It’s that time of year again. Christmas.

Shortbreads, fruitcakes, gingerbreads… sugar. Lots and lots of it.

With Christmas parties underway and family gatherings approaching, it becomes difficult to avoid the glucose overload through the holiday season. So here are a few of my favorite healthy holiday recipes, that are sure to please everyone, but without the gluten, dairy, and refined sugar.

No Bake Macaroons

This recipe is a huge hit at all the gatherings and a personal favourite! This is a guilt-free treat in my house all year round, but since they look a bit ‘snowy’ they are exceptionally fitting as Christmas treats.

On low heat, combine:

• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/3 cup almond or organic natural peanut butter

Once melted, stir in:

• 1.5 tbsp cocoa
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup maple syrup

1. Fold in 2 cups of shaved unsweetened coconut  *optional: add 3/4 cup of dark chocolate chips
2. Spoon ingredients onto a baking pan that is lined with wax paper.
3. Refrigerate for about 30-45 minutes, or until they re-solidify. Best served cold, as they tend to melt at room temperature

Iced Ginger Cookies

As far as healthy Christmas treats go, nothing fits the season better than gingerbread. Enjoy these cozied up to the fireplace with loved ones.

You need:

• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1/4 cup almond flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 2 eggs, beaten.
• ⅓ cup butter or coconut oil, melted
• 2 1/2 tbsp organic molasses
• 1/2 cup maple syrup

Optional Icing:

• 2 tbsp regular butter or coconut oil
• 2 tbsp unsweetened almond or coconut milk
• 1/4 tsp lemon juice
• ⅛ tsp pure vanilla extract.
• 2 1/2 tsp honey

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and line baking sheets with parchment paper
2. Combine dry ingredient in one bowl, and wet ingredient in a second bowl, then combine both together
3. Form cookie dough into 24 balls and flatten with a fork, or use traditional cookie cutters and a rolling pin
4. Bake for 10 mins or until bottom of cookies are brown
5. Once cooled, apply icing on top and store in the fridge to cool icing
6. Serve and Enjoy 🙂

No Bake Mini Grinch Desserts

These are just too cute not to share, and make a great holiday snack for the kids. Once they are all combined, they look like little Grinch faces with a Santa hat! Made from fruit, a tiny marshmallow for fun.

Combine on a toothpick:

• Green grapes
• Banana slice (~ 1/4 inch thick)
• Strawberry (cut in half)
• Mini white marshmallows

BONUS! Simple tips to make some of your favorite holiday recipes a little more healthy

• Substitute white sugar for honey or maple syrup
• Natural, organic apple sauce or bananas can replace oil and butter in brownies or muffins
• Use nut flours instead of white, wheat based flours
• Black beans can replace flour in brownies
• Use coconut oil instead of corn oil or butter
• Always grab the unsweetened, natural nut butters off the shelf
• Sweetened things with stevia instead of sugar for a break on the calories