.
Jennifer – I watch Blue Bloods religiously. When you were having tummy trouble in one of the episodes, I wondered – …hmm – celiac disease?
I’m a RN so maybe that’s way.
Great to find your site. Wonderful article in Gluten-Free Living.
Went through the eyelash loss thing though I did not realize it (it happened over many years), and I just settled for my thin, few lashes. When I was diagnosed and went GF – after about 5-6 months I started to grow new lashes in between the few I had – these new short lashes explained the mascara clumping issue I suddenly experienced! Several weeks ago I had a few slices of pizza until I realized it was not the GF pizza as ordered. Took a month to recover – and part of it was hair fallout and the loss of my new luscious eyelashes! Gluten contamination, another autoimmune issue, vitamin deficiency esp. B7, or allergy to some mascara or liner – can be the cause – all of which I am sure you and your doctor have looked at.
Hi Jennifer,
There is a “diet” called specific carbohydrate diet that is intended to heal the gut and it is a very limiting diet for a couple of months but it does allow the gut to fully heal after so much abuse from the hurtful foods. Actually, you would want to stay off grains for this time to allow gut to heal. http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/news/cure_for_coeliac_disease.htm
Love your site and your situation sounds so familiar
Also, the following websites make a supremely healing and flora friendly fermented juice from cabbage tastes wonderful! Believe it or not! 2 sites:
http://electroherbalism.com/Naturopathy/Therapies/Diet/Cultured%20Cabbage.htm
http://realfoodforager.com/6-reasons-to-drink-fermented-cabbage-juice/
Finally, prayers for your journey! Take care, Suzanna
You just about describe our dog treats, Biscuits by Lambchop! Both the banana and apple flavors!! Martha’s dogs approve!
We have deep admiration for you. You find & keep discovering innovative ways to emphasize nutrition beyond the white starch gluten free flours. My family says thanks for sharing, best wishes to you & keep up the great work!
I was told that when you have one Autoimmune Disease you can have another one. I have Hashimoto’s Disease, which is a Thyroid Disease. I think it is the reason why my hair is falling out on the right side. I need to find a new endocrinologist. My moved away.
I have a husky, Bolt, who loves strawberries. During the summer months, when we make smoothies, Bolt is under my feet waiting for me to drop some because he knows I always do. My other husky, Zeus, is the picky! He is allergic to wheat products.
Love your website & that you are a great advocate for Celiac!
Hi Jennifer,
My daughter and I have missed you so much on Blue Bloods. I just decided to google to see if we could find out why you left BB last night and discovered your blog and could not believe you have celiac disease! I am so sorry all that you have been through. But, so excited about your blog and bakery! I Love what you are doing!! My daughter and I both have Hashimotos, and gluten sensitivity…we are trying to go gluten free and so involved in healthier diet choices. The info and comments on this site are wonderful!! Also…I have two golden retrievers and my male, Digger LOVES bananas…he gets a half of one every morning and has for years!! Love your Frankie Bean!! Also…because of the thyroid disease I have problems with eyebrow and eyelash growth too…I use Young Living Lavender essential oil on my eyebrows and put one drop of the oil in my mascara…it helps! Thank you for all you are doing!