March 1, 2012

Coconut Shortbread - (Free of: gluten, grains, casein, eggs, corn, sugar)





The doorbell rang and there she stood, a cute young girl from the neighborhood holