GINGERBREAD EVERYTHING
GINGERBREAD EVERYTHING
As promised I have a for gingerbread recipe for you. Without question the holidays are my favourite time of the year with gingerbread being my number one love. I almost always eat more than I make! The heavenly spices of gingerbread fold softly together to create a holiday deliciousness like no other. This originally Armenian delicacy is infused with the intense, healing, fragrant spices of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and gloves, and as usual I am obsessed with finding new, creative, healthy plant based options to enjoy this sweet yet spicy delightful decadence.
For most of us the holidays are a magical love filled, joyful holiday. That said with all the togetherness, Christmas preparations and celebrations, balance and connection may become elusive. In my efforts to self regulate and maintain a balanced, healthy, energized state my morning mantra has become “Healing, Love, Kindness and Patience”. My promise is to not only extend these virtues to others but to gift them to myself as well. You will be proud of me as I have made the conscious decision this year to spend extra quality time with my yoga matt, my husband and myself rather than engage in my usual “everything has to be perfect state” in preparing for the holidays. I have learned to embrace, quite honestly the hard way, that balance is a crucial stress management tool in my wellness journey which is always deserving of much care and consideration. Not something I have always been good at!
Of course I will be taking part in the baking of our traditional vegan, gluten free gingerbread cookies this year. I think though, that I will wait for my daughters to come home. Creating an opportunity to enjoy more balance, more love and connection. Likely, we will be dancing around in the kitchen quite possible in our pajamas, and someone is for sure sitting on the counter indulging in the cookie dough long before the cookies come out of the oven. I honestly cannot think of a lovelier way to enjoy family traditions.
A European delicacy, Gingerbread was thought to have medicinal properties in easing both digestion and inflammation by both the Europeans and Swiss. The healing spices found in Gingerbread are abundant in nutrient dense minerals that are essential for both our mental and physical health. In addition to their digestion soothing properties these wonderful spices assist in energy production, nerve function, blood sugar regulation, immune system function, and support our bone health. For this smoothie recipe I have added the healing benefits of Chocolate in its raw form of magnesium rich Cacao for two reasons. One, I love Chocolate and secondly my husband does not necessarily share my love of gingerbread, however with addition of Chocolate he was more that happy to perform the much needed taste testing.
I found the following gingerbread spice mix @ www.wonkywonderful.com
GINGERBREAD SPICE MIX
2 Tbsp Ginger
2 Tbsp Cinnamon
1 Tbsp Gloves
1/2 Tsp Ground Nutmeg
GINGERBREAD CHOCOLATE SMOOTHIE Serves 1
1 Cup of Coconut Water or Plant Based Mylk
1 Washed & Chopped Pear
1 Tbsp of Vanilla Plant Based Protein Powder
1 Tbsp Cacao
1 Tbsp Coconut Oil or Flax Seed Oil
1-2 Tbsp Gingerbread Spice Mix ( I like mine extra spicy)
1 Tbsp Ground Flax Seed
2 Tsp Vanilla
OPTIONAL ADD INS
1 Tbsp Pumpkin Seeds
1 Tbsp Cacao Nibs
All that is left to do is blend together and enjoy!
Wishing you and loved ones a holiday filled with much love and happiness!