Yesterday evening I was a walking example of how not to grocery shop with your kids. For anyone that witnessed me wheeling my whining, yelling, snotty children around Lindo’s in Warwick, I do apologise. It was not one of my finest parenting moments, made worse by the fact that usually (honestly!) my kids are a bit of a dream when we shop. It was however, an effective method of contraception for the student packing bags at the checkout.Back at home, after feeding my starving offspring, things improved. That is until I found all the LH’s gym shorts in my underwear drawer put there by the maid. I am not complaining about having someone clean my house, I am just a little upset that she thought they would fit me. I was once given a very sound bit of advice: “Never marry a man with a bottom smaller than yours.” I thought I had achieved that…. but apparently not.So, in an effort to return my behind to its former status, I have done a clean sweep of the treats in our house. They tend to creep back in once in a while and before I know it I think it’s perfectly acceptable to round off every meal with a coconut macaroon. Of all people, I should know better.It would be a little sad though to go through life with no sweet treats at all especially on days when your kids appear to have been possessed. Hooray then for Dr Oz, who came up with this fun “protein cookie” recipe the idea being that the additional protein (and fibre) helps to keep you feeling full for longer, preventing over-the-top snacking.The nice thing about this cookie is that it’s also nutrient-rich. Sugary junk-food options may satisfy a sweet tooth but they provide you with zero nutrition. That can trick your body into a having a consistently elevated appetite it’s constantly asking for more nutrients, a signal which you misread as simple hunger and try and meet with yet more junk.Not being one to leave well enough alone when it comes to recipes, I have made three changes here. I appreciate that meddling with a Dr Oz recipe is a little overkill, but here are my justifications.Firstly, re the protein powder: if you use a soy one, look for whole soy powder rather than isolated soy protein powders which are heavily processed. Alternatively use a whey or pea-based protein powder. Secondly, try swapping the peanut butter for almond butter it’s a better source of good fat and just as good a source of protein. Lastly, instead of regular brown sugar, try Sucanet from Down to Earth or Lindo’s. It’s just as sugary, but less processed and more mineral rich. Don’t worry, the high protein and fibre content helps to steady the release of glucose into your blood stream, resulting in more of a sustained energy release.Makes two to three dozen, depending on the size of your scoops!Ingredients:⅔ c natural peanut butter (I suggest you swap to almond butter)2 eggs⅓ c brown sugar (try Sucanet from Down to Earth or Lindo’s for a whole food sweetener that’s more nutrient rich.)½ c unsweetened apple sauce1 tsp vanilla1 tsp baking powder2 c oats¾ c ground flax seed (or any of the Linwoods seed mixes)¼ tsp salt4 scoops chocolate soy protein powder (I suggest whole soy or soy-free)Directions:1. Preheat the oven to 350F.2. Combine eggs, brown sugar/sucanet, applesauce, nut butter and vanilla.3. Add protein powder, oats, ground seeds, salt and baking powder.4. Protein scoop size varies so if your mix is too dry add a little apple sauce; if too wet, add some more oats.5. Drop small spoonfuls of dough onto cookie sheets (think small golf balls!). Press down a little on the top of each one with a fork to flatten slightly. Bake for ten to 12 minutes until they have spread and gone a little brown around the edges. The cookies are quite heavy like a cross between a cookie and a chewy granola bar. Just the thing to fill you up!The advice given in this article is not intended to replace medical advice, but to complement it. Always consult your GP if you have any health concerns. Catherine Burns BA Hons, Dip ION is the managing director of natural ltd and a fully qualified nutritional therapist trained by the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in the UK. Please note that she is not a registered dietitian. For details visit www.natural.bm or call 236-7511.