spices

All I have been wanting to eat lately is food that tastes like Christmas…anyone else?! Spices like cinnamon, clove, ginger, and foods like citrus fruits, pomegranates, and cranberries are lighting up my life. Homemade gingerbread, however, is brand new to me…until now!

Growing up, we always had gingerbread in the house this time of year, but I don’t even know what was in it. After looking at several gingerbread recipes online, I decided to create my own version with more spices and less sugar. Just one taste of this healthy homemade gingerbread and I know it will be a new holiday tradition. I love it THAT much and you will too!

The best part is that this gingerbread contains no granular sugar, just honey, maple syrup, and molasses. (To be honest, I don’t even think I own sugar. There’s just no need for it when there are delicious natural substitutions out there.)

It’s also dairy free and can be made gluten-free as well! Let’s get started, shall we?!

One Healthy Gingerbread Recipe:

Dry Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups healthy flour of choice (I used spelt)
2 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt

Wet Ingredients:

1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 cup unsweetened apple sauce
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 tbsp grated fresh ginger

Toppings:

Pomegranate seeds
canned full fat coconut milk
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix dry ingredients, mix wet ingredients, then mix together. You don’t need a fancy mixer, a regular old fork will do. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray and fill the pan with batter, leaving a few inches at the top (this stuff rises!) Bake for 45-50 minutes.

To make the frosting, skim the top half of the coconut milk from the can (be sure not to shake it as to only get the thick paste on top). Add in honey, (or maple syrup if you prefer) vanilla extract, and whip it together. This will make a thicker frosting. If you prefer a thinner frosting to drizzle on the bread instead, you can water it down with the thinner coconut milk from the can (or a little bit of water) use 1-2 tablespoons at a time until you get the right consistency.

Once the bread is cool, frost and top with pomegranate seeds, which are equally nutritious, delicious, and festive. Feel free to get creative and try different toppings, like chopped nuts, red and green sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or cinnamon. Make one loaf to have at home and others as gifts. The perfect Christmas breakfast or healthy dessert this time of year!

One Healthy Breakdown: Happy holidays and happy baking!

*Caroline O’Neill is a year round Hamptons resident and health and wellness lifestyle blogger of Bloom & Spark with a passion for nutrition, yoga, food, spirituality and personal development.

Roasting veggies is often on my Sunday or Monday agenda. It’s a great way to have veggies ready for the week and makes dinners a breeze. I mix it up and use whatever I have; broccoli, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, asparagus, potatoes, eggplant, kale, brussels sprouts, onions, cauliflower, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, carrots, beets, peppers, garlic…anything goes when roastin’ up veggies.

Put ’em all together, or separate, (your call) on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Add your favorite herbs and spices and spritz with your choice of oil, vinegar, lemon juice, etc.

My go-to’s:

1. Drizzle with olive or coconut oil, fresh lemon juice, and a little vinegar (apple cider or balsamic) add garlic, (minced, whole cloves, or garlic powder) pepper, and a light sprinkle of sea salt. I like to use this combo when roasting any green veggie, summer squash, broccoli slaw, etc.

2. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with rosemary, oregano, basil, and a little sea salt and pepper. I use this for eggplant, squash, tomatoes, etc.

Cook at 400 degrees for about 15-45 minutes depending on the vegetable, check to see when veggies start to brown and broil for a few minutes at the end if you like ’em crispy. Use veggies as a side, a main dish with protein or a grain, make a veggie salad, or keep on hand for healthy munchies throughout the day. It’s limitless. It’s simple. It’s easy, healthy, and yummy.

One Healthy Breakdown: roastin’ up lots of veggies will ensure you’re stocked up, which makes choosing veggies over french fries an easy YES!