Holiday Cookie Blues

Kaelitr0n

I know it's a little bit early to be thinking about Christmas, but I'm feeling a little bit down today about the Christmas Cookie situation. I adore baking and usually make a huge production of putting together little cookie boxes of assorted delicious treats for my friends and co-workers. The baking process usually takes 2-3 days and the whole thing really makes me feel great. Part of the venture is tasting all of the yummy dough, fillings, icings, and finished cookies.

This will be my first Christmas since going Paleo and I'm feeling a little bit lost. Yeah, I could make cookies for everyone still, but I don't know that I could trust myself to not taste them at any point throughout the process.

I'm wondering, instead, what other crafty and inexpensive projects I can undertake for holiday gifts this year. Perhaps some natural, homemade bath/spa products? The whole cookie-batter-in-a-jar idea is always good, too--less temptation! Maybe some custom etched glasses (pint, wine, tumbler)... with the recipient's initials, maybe? So, I've several ideas, but would love to hear what you all are doing!

Even if I decide not to bake my gifts this year, I'm still going to be stared in the face by all those wonderfully flaky pastries, delicious sugar-bombs, and gluten-laced treats. How do you get through this time of year and stick to your Paleo-guns?

Akimajuktuq

Make a new tradition, great idea.

Or, bake Paleo goodies. Some of the Paleo treats that I have made are even more delicious that wheat baked goods. But the ingredients are more expensive and I still tend to eat them if they are around. So, I refrain except for granola bars for my child.

I think it's a mistake that a tradition around food has to include only unhealthy food. I also don't like that people have the view that Christmas is an excuse to pig out. I say compromise. Make some really great things that you enjoy but won't hurt your health and make some non edible gifts too.

Of course, my family are not big gift-givers so our Christmas is relaxing with just visiting with whatever family could make the journey that year. There are not many of us. A few of us use Christmas as an excuse to over-indulge but not all and no one forces food on the others. I love that.

sallydurkin

this year we are giving tea or hot chocolate with a decorated tea cup.... see pinterest for lots of ideas (decorate with permanent marker then bake it to keep it on)..... I will probley make one kind of cookies or cupcake to add to the tea..... I make up mini bags of tea or hot chocolate enough for a couple of cups or different flavors to try new flavors.

JeffinRaleigh

Since it is something that brings you (and others!) so much joy, would it be possible to go ahead and do the cookies, and set boundaries with yourself about how much you will allow yourself to partake? (I understand this is not wise for everyone, but if it is something you think you can swing in moderation, why not honor this tradition since it makes you happy?).

Kaelitr0n

this year we are giving tea or hot chocolate with a decorated tea cup.... see pinterest for lots of ideas (decorate with permanent marker then bake it to keep it on)..... I will probley make one kind of cookies or cupcake to add to the tea..... I make up mini bags of tea or hot chocolate enough for a couple of cups or different flavors to try new flavors.

This is a fabulous idea! A decorated mug of some sort with an assortment of those flavored Land o' Lakes hot cocoa packets. Loving this idea!

Since it is something that brings you (and others!) so much joy, would it be possible to go ahead and do the cookies, and set boundaries with yourself about how much you will allow yourself to partake? (I understand this is not wise for everyone, but if it is something you think you can swing in moderation, why not honor this tradition since it makes you happy?).

This is what I've been struggling with. Can I control myself in the face of all that wonderfulness? I really, really don't want to "gluten" myself, as I tend to have a pretty radical reaction to it, but is a Mexican Wedding Cake/Russian Tea Cookie worth it? Mmm, just maybe.

JeffinRaleigh

^^ Good luck with your decision!

TripleRadiance275

I'm in the same boat. I've decided to bake a scaled back version of what I would usually do and gift some homemade jerky and chutney and sauces along with the cookies instead of being so wheat/sugar crazy. I'm also making some Paleo truffles for a diabetic friend who tends to indulge in stuff she shouldn't eat anyway and giving good quality coffee beans to people who wouldn't be into my sauces.