Holiday Cookies Without the Guilt

The holidays are a time of celebration, connection, and indulgence. Our typical holiday season revolves around travel, family gatherings and office parties. Every situation becomes a reason to give in to all the temptation surrounding us.

After we've stuffed our faces with all the holiday cheer, we punish ourselves by setting out on a New Year's goal to get healthy. Eat better, eat less, exercise more and try to erase our sins of Christmas Past.

Holiday Survival Guide

This phrase, has a new meaning this year. We will not be cramming into stores, attending multiple celebrations, dealing with family members we prefer to avoid. We have to rethink what the holidays mean and how we can still find joy in the spirit.

This year we've adjusted our lifestyles, previous habits and routines. Why not question the cycle of holiday excess into resolution extremes and if it's creating sustainable, happy results?

Do we really need to put the extra pressure on ourselves to take an all or nothing eating strategy once the clock strikes midnight on January 1st?

New Years Resolutions Don't Work

Extreme diets promote a sense of restriction that is unattainable in the long haul. A better approach, is to make small change that incorporates better habits into your daily life.

Let's change our mindset when it comes to holiday indulgence, making something that satisfies our cravings while nourishing our well-being.

These healthy holiday cookies are loaded with good for you ingredients and don't sacrifice on flavor. They make great holiday treat, rich with flavorful ingredients like maple syrup, cinnamon, coconut and almond butter. They taste naughty but you won't regret savoring a couple.

Ingredient Benefits

Whole grain oats, spelt - high in fiber and complex carbohydrates, fuels your body and help keeps you satisfied. Adds a nutty flavor and texture.

Coconut, almond butter, flax seeds - healthy fats that give you energy and are essential for your brain and hormone function, adds a new flavor dimension to your traditional cookie recipe.

Maple syrup, cinnamon, dark chocolate chips - you can't have a cookie without sweetness. These components work double duty in the recipe, providing that touch of sweetness to satisfy your craving while giving you a dose of antioxidants to support body.

Not to mention, these cookies are vegan and you can easily swap the almond butter for a nut-free option (sunflower butter or tahini). If you're looking to make them gluten free, make sure the oats are GF, and swap out the spelt flour for GF oat flour.

No major equipment or crazy ingredients required.

Simple, delicious and good for you. What more could you ask for this holiday?

Healthy Holiday Cookies

Makes 12 cookies

1/2 c maple syrup

1/4 c almond butter

2 T coconut oil

1/3 c ground flaxseeds

1 c quick oats

2/3 c spelt flour

1/2 t cinnamon

1 t baking powder

1/4 t sea salt

1/4 c unsweetened shredded coconut

1/4-1/2 c dark chocolate (depending on how naughty or nice you're trying to be)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees farenheight. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a small pot, heat maple syrup, almond butter and coconut oil on low and stir until well combined. No need to boil.

3. Remove from heat, and add flaxseed. Set aside.

4. In a separate bowl, add oats, flour, coconut, cinnamon, chocolate chips baking powder and salt. Mixed together.

5. Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until just combined.

6. Grab your baking sheet and spoon batter onto parchment, evenly spaced apart. Lightly flatten.

7. Bake in preheated oven for 13 minutes.

8. Let cool for 1 minute and transfer to cooling rack or a plate.

What are you waiting for??

Gather all your ingredients and go make these now! They make a delicious breakfast or snack, kids love them and you can store in the freezer for emergency situations.

Cheers to the holidays! Now it's time to celebrate the season, surviving 2020 and our health!