Soft Vegan Gingerbread Cookies + #CookieSwapParty 2017

Until recently I had forgotten how much fun cookie decorating can be. A group of friends and I were getting together and the friend who was hosting insisted on preparing some cookie decorations so that we could all decorate cookies. The rest of us were indifferent to the cookie decorating idea, but the other friend was SUPER into the idea so we went along with it.  So when we all arrived to her house she had various frosting colors, sprinkles, and cookies prepared for us to decorate and despite not feeling super into the holiday spirit we began to cover the cookies in frosting. One by one we picked between the festive red, green, or white frosting and sprinkles and one by one I began to feel more festive. I began to feel more Christmas-y.  We all started to laugh a little louder and somehow care a little deeper. Between the perfectly lit Christmas tree and the feeling of togetherness that a simple activity brought, I began to feel the magic that comes from Christmas. 

Cookies and Christmas go hand-in-hand. There's something about the magic of giving and the magic of baking that work together so seamlessly.  One of my favorite Christmas cookies of all time is a gingerbread cookie. Not a crunchy, gingerbread type cookies, but the soft, chewy, melt-in-your-mouth kind. I love the spiciness that comes from a gingerbread cookie and that they can be made less sweet than most cookies. When one of my blogger friends, Madeline, asked me to participate in her #CookieSwapParty this year, I was thrilled and knew I had to find a soft gingerbread cookie recipe that didn't use an dairy. It ultimately ended up turning into a vegan cookie that can accommodate even more dietary preferences, which is super awesome! I used coconut butter to keep the cookies soft and moist and maple syrup to keep with a natural sweetener. 

I love Madeline's idea to spread some virtual cookies and virtual love around the web during this Holiday season and I am thrilled to be apart of it. Check out the recipe and the rest of the cookies that the other lovely ladies have to offer below. 

Soft Vegan Gingerbread Cookies 

• 1 1/2 cups spelt flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons molasses
• 1/2 cup liquid melted coconut butter 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees and line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.

2. Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, ginger and salt to a large bowl. Whisk together. 

3. Add the syrup, molasses and the liquid coconut butter last. Give the liquids a quick stir and then mix all the batter together for about 30 seconds until it all comes together into a sticky, thick batter.

4. Use an inch and a half cookie scooper to measure out the dough and then form the batter into balls with your hands and place on the pan about 3 inches apart from each other.  Using the bottom of a glass or measuring cup, flatted the balls into rounds that are about 1/4" thick.

5. Bake for 8 minutes.  Remove and cool 10 minutes on the pan. 

Note: It's super important that the coconut butter is measured as a melted, liquid consistency. I put it in the microwave and heat it for 20-30 second increments, stirring between cook times, until it is completely melted. Be careful not to overcook it as it will burn. Optional: Sprinkle with coconut sugar before baking. 

#CookieSwapParty 2017

Madeline Hall - Snowflake Chocolate Sugar Cookies || Katherine in Brooklyn - Cranberry Jam Linzer Cookies || lyndsey eden - Orange Zest and Almond Chocolate Shortbread Cookies || Conscious Eating with Rui - Snickerdoodle Mexican Wedding Cookies || Nommable - Nutmeg Nutella Rice Krispies || The Foodwright - Peanut Butter Cup Thumbprints || Wood and Spoon - Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies || Pumpkin & Peanut Butter - Gluten Free Gingerdoodle Blondies || Seek Satiation - Cinnamon Chocolate Dipped Shortbread || This Brown Kitchen - Chocolate Holiday Nankhatai Cookies || Bappy Girl - Strawberry and Blueberry Meringues || The Table of Contents - Sesame Almond Ginger Lace Cookies || Gracepcheng - Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Health + Wellness Gift Guide

I have to confess to having bought zero gifts for Christmas yet. When November rolls around I always swear that this will be the year that I nail down everyone's gifts by Black Friday, but inevitably the times comes and goes and the week before Christmas I'm using Amazon prime like it's a lifeline. So if you're still in the market for some gifts, I've got you covered. 

Getting and giving gifts is so much fun! Sometimes after the holidays settle down though, we realize that some of the gifts we gave (and received) aren't as useful or necessary as they seemed. They end up tucked inside a closet to inevitably thrown out. To hopefully move one step closer to stopping this unnecessary cycle I've rounded up a list of 20 health and wellness related gifts. I absolutely LOVE  practical gifts and I especially love practical gifts that enhance my health and wellness! This list includes a wide range of prices, but all are under $70. I hope that you find something to lets that loved one know that you care and that you want them to be their best selves in 2018. 

One

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

Six

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN 

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FIFTEEN

FOURTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

NINETEEN

EIGHTEEN

TWENTY

1. Spread the Love tote - $18 - So adorable and super practical considering Chicago charges a bag tax at all stores!

2. Nutrition Nerd Sweatshirt - $48 - Wear it loud and proud!

3. Black Girlfriend High Rise 3/4 length legging - $58 - Most comfortable leggings. Reasonably priced and ethically produced. 

4. Good Food Good Vibes Tank - $32 - One of my favorite tanks! 

5. Nike Run All Day Running Shoes - $70 - Favorite running shoes! 

6. Lush Thunderstorm bath bomb - $7 - What says "I love you" better than a bath bomb paired with a candle or fuzzy socks perhaps? 

7. Lush Hottie massage bar - $13 - Pair with some tea and a mug. 

8. IKEA mini cactus - $4 each - Find a cute little pot or two and fill them with these cute cacti. 

9. IKEA aloe vera - $5 - Plants are such a great way to brighten a space and make an inexpensive gift! 

10. The Love and Lemons Cookbook - $23 - There are lots of vegan and vegetarian recipes in this book. It's so great, it made it into my gift guide two years in a row. I use this book all the time! 

11. The Nutrition Stripped Cookbook - $13 - Another one of my favorites that I use all the time! The vegan caramel recipe I am obsessed with is found in there. 

12. Minimalist Baker's Everyday Cooking Cookbook - $20 - I actually don't own this one yet, but I LOVE her blog and can only imagine that her cookbook is equally as amazing. 

13. Yoga mat with carrying strap - $11 - For the person you think could use a little extra relaxation in their life. 

14. Pharmedoc Foam Roller - $20 - For the person who works out like a maniac. This foam roller is amazing! It's seriously one of my favorite things to do after a workout! 

15. Matcha Mint Maker - $35 - Because matcha is kind of hard to make on the go otherwise. 

16. POP Insulated Water Bottle - $18 - You can never have too many water bottles! Especially if they keep water cold for 24 hours. 

17. Essential Oil Diffuser - $16 - I have two of these and I LOVE them! I almost always have cedarwood oil in the bedroom and then lemon or orange on my desk. 

18. Herschel Hip Pack - $30 - This is the bag I put my phone, keys, credit card, and running fuel in during marathon training. So handy! 

19. Himilayan Salt Wall Lamp - $12 - I think these are super cute! Whether or not they work as magically as they  claim, I have no idea, but they're adorable. 

20. Lodge Cast Iron Skillet - $15 - One of my favorite pans! I use mine all the time. I can cook anything in it and even bake things in the oven on it. Such a handy pan for a really reasonable price! 

Magic Green Smoothie

When I was in high school I was overweight. Not like a muscular, healthy, but just like according-to-medical-BMI-charts overweight. Like actually overweight and super unhealthy. I lived for sugar and longed for salt basically all the time. It wasn't until my second year of college that I took an interest in health. I lost about 40 pounds and became more conscious of the amount that I was eating as well as the quality of the things I was eating. I was more active and very obviously healthier.

Fast forward to three years ago, just before Josiah and I got married. Although I was eating very healthy and exercising regularly I had developed an equally unhealthy relationship with food. Food became almost "evil" and exercise became a means of punishment when I'd overindulged. My emotional state depended solely on whether or not I had a "good" eating day or a bad. It became so bad that I would get anxious over any food-related situation that I felt like I couldn't control. There were many times where Josiah and I would go out to eat and I would end up spiraling downward emotionally, because I felt so torn between getting a salad or a burger. If I went for the burger and fries I could barely enjoy the experience because I was so worried about the amount of calories I was consuming.  

The exact severity of this unhealthy relationship came to light during a visit to Firehouse Subs. The amount of anxiety I had walking into that restaurant is difficult to convey and admittedly now absurd. We walked into the restaurant and I stared blankly at the menu. Josiah asked me if I knew what I wanted and I couldn't hardly get words out of my mouth. I was overwhelmed. I couldn't make a decision. We walked out without ordering anything. I cried a lot. I don't remember where we ended up going instead, if anywhere, but those feelings remain imprinted on my mind. I had let food control my life and I didn't know how to not do that. 

I still struggle with this mind set and I have to be very conscious to stop myself from letting it compromise my ability to enjoy experiences. I won't try to pretend that I don't have days where I let the mirror or scale control me, but it's becoming less and less. I can get on the scale and see a number and yeah, maybe get upset about it, but it doesn't ruin my whole day. What helps me be okay with this is knowing that whether I stay the same weight or not, I'm striving towards being healthier. If you have body images issues, I get it. I've been there. Some days I'm STILL there. It's a constant struggle to love our bodies, but taking steps to care for your body make it much easier to love! Whether that's going for a walk, taking a bath, or fueling your body with the best food around, I promise it will help you get at least one step closer to cherishing the beautiful body that you've been given. 

This green smoothie recipe is the perfect everyday fuel for your body and it has been a staple for me lately. It's full of so many nutrients and does so much good for your body that you can't help but feel like you deserve a gold star every time you drink it. The lemon is probably the key in making this not taste like you're drinking a salad. The avocado adds some healthy fat and the banana adds the perfect amount of sweetness. The ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric add some anti-inflammatory properties and who doesn't want that? I like to make a batch of this up, drink half of it and then drink the other half either later in the day or the following day. I'm constantly experimenting with different variations of the recipe based on what I have on hand, but this is the base that I start with.  

Magic Green smoothie

Makes 2 servings

• 3 cups spinach
• 3 TBS lemon juice
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp turmeric
• handful of cilantro
• 1 frozen banana
• half an avocado
• 1/2 cucumber
• 2 cup filtered water

Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until combined. 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Muffins

Because it's November and by now you've probably heard enough people pledge their loyalty to Fall as the most superior of season, I will avoid a long soliloquy about how I love oversized sweaters and would die for crisp temperatures and bonfires year round. But just know that I do and I most definitely would. Instead, I'll talk about traditions. 

Growing up it was a running joke that our family's tradition was having no traditions. I don't know if it's because my family likes to reorganize plans two hours before they're supposed to be carried out making it nearly impossible to actually uphold any sort of regular event or that we just didn't have any sort of sentimental value surrounding the idea of having them. This lack of emphasis on traditions might sound kind of sad to those of you that have super awesome traditions, but in our house the absence of traditions left so much room for spontaneity. One of my most favorite Christmas memories was the year we spent Christmas day at an indoor water park. The lines were short and the gift of being together and experiencing something became the present we actually cared about. 

Josiah on the other hand comes from a family that places a much stronger emphasis on traditions. When we first got married it was hard for me to understand the value that he placed on cutting a tree down the day after Thanksgiving or making donuts on Christmas Day. Don't get me wrong, I thought those things were cool (I mean, hello, donuts!), but it wasn't until recently that I fully understood how important it was to him and could relate to the importance he placed on them. 

Although Josiah and I have yet to create any of our own traditions together surrounding the Holidays, one tradition that we have started is a yearly Fall drive to see the changing colors. Each year our trip looks a little bit different. The first year we did it we lived in Illinois and so we headed up to Wisconsin for a day of exploring. Our second year we were living in Colorado so we made a trip to Steamboat Springs, CO where we spent the weekend and enjoyed some great brunching and browsing in the little shops. This year we're in Chicago so we took a drive up to Lake Geneva, WI. We spent the day walking around the lake with Henry and then grabbed brunch at a cute little place that had a dog-friendly patio. Because of the business of wedding season we almost skipped our trip this year, but the thought of forgoing this short-lived, but meaningful tradition made both of us far too sad. Despite our crazy schedule, we packed up the car and ended up enjoying a full day together and I am so, so glad. I now see why Josiah thinks so fondly of even the simple things that his family does year after year. Going forward I hope that no matter how hectic October becomes, we continue to prioritize that time together and are always able to maintain this simple tradition. 

Whether it's a yearly thing or just a this-year thing I encourage you to bake these muffins, grab the people you love, pack up the car, and drive (through your neighborhood or across the state) to take in some Fall views.  The sweetness of the chocolate combined with the comfort of pumpkin make these muffins the perfect treat for Fall. There are few combinations that trump chocolate and peanut butter, but chocolate and pumpkin comes pretty dang close. They're insanely moist and for sure going to become your favorite Fall road tripping snack. 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Muffins

• 2 cups oatmeal 
• A pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1 cup pumpkin or butternut squash
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 3/4 cup coconut yogurt 
• 2 TBS coconut oil, melted
• 2 eggs 
• 8 oz of Enjoy Life dairy-free chocolate chips 

Preheat oven to 375. Combine the oatmeal, salt, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon in one bowl and set aside. Next, combine the pumpkin or butternut squash, maple syrup, coconut yogurt, coconut oil, and eggs in another bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until they are all mixed together. Stir in the chocolate chips. Portion out into a greased muffin tin. Bake at 375 for about 16 minutes. Cool and serve. 

And here is Henry begging for some of the muffins.