Don't Retract Pack

Paleo, Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies

By Denise Nassar © 2012

Nothing says Christmas like the flavor of winter spices on gingerbread cut-out cookies... except for maybe gingerbread houses? I guess that should be my next experiment. These cookies were a lot of fun to make. My 3 year old, Lilah, loves to help me cook and she often makes cookies with play dough and pretends to be writing recipes for "Willoughby Wallaby" (Edible Harmony). This was the perfect opportunity to get her involved in the kitchen and let her experience cookie making with real ingredients. She was so proud of this cookie she made for her daddy all by herself (below).

To create Paleo-Friendly, Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies I modified the traditional recipe by substituting wheat flour with coconut and almond flour, and I replaced the molasses with a mix of dates and maple syrup. The end result was delicious; I couldn’t even tell that the molasses was missing!

For other grain-free cookie recipes, you may also wish to try my chocolate chip cookies or my thumb-print almond cookies.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of almond flour
  • 1 tbsp of coconut flour
  • ½ cup of pitted dates, packed (about 12 deglet dates)
  • ½ cup of maple syrup
  • 3 tbsp of coconut oil
  • 1 tsp of ground cinnamon
  • 3 tsp of ginger powder 
  • ½ tsp of ground all spice 
  • ¼ to 1/2 tsp of ground cloves 
  • ¼ to 1/2 tsp of ground nutmeg 
  • ¼ tsp of salt 

To decorate use coconut butter, currants, raisins, nuts or goji berries.

Cookie decorated by my 3 year old for her Dad. 

Preparation: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Using a blender or food processor, blend the dates, maple syrup, coconut oil and spices until smooth.

Add the coconut flour and blend for a few seconds.

Add the almond flour and run the food processor until a ball is formed with the dough. If you are using a blender you will need to transfer the dough to a bowl and mix in the almond flour by hand.

Let the dough stand for 15 to 20 minutes at room temperature before rolling out.

Set the dough on a piece of parchment paper. Flatten it with your hands. Place another piece of parchment paper on top of the dough and using a rolling-pin, a bottle or a large glass to roll the dough flat until it is about a ¼ inch thick.

Cut the dough with cookie cutters and transfer cookies to parchment paper lined cookie sheet. To prevent the dough from sticking to the cookie cutter, dip it in water before cutting each cookie, wetting your hands will prevent them from sticking to it as well.

Roll the remaining cut out pieces into a ball, flatten the dough again and cut out more cookies until all the dough is used.

Bake for about 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Decorate as desired. If you are using nuts and raisins you can decorate before baking. If you are using goji berries put those on the cookie right after they come out of the oven - you can use raw honey to help them stick. If you are using coconut butter put it over the cookie once it has cooled down, soften it with your hands as if you were kneading play dough.



Christmas at God's House


Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38,
When 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day. 
"Where are we?" asked one little girl, quiet as a mouse.
"This is heaven," declared a small boy. "We're spending Christmas at God's house." 
When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
But Jesus, their savior; the children gathered near. 
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring,
Those children all flew into the arms of their King.
And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
One small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
Then He looked down on earth, the world far below,
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe. 
Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let my power and presence re-enter this land!
May this country be delivered from the hands of fools.
I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
Then He and the children stood up without a sound. 
"Come now my children, let me show you around."
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT." 

~ Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, Pennsylvania 

~~~~

For the babies (forcibly) born this 12.12.12 day...



For all the babies who will be forced out into the world today, before they are ready...

"There are no birth dates more special than those our babies choose for themselves. Let's honor them with this." ~Danelle Frisbie, whose first son almost arrived 08-08-08, but was allowed to choose for himself when he was ready.
~~~~

Expecting? Here you will find a collection of quality reading on pregnancy and birth. Or visit, Instead of 'What to Expect When You're Expecting.'

~~~~

One Minute in Time: 12:12 12.12.12



We had such fun with this last year (at 11:11 on 11-11-11) that we have to do it again. Plus, it's the last chance we'll ever have!

If you'd like to participate in our One Minute in Time gallery, snap a picture of what you're doing, where you are, who you're with, or anything that is meaningful to you, at 12:12am or pm your local time today (12-12-12).  Send to DrMomma.org@gmail.com or upload to the peaceful parenting Facebook page. Be sure to include any notes if you wish to tell us what is happening in the picture you snap.

We look forward to pooling our experiences and taking a glimpse into the lives of peaceful parenting families everywhere on this day in history.

~~~~