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Looking for a fun child-friendly recipe this holiday season? Look no further! These gingerbread cookies are a healthier alternative to traditional cookies as they do not contain refined white sugar and are great to make with the kids as they don’t require baking. The Health Benefits Ginger has many health benefits! One of these benefits is its ability to help with digestive concerns such as stomach pain, bloating, cramping and irritable bowel syndrome. [Tip: Ginger can be found in chewables which are great for nausea, morning sickness and motion sickness.] The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger also result in benefits for those with pain due to arthritis. Did you know that cinnamon comes from the bark of evergreen trees? This spice can be used to help those with Type 2 diabetes and it improves insulin sensitivity and decreases blood sugar levels following meals. Cinnamon can also benefit those experiencing cramps from menstrual or digestive concerns. [Tip: adding a teaspoon of cinnamon is a great addition to your morning smoothie or oatmeal.] Dates are a great substitute to refined sugar for any recipe! Dates do contain natural sugar, however they do not cause as fast of a spike in blood sugar as refined sugar does. The spike in blood sugar is known as the glycemic index of a food and is an important consideration when looking at the effects of sugar on the body. Raw dates are also a great source of fibre! [Tip: Dates can be made into a syrup for baking.] Blackstrap molasses is preferred to refined white sugar as it contains many vitamins and minerals which are important for good health. These include iron, calcium, manganese, potassium, magnesium and vitamin B6.   The Recipe: No Bake Gingerbread Cookies Ingredients:

• 8 dates (pitted)
• 1 cup cashews
• 1/3 cup pecans
• 1 tsp blackstrap molasses
• ½ tsp ginger (powdered)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp pumpkin spice
• ½ tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

• Blend all ingredients in a food processor for approximately 3 minutes (until the consistency of dough)
• Refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours (can leave overnight)
• Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a flat sheet
• Using a cookie cutter, cut out individual cookies
• Repeat this step with any leftover dough
• Decorate the gingerbread men with your favourite toppings!
  • Ideas: use blueberries for buttons, chocolate chips for the eyes and add in some winter snow with coconut!
• Store the cookies in the refrigerator until ready to eat

Enjoy! Dr. Stephanie Clegg, ND Abaton Integrative Medicine Recipe adapted from In it 4 the Long Run (http://init4thelongrun.com/2014/12/05/no-bake-gingerbread-cookies/)