I used to be the girl who never thought too much about how I ate. Not in the “YOLO, I eat anything I want” way — more in a neutral, naive way.
I knew protein was good, veggies were good, and I included them. Done.
Food was… food. A part of life, but not something I obsessed over.
And then I got pregnant. And suddenly my body wasn’t doing what bodies are supposed to do.
Prediabetes.
PCOS.
Hypothyroidism.
Blood sugar issues.
Chronic exhaustion.
All while growing a baby I already loved more than anything in the world.
I didn’t have the luxury anymore of “eh, it’s fine, food is food.” My metabolism, my hormones, and my energy all demanded more intention. And once I knew better, I wanted to do better — not just for me, but for our babies.
I wanted to raise them on foods with fewer ingredients… but still bursting with flavor. Foods that felt nostalgic and comforting, but didn’t send me or them into a 3 PM crash. Treats that tasted like childhood, but without the ingredient list that reads like a chemistry experiment.
And so began… my recipe era. (Also known as the baking equivalent of trial by fire. Yikes.)
I cannot tell you how many times I turned muffins into hockey pucks. Haha! Or how many cookies crumbled into dust. Or how many “healthy” brownies just didn't cut it.
But slowly — very slowly — I got better. And now creating nutrient-dense, gluten-free, nostalgic, holiday-worthy desserts is one of my favorite creative outlets.
So today, as a holiday gift, I want to share something special with you.
Here is my updated Holiday Cookie Collection — completely free.
Make a batch for your family, or bring them to a party, or eat one fresh out of the oven standing in your kitchen with the lights dim and the house quiet. No one's judging you.
And if you want even more holiday magic, I also created an entire gluten-free holiday dessert e-cookbook called Smart Cookie — 84 (!!) festive, nostalgic, healthified recipes that won’t wreck your energy, your gut, or your blood sugar.
Cookies, cakes, bars, brownies, muffins, gingerbread classics, no bake ideas, Christmas morning treats — it’s all in there. These are the recipes you'll see me making for my family if you follow me on social media. These are our go tos and a big part of our children's core memories, especially around the holidays.
It’s only $17, and it’s yours instantly here.
If you love the free cookie collection, Smart Cookie is like unlocking the whole treasure chest.
Wishing you a holiday season full of warm kitchens, good scents, soft sweaters, and treats that love you back.
Enjoy,
Tara
