Birthdays. Birthdays are a mixed bag for me. Without doubt, I love celebrating my friends' and families' special days, I love baking their favorite desserts or treats, and I love purchasing or making gifts that reflect their unique roles in my life. But I've found that on my own birthday, I am often confronted with feelings of frustration and deep longing. Without fail, for the past five years, I've cried on my birthday, and those tears are usually not happy ones.
On Wednesday, my precious boss celebrated her birthday. Lisa is the owner of a creative, beautiful boutique in Colorado Springs that I'm lucky enough to work at. I can say without any hesitation that Lisa has one of the most giving, beautiful souls that I've ever encountered. She not only blesses my life with her kindness, but she offers the community in Colorado Springs an alternative to the mass consumption of low quality goods and services. She has created a space that values the unique beauty in each woman and celebrates the connection we have with each other and the world.
But on Tuesday, Lisa and I talked about birthdays. We shared our particular distaste for our own personal days, and we pondered why we felt the way we did. I think that for me, a birthday represents a year past, a year that may or may not have turned out the way I planned. Either way, that year is gone, and as a dreamer, as a woman who always longs for more, I think I find myself regretting missed opportunities. But as I was reflecting on this attitude, I was reminded of a quote by Margaret Fuller, an early activist for the Women's Movement. Fuller wrote that, "Very early, I knew the only object in life was to grow". And how true that statement is. From the time we are born, our bodies begin a process of growth and change that continues with or without our approval. As we reach the age of consciousness, we begin to see and hopefully encourage an inner growth as well.
So although a year may pass, and I may look back with some regrets, I know that I am growing, that I am changing, and I hope that this will bring me encouragement and joy.
But unto Lisa's birthday celebration. Lisa is gluten intolerant, a condition that more and more Americans are being diagnosed with every year. Just last night, I was talking to a sweet friend who reads my blog, and she asked me if I could make a few gluten free recipes because she's also has difficulty processing gluten. I'm hoping to experiment with gluten-free recipes more, and if anyone has suggestions or requests, please let me know!
These cookies are beyond simple, taste delicious, and can be enjoyed by all. I would highly recommend downing these with a cool, milky drink, as they are very rich. A cup of soy milk or almond milk would be a perfect accompaniment. You likely have all the ingredients for this recipe in your pantry, which makes this a snap to throw together. I'm hoping to experiment with different gluten free flours (rice, soy, garbanzo) over the next few weeks, but this recipe, in its simplicity, should offer everyone something to make for a gluten-free friend.
On Wednesday, my precious boss celebrated her birthday. Lisa is the owner of a creative, beautiful boutique in Colorado Springs that I'm lucky enough to work at. I can say without any hesitation that Lisa has one of the most giving, beautiful souls that I've ever encountered. She not only blesses my life with her kindness, but she offers the community in Colorado Springs an alternative to the mass consumption of low quality goods and services. She has created a space that values the unique beauty in each woman and celebrates the connection we have with each other and the world.
But on Tuesday, Lisa and I talked about birthdays. We shared our particular distaste for our own personal days, and we pondered why we felt the way we did. I think that for me, a birthday represents a year past, a year that may or may not have turned out the way I planned. Either way, that year is gone, and as a dreamer, as a woman who always longs for more, I think I find myself regretting missed opportunities. But as I was reflecting on this attitude, I was reminded of a quote by Margaret Fuller, an early activist for the Women's Movement. Fuller wrote that, "Very early, I knew the only object in life was to grow". And how true that statement is. From the time we are born, our bodies begin a process of growth and change that continues with or without our approval. As we reach the age of consciousness, we begin to see and hopefully encourage an inner growth as well.
So although a year may pass, and I may look back with some regrets, I know that I am growing, that I am changing, and I hope that this will bring me encouragement and joy.
But unto Lisa's birthday celebration. Lisa is gluten intolerant, a condition that more and more Americans are being diagnosed with every year. Just last night, I was talking to a sweet friend who reads my blog, and she asked me if I could make a few gluten free recipes because she's also has difficulty processing gluten. I'm hoping to experiment with gluten-free recipes more, and if anyone has suggestions or requests, please let me know!
These cookies are beyond simple, taste delicious, and can be enjoyed by all. I would highly recommend downing these with a cool, milky drink, as they are very rich. A cup of soy milk or almond milk would be a perfect accompaniment. You likely have all the ingredients for this recipe in your pantry, which makes this a snap to throw together. I'm hoping to experiment with different gluten free flours (rice, soy, garbanzo) over the next few weeks, but this recipe, in its simplicity, should offer everyone something to make for a gluten-free friend.
Lisa's beautiful store!
Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
1 Cup Natural Peanut Butter (I used Adam's Creamy)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and butter a cookie sheet. Using a stand mixer, combine peanut butter and sugar and mix until creamy (about 2 minutes).
2. Add in your egg and mix until combined. Add in vanilla extract and baking soda. Stir well.
3. Taking walnut size pieces, place dough on cookie sheet. Use a sugar coated fork to flatten cookie balls and to impart a lovely crisscross pattern.
4. Bake for ten minutes and allow to cool for 1-2 minutes on cookie sheet before removing to a wire rack.
1 Cup Natural Peanut Butter (I used Adam's Creamy)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and butter a cookie sheet. Using a stand mixer, combine peanut butter and sugar and mix until creamy (about 2 minutes).
2. Add in your egg and mix until combined. Add in vanilla extract and baking soda. Stir well.
3. Taking walnut size pieces, place dough on cookie sheet. Use a sugar coated fork to flatten cookie balls and to impart a lovely crisscross pattern.
4. Bake for ten minutes and allow to cool for 1-2 minutes on cookie sheet before removing to a wire rack.
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