The Blog

December 15, 2020

Healthy Gingerbread Cookies (Paleo Friendly)

Baking gingerbread cookies is a classic tradition during the holiday season for my family. And I bet it is for you, too. 

But if you’re trying to clear your skin, you may think that you have to avoid all desserts like the plague.

Wrong.

While you should avoid REFINED baked goods, you can still occasionally enjoy sweet treats that are made with healthier alternatives and no refined sugar like these gingerbread cookies. I always make sure my clients over in The Clear Skin Solution have lots of recipes like this one on their acne-clearing journey.

Why is Sugar Bad For My Skin?

Here’s a quick reminder on how refined sugar negatively affects your skin…

  • Contributes to intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
  • Promotes body-wide inflammation
  • Inflammation triggers breakouts
  • Spikes your insulin levels
  • Higher insulin levels results in more acne

Healthy Gut = Healthy Skin

Now that we’ve got refined sugar out of the picture, let’s talk about gut health.

If you’ve been following me for some time now, you probably know that if you want to heal your skin, you have to heal your gut.

A 2018 study found that altered gut microbiome is a common thread among acne sufferers. The microbiome in your digestive system is made of up trillions of microorganisms and their genetic material. They play a key role in many body processes including helping to digest food and absorb nutrients.

An imbalance in your microbiome can impact leaky gut, and when this happens, both local and body-wide inflammation occurs. Inflammation impairs the protective function of the skin and reduces it’s integrity. Along with oxidative stress, inflammation is a big cause of acne.

How Can Ginger Help My Skin?

Your skin loves ginger because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which combat the inflammation and oxidative stress that promotes acne.

Research also shows that ginger may support gut health because it can alter your gut microbiome.

Ginger has strong antimicrobial properties that can reduce the population of bad gut bacteria and increase beneficial gut bacteria.

Ginger contains exosome-like nanoparticles (ELNs), which are small extracellular vesicles with RNA. This can stimulate the expression of the cytokine IL-22 in colon mucus. IL-22 has been shown in other studies to promote tissue repair at the gut lining.

So let me say this again…the health of your gut = the health of your skin.

Now go kick off your holiday baking and try out these delicious cookies with that gut-healing ginger!

Healthy Gingerbread Cookies

Rich in gut-healing and skin-loving ginger, these gingerbread cookies are full of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 26 cookies
Author: Katie Stewart Wellness

Ingredients

  • 2 cups almond flour
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • 1 tbsp ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • Pinch nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar
  • 1/4 cup unpasteurized honey
  • 1/3 cup ghee melted (sub coconut oil)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Combine the almond flour, coconut flour, and spices in a bowl. Mix until well combined.
  • In a separate bowl, mix the coconut sugar, honey, ghee, egg and vanilla.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix well.
  • Place cookie batter on the lined baking sheet and layer a second piece of parchment paper overtop (to prevent rolling pin from sticking).
  • Use a rolling pin to flatten the cookie batter to about 1/2" thick.
  • Place in the freezer for 30-60 minutes to harden.
  • Use desired cookie cutters to make shapes.
  • Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until cookies are golden-brown.

Notes

Cookies will be soft when you take them out but will firm up to a chewy consistency when cooled.

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Let's get your skin finally cleared up.

Hint: acne is an external symptom of an internal issue. That's why years of prescriptions, medicated creams and fancy facials haven't gotten you the results you're after. Getting rid of acne is an inside job and we're here to help you do it.

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Testimonials

"After a few months, my skin improved significantly."

Now my skin is completely blemish-free, I don’t even have to wear makeup. I don’t even break out around my cycle. I really owe it to Katie for her knowledge, and guidance during this clear skin journey. Thank you, Katie!!

-Jenyne W.

"My scars and blemishes from the past continue to fade."

I'm grateful for the knowledge, strength and support to get current breakouts under control while my body continues to detox and heal.

Laurenne B.

"My skin is definitely consistently good now."

I feel like I didn't know why I would go through good spells before and then terrible breakouts. My energy levels and motivation have also returned. This is all so huge for me.

Sara P.

"I actually enjoy the look of my face with less make-up."

 I use to wear a lot of powder and concealer to cover the break out areas, as well as to hide my scars. Both my breakouts and scars are lessening in amount and redness!!

-Nicole B.

Before & Afters

Cupcake ipsum dolor sit. Amet icing candy sesame snaps toffee oat cake jelly I love macaroon.

I love sweet bonbon. Tiramisu I love apple pie. Lollipop macaroon pastry danish. Sweet roll jujubes gummies tootsie roll fruitcake I love liquorice. Wafer chocolate halvah. Liquorice apple pie lollipop sweet roll powder. Oat cake sesame snaps marshmallow cookie jujubes. Croissant pie I love croissant cookie.

client love

next

"

Cupcake ipsum dolor sit. Amet icing candy sesame snaps toffee oat cake jelly I love macaroon.

I love sweet bonbon. Tiramisu I love apple pie. Lollipop macaroon pastry danish. Sweet roll jujubes gummies tootsie roll fruitcake I love liquorice. Wafer chocolate halvah. Liquorice apple pie lollipop sweet roll powder. Oat cake sesame snaps marshmallow cookie jujubes. Croissant pie I love croissant cookie.

client love

next

"

Cupcake ipsum dolor sit. Amet icing candy sesame snaps toffee oat cake jelly I love macaroon.

I love sweet bonbon. Tiramisu I love apple pie. Lollipop macaroon pastry danish. Sweet roll jujubes gummies tootsie roll fruitcake I love liquorice. Wafer chocolate halvah. Liquorice apple pie lollipop sweet roll powder. Oat cake sesame snaps marshmallow cookie jujubes. Croissant pie I love croissant cookie.

client love

next

"