Hi everyone! I’m really excited that there is so much interest in the 5 by the 5th Virtual Race series!
I’m looking into (optional) medals for those of you who are interested, and have a few more prizes to add to the list. My friend Maria also suggested a hashtag so we can follow each other’s progress. Let’s use #5bythe5th on Twitter and Instagram when sharing about the races and progress. Can’t wait to kick it off January 1st, and run with some of you in person!
It’s time for another What I ate Wednesday, with holiday recipes this month! I’m also linking up with Brittany at A Healthy Slice of Life for Munchkin Meals.
I’m not sure that cookies are the kind of healthy that Jenn had in mind, but this is our favorite gingerbread dough recipe that I tweaked a few years ago. It has no white flour or sugar, but I kept some butter as I believe it’s more natural and healthier (in moderation) than the margarine alternatives. So while it does not constitute a healthy meal, it’s a cookie you can feel pretty good about. (Sorry, gluten and dairy free friends, I didn’t experiment but I imagine rice flour and coconut oil would be decent substitutes).
Gingerbread People Cookies (print recipe)
- 4 Tbsp butter, softened
- 1/2 banana, mashed (or 2 additional Tbsp butter)
- 1/3 c. honey
- 1/3 c. molasses
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp grated lemon peel
- 3 c. whole wheat pastry flour
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- Icing and candy of choice for decorating
Blend the butter, banana, honey and molasses in a large bowl. Beat in the egg, vanilla and lemon peel. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining dry ingredients. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, until well combined. Divide dough into two balls and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Roll out each ball to 1/4 inch thickness and cut with cookie cutters. Place on greased baking sheets and continue to roll out scraps until all the dough is used. Bake for 7-9 minutes at 350. Cool completely and decorate.
We used a simple icing- 1/2 c. confectioners sugar with a tsp of milk. I spooned it into a ziploc bag, and trimmed one corner for a quick icing bag. For toppings, we used sprinkles, dried mixed berries and raisins, and (junk food splurge) holiday jellybelly beans. That was one mess that was totally worth it!
Here’s what else we ate yesterday:
[Breakfast: Oats with berries, mila, flaxseed and cinnamon for everyone; Lunch: Salad with beets, shredded carrot, cauliflower and egg with hummus and salsa for me and a Black Raspberry-yogurt smoothie; Hummus-carrot roll up for L with peas and unsweetened applesauce; Snack: Gingerbread cookie and a few toppings for each of us: Dinner: Polenta pizza with peppers and mushrooms, orange and another cookie for me as a late-night snack]
I haven’t talked about the nutrition school lately, but I am happily soaking it all up. The last week, we spent a lot of time talking about the healing power of love, purpose of intentions and the psychology of positive thinking, as well as nutrition info, counseling techniques and business coaching.
Here’s one practical tip I’m going to put into practice for the holidays in terms of limiting our sweet tooth:
Try filling up with naturally sweet vegetables early in the day so your body will feel like it’s sweet quota is met and will crave less sugar. Obvious vegetables include sweet potatoes, beets, winter squashes, corn and carrots. Less obvious is the fact that red radishes, daikon, green cabbage and burdock have a similar effect on the body by maintaining blood sugar levels and reducing sweet cravings. I’m going to give it a try!
Do you have trouble controlling your sweet tooth? What is your favorite holiday cookie?
Every holiday cookie is my favorite holiday cookie…and yes, I have trouble controlling my sweet tooth.
I just love the memories of baking and icing cookies as a kid. Such a special time. When I was a kid I didn’t care for them, but now I think it’s the nostalgia – Russian Tea Cakes. They were mom’s favorite and I think it was b/c they were her mom’s favorite.
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Sick not "Sick" Weekend
You always eat so healthy! I need you to plan out my meals for me, haha. I actually do pretty good. I am just a bad snacker and it isn’t even on bad stuff. I just always have to snack. Drives me crazy!!!!! I love gingerbread too, might have to try those cookies out this weekend if I have time.
Love the medal idea too!
Tasha @ Healthy Diva recently posted..Race recap: Jingle Bell Run
Oh my, I snack like crazy, too. I’ve tried fighting it, but realized that’s just how my body likes to eat so I try to go with it now and eat a slightly smaller dinner.
Laura recently posted..Gingerbread People Recipe and Curbing my Sweet tooth
I really love the sounds of that gingerbread recipe. My daughter would love to make cookies, so I’m going to commit to doing it with this recipe!
I also love the idea of filling up on sweeter vegetables early on in the day. I make a lot of smoothies w/ vegetables and beets is one of my favorite ingredients.
misszippy recently posted..What did work at CIM
What a great recipe!!! I love it! Have a super day!! Spa <3
That’s a really interesting tip! I try to crave my sweet tooth during the holidays by making sure I get plenty of protein at every meal. It keeps me satisfied so I’m not craving sweets (especially in the form of carby cookies).
Sarah @ Blonde Bostonian recently posted..WIAW #35: Advent Calendar {What I Ate Wednesday}
Protein is essential, too- great tip! It’s harder for me as a (mostly) vegetarian to get a lot in, but I definitely agree that protein also helps curb cravings.
Laura recently posted..Gingerbread People Recipe and Curbing my Sweet tooth
My kids love making sugar cookies, we will have to try ginger this year. I have a cookie cutter set for a nativity scene and I think I will try your recipe!
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..10 Holiday Gift Ideas for Runners
polenta pizza? whoa now that I need to try
Alex @ therunwithin recently posted..The More I See the Less I Know, the More I Like to Let it Go
You are SO crafty!! Love all the pictures too.
I have a huge sweet tooth and this week I’m not running so I don’t even want to think about how many extra calories I’ve consumed! I went to a cookie exchange Sunday night and brought home way too many goodies. We’ve been snacking on them ever since.
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I will add it to my holiday collection!
Tia @ Arkansas Runner Mom recently posted..Quanity vs. Quality: Trying to PR with Multiple Marathons
Those cookies look DELISH!!!!!!! I want to try them immediately. Adding that recipe to my Christmas party list for sure
Those gingerbread cookies look Yummy!! I need to find a good gluten and dairy free recipe , maybe I’ll try your suggestion
excited for the race series especially cause it gets me to race without having to go anywhere since that usually is my reason for not racing.
Kris recently posted..My First "Real" Spin Class
We made cookies over the weekend for the first time with the kids. We moved fast and made a huge mess but it was fun! I think they liked the cookie cutters better than anything.
I try to throw some veggies in my oatmeal like carrots, zucchini/squash, sweet potatoes, etc. I think it does help curb my sweet tooth a bit.
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..A Few Of My Favorite Things
Baking holiday cookies is a big tradition in our house and I can’t wait to do it this year. The boys get super involved with it all and they love it. These look great and we’ll have to try them. L looks like she was a great helper! That’s a great idea to fill up with sweet veggies earlier in the day. I will definitely try that. I have a hard time with sweets around the holidays. It’s like instinct or something.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Bikram Yoga for Surfers
I LOVE the gingerbread people – they came out great! You’re such a fun mommy
MassachusEATS recently posted..WIAW #42
Those lol so fun! I need to try to find a local shop that sells different flour
Kat recently posted..Baby, it WAS cold outside
I love making gingerbread cut-outs! I like to use cinnamon drops for the eyes because I like the taste combination.
Interesting idea on the sweet tooth strategy. I know that if have sugar early in the day (like a cookie with my coffee for breakfast!) that only makes my sweet tooth worse, but maybe sweet veggies would have the opposite effect. Would fruit be similar to veggies?
