When I was a little girl I can remember baking with my mom all the time. But, it was this time of year that I really enjoyed because my sisters and I got to help her decorate special holiday cookies for our neighbors. Now as an adult I have a whole new appreciation for how important those traditions are, but it is challenging because I know about the negative side effects of traditional baked goods. But keeping this tradition going means a lot to me.
Living a gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free lifestyle has left me feeling great year round. I no longer suffer from sugar highs, bloating, or pain from dairy and wheat, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t sometimes crave the desserts from my childhood. As many of you know I spent the last couple years developing the raw dessert recipes for my cookbook, Sweets in the Raw: Naturally Healthy Desserts, but sometimes I am asked to make a baked option and this is when I have to get a little creative. Thanks to awesome gluten-free flours and healthy sweeteners like date paste that are now available on the market this is now getting easier and easier!
Today my nephew and I didn’t make a recipe from my past. We created a new healthy holiday cookie packed with seasonal flavors like nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice. Even though the recipe isn’t exactly the same, we are still keeping a family tradition going. A family tradition doesn’t always mean keeping everything exactly the way it was. Sometimes you can keep the most important parts, like the bonding while baking for hours, and replace the parts that don’t benefit you and your family. At the end of the day you will enjoy quality time and eat something healthy for you as well.
Leave a Reply