Recipe for the Perfect Gift

One of the biggest ironies is that often times we associate a great gift with how much money was spent, how big the gift is and if it’s a luxury or popular brand. We, as a society, have become consumed with keeping up with the next best thing and following the next big trend. The bigger and more expensive the gift, the better and anything less than that is an utter disappointment. Everyone is expected to give a gift and everyone is expected to receive a gift. During any holiday, the stores are packed, the pressure’s on, anxiety builds up and everyone’s stress levels are thru the roof. Money, time and effort are wasted figuring out and purchasing useless gifts.

Give from the heart

Don’t get me wrong: I love giving gifts, it’s one of the most rewarding experiences in life. However, it’s different when it’s unconditional: you give someone a gift because you know they need it or because it means something to them. Someone mentions they need something and if I can help or give that to them, I will. There are so many other means to show someone how much they mean to you and how much you appreciate what they do. Most of these ways do not involve materialistic gifts. You can cook a nice meal for someone, bake something they like, spend one-on-one time with your family members, take someone out to a nice restaurant, a movie or a walk in the park, plan a vacation for your family, babysit someone’s kids so that the parents can go out on a date or the mom can enjoy a pampering session. Create an experience for those you love, something that they will remember, not something material that is imposed by society’s rules. This is the kind of gift giving that truly comes from the heart and not the kind that money can buy. This is how you translate your appreciation into the perfect gift.

The Way to Say I Love You

For me, Valentine’s Day will be spent with those nearest and dearest to my heart: my husband, my son and my puppy. The puppy is a spoiled one (have you seen those puppy eyes?!?) and gets plenty of love and attention from all three of us. One of the things my son and husband enjoy is Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies, which is always a special treat and something that they both look forward to. I try to make these cookies for them whenever I have a little bit of downtime or whenever I feel they need a pick me up in their day. The cookies are not hard to make and don’t require extensive prep time. I always make a little more and save a batch of cookie dough in the freezer.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

We are what we eat and I like to think we live a little healthier nowadays. In our home we don’t use artificial sweeteners, white sugar, white bread and we try to limit the amounts of processed or packaged food. This is a healthier version of Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, from my family to yours.

You Will Need

1 cup almond flour (or you could use whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour)

1 cup coconut flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter, softened

½ cup honey

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups rolled oats

½ cup semisweet mini chocolate chips

½ cup toasted hazelnuts (optional)

½ cup coconut flakes (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and honey until light and fluffy. You can use a whisk, a spatula or a mixer. Add the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla. Gradually stir in the sifted ingredients. Add in the rolled oats, chocolate chips, hazelnuts and coconut flakes.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1-inch apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for about 5 minutes before removing.

Store leftover dough, if any, in the freezer. It can be preserved for up to 3 months.

Enjoy!