If I came back in another life as a cookie, I would definitely be a Ginger Molasses Cookie – spicy, sweet but cozy and comforting!

I get so excited when the holidays come around to enjoy all things ginger molasses, peppermint mocha and candy-cane! Knowing that the holidays are a time where we tend to over-indulge more than we're used to, I wanted to create a recipe for a sweet treat that is equally delicious and equally nourishing (that is the definition of #RealAssFood after all, and the reason why these cookies are called Real Ass Ginger Molasses Cookies!).

It's not because I'm a Holistic Nutritionist and believe that every morsel of food that we consume must be healthy. But because when we bring together delicious food that is also nourishing for our bodies, we are satiated through and through; our cravings diminish, our constant hunger or need for snacking goes away and we feel more connected [and less controlled] with food.

When consuming these Real Ass Ginger Molasses Cookies, I want to encourage you to find joy and PLEASURE in consuming them. A lot of people think receiving pleasure from food is a bit thing. You'll know this to be true if you've ever witnessed someone diving into a decadent piece of chocolate cake, followed by the words "Oh, that MUST be bad for me!" But why is it that pleasure must equate to being "bad"?

When we do this, we start restricting ourselves of certain foods and labeling foods as "good" and "bad" but naturally, when we label something as "bad" or "off limits", it makes us want it more and potentially binge or overeat that specific food. Whereas, if we simply give ourselves permission to eat various foods, the novelty goes away and we can be more in tune with our bodily signals and innate needs. Not to mention, when we satisfy our pleasure receptors by allowing ourselves to experience pleasure from food, we feel more satisfied as a result and don't feel the need to eat numerous cookies to feel satisfied or crave them later on.

I know this sounds crazy because if you would have told me this 5 years ago, I would've told you that you were off your rocker and obsessing with food was just the name of the game of life. But I can confidently tell you that these cookies lasted a week in my house (and no, not because they were bad - haha!) and I credit it to the fact that I consumed them on my own time when my body intuitively told me it wanted them. That's a stark difference from 5 years ago when I would go to bed dreaming about the ice-cream in my freezer only to wake up with the identical thought the next morning.

All that to say, I totally understand the holidays are a tough time for many and may even stir up some anxiety and worry from people. But if I can offer you any advice, it's to simply allow yourselves to enjoy and don't indulge because you can "detox it in the New Year". Enjoy and indulge as if its just any other day and you might be surprised to discover that you need far less to actually feel satisfied.

Side note, did I mention these Real Ass Ginger Molasses Cookies are Duncan-approved?!

I swear, if he could eat all the #RealAssFood, he would. I can hardly eat a meal without him jumping up on my lap and sniffing my plate – especially when it comes to leafy greens! Like mama, like son, right?! But in all seriousness, if anyone knows the scoop on whether human food (or certain kinds of it) is good/bad for cats, I would love to hear it. I think the answer is "no" but I know dogs can eat certain human foods, so I'm curious. Maybe I can't share these cookies with him, but perhaps some sweet potato and organic chicken? Or maybe I'll be a responsible cat mom and just stick to kibble, haha!

I hope you enjoy these super delicious Real Ass Ginger Molasses Cookies! They are gluten-free and dairy-free if you were concerned about having an allergen-friendly cookie to bring to cookie exchanges or holiday parties. Happy baking!

Real Ass Ginger Molasses Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup brown rice flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled
1/4 cup coconut sugar
3 tbsp molasses
1 egg
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ceylon cinnamon
1/2 tsp all spice
1/4 tsp sea salt
organic cane sugar for rolling

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Mix together the coconut oil, coconut sugar, molasses, egg and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients including coconut flour, brown rice flour, baking soda, baking powder, allspice, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, sea salt.
Pour the wet ingredients (#2) into the dry ingredients (#3)
Place about 1/4 cup of organic cane sugar in a bowl and set aside.
Roll dough into small 1-inch ball and flatten with your palm. Roll in organic cane sugar on both sides or just one side and set on cookie sheet.
Bake for 8-11 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cool on cooling rack for ~10 minutes.

What's your favourite holiday cookie?