Coco recently posted..Easy Holiday Card Garland Craft
what a great idea for curbing the sweet tooth! and cute gingerbread peeps!!
also, i have a question about the jan 1 resolution run – perhaps i missed it, but is it just a run on January 1? or is it a special distance? i wasn’t totally sure what i’m supposed to do. i love the idea of the virtual race series – and i want to participate. i just want to make sure i do it right
thx!
runner26 recently posted..Why We Run
Sorry- I know it got a little confusing. Yes, the Resolution Run is a 5k on January 1st. For the 5 by the 5th, you can do the Resolution run OR do your normal 5k/ 5miler by the 5th of January. Hope that helps.
Laura recently posted..Gingerbread People Recipe and Curbing my Sweet tooth
Someone just bought me a bag of homemade gingerbread cookies! I can’t wait to give them a try!
Kierston recently posted..All Things Food.
Filling up on sweet veggies sounds like a great idea! Thanks for the reminder! I will try it. Your cookies look fantastic and so much fun! I would try them with Earth Balance margarine and some light spelt flour. It’s just great to get the kiddos in the kitchen, no matter what you make, right?
Joann @ Woman in Real Life recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday
I have never tried making gingerbread cookies. I will write your recipe down to try it out sometime! And what an interesting tip about the sweet veggies. I will try anything!!
Kelly recently posted..Denver’s Parade of Lights, kind of
Oh gosh I have a horrific sweet tooth! It’s all or nothing for me: once the sweet flood gates are open I have little to no control. Great cookies!
Marcia recently posted..Zensah Compression Sock Review
I have been obsessed with sweet potatoes altely! And those cookies look great, we are totally trying them this week!
Lindsay @ Fuel My Family recently posted..Holiday Fun and Fudge
We made gingerbread cookies the other day, too! I can’t stop eating them – I think I’m going to have to use the tip you posted to quell my sweet tooth, especially since I’m going to be baking many more cookies in the coming weeks!
Michelle recently posted..Twenty-Five Simpler Gifts – Days One Through Five
Those cookies are adorable! And sound YUMMY!
Don’t even ask me about my sweet tooth. lol I’m a recovering sugar addict who has fallen off the wagon again this holiday season!
Laura @ Close Families recently posted..Munchkin Meals: We Need More Protein!
Well it isn’t the holidays without gingerbread men, AND ginger’s an anti-inflammatory so it’s all good in my book! Those are some healthy lunches, impressive! I’m working on my sweet craving too. Hard to do it this time of year but I figure if I can do it now, the rest of the year will be easy!
Alison @ racingtales recently posted..Writing for Washingtonian
I looooove gingerbread cookies! Thanks for sharing!
Kierston recently posted..#RECIPEFRIDAY: Sweet Potato Protein Brownies (or bites)!
[...] gingerbread people recipe found in Mommy Run Fast’s post Gingerbread People and Curbing My Sweet Tooth is filled with delicious healthy ingredients. The post is filled with wonderful cookie creation [...]
I selected this post to be featured on the SITS Saturday Sharefest! http://www.thesitsgirls.com/community/saturday-sharefest-december-8th/
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Holiday Hop for Goodies- Christmas Wreath Pasta
I saw that! Thank you so much.
Laura recently posted..Marathon countdown, Menu Link up #11 + Mediterranean Snacks
[...] Our Whole Wheat Gingerbread People [...]
Yay for a hashtag!!
I’m getting excited about the series! I wish I could’ve tried these gingerbread cookies for the cookie exchange at work but I didn’t even get a chance to participate. There was no way I could’ve baked cookies with the house the way it was! Pinning for later use though. =)
Maria @ Lil Mys Ninja recently posted..Meal Planning {12/9 – 12/15}
[...] Whole Wheat Gingerbread People How fun are these? [...]
[...] Whole Wheat Gingerbread Cookies via Laura @ Mommy Run Fast [...]
Making these now with grandchildren. Working well so far as they are in the cutting out stage. Thanks for sharing this.