Healthy Gunflint Cookies

For many in America Christmas season begins as soon as the turkey, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie have digested.
Often, families from around the globe are either grabbing their coats or their lap top for early Black Friday Specials way before they are even out of self-induced food coma.  I for one am content to stay far away from the big box stores and savor all of what Thanksgiving means to me.

Thanksgiving is important for many reasons, and I love celebrating it properly.  I know, the first week of December is over, but I just love everything about Thanksgiving.
It’s a holiday that is all about counting our blessings and sharing a meal with loved ones.  It is not about presents.  Thanksgiving is a time when friends and family are reunited.

This Thanksgiving we had family in town, we lounged, had good conversation, ate, and ate some more, and drank some ever so tasty adult beverages.  There were pies, both sweet and savory; Pheasant pot pie (our tradition thanks to my brother Aaron).  Stuffing.  Football on TV.
Thanksgiving is a time to make memories, to embrace traditions, both old and new, and to celebrate our families, those with us and far away.
The day after Thanksgiving is the day I start acknowledging Christmas exists.  Never before!  

Black Friday has never been my favorite shopping day……seriously, I am not into TV and my running shoes are never on sale on Black Friday.  In fact, the only time I do find them on sale is when my size is left from the previous model…SCORE!  So honestly, there is really nothing I want, OR NEED, on Black Friday.

You see, I am a bit old fashion and refuse to acknowledge anything Christmas related until Thanksgiving is over.  It’s how we grew up as kids…..we never pulled out the Christmas movies or decorations until after Thanksgiving.  Even now, I leave the Christmas CDs (or better yet, Christmas-themed playlist on i-tunes) alone.  There’s plenty of time for Silent Night, Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer, and Joy to the World.  But the day after Thanksgiving, I switch my radio station, and all you’ll hear if you’re my passenger is Christmas Music.  Alleluia!

I’ll say it again, I have some old fashionism in me.  (I think I just made up a new word?)  In any case,  I’m really not a Grinch whose heart needs to grow, nor Scrooge who needs to be led by a ghost to the side of good.  (My husband loves the Christmas Story).
We both love Christmas, it’s the best time of the year.  After all, I said “Yes” on Christmas day, so it’s truly the best day of the year❤️.  Yes it is!

But I also love Thanksgiving and all that it stands for.  There’s no Rudolph or Frosty in July, “Charlie Brown Christmas” is meant to be watched in December (and only in December).  And one more thing, I never ever over indulge on lights either…..there is such a thing as over decorating your house.  1 billion Christmas lights is not beautiful, it’s painful to look at.  Granted, my house is not exactly perfect and my husband and I say every year, “we’re going to get more lights after Christmas when they go on sale for next year!”   Well, we’ve been saying that now for 6 years.  This is the year.

But since were well into December (even though the weather feels more like Fall) and Thanksgiving is well behind us, let’s bake some awesomely tasting and healthy cookies anyone will LOVE!  Shall we?  These are seriously some of meanest and tastiest cookies ever.  Every time I have make these, I get rave reviews.  Anyone will love them.

And when I say anyone, I mean it: Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma, boss, co-worker, boy, girl, vegan, paleo, family pet, Grinch, Santa, Ghost of Christmas Past, etc.  ANYONE.  Besides, it’s kind of nice to have a healthier cookie amongst all the not so good for you ones right?

My brother says these are perfect pre and post run with a steaming hot cup of Jo!  Loaded with goodness.  In fact, if you’re planning on attending my open house again this year, you’ll get to taste these.

So I hope you try these and share them with all your loved ones this Christmas.

GUNFLINT COOKIES

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter or coconut oil
• 2 cups brown sugar or coconut sugar
• 2 eggs beaten
• 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 cups unbleached flour, sprouted spelt flour, or almond flour
• 1 teaspoon of soda
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 5 cups of gluten free granola
• 2 1/2 cups of chocolate chips  (I use Enjoy brand)
• 2 1/2 cups of organic raisins
• 2 1/2 cups of sprouted or crispy nuts

Directions 

1. Beat butter or coconut oil, sugar and eggs until fluffy
2. Add milk and vanilla and beat again
3. Mix dry ingredients.
4. Add your dry ingredients to the wet and mix throughly.
5. Bake at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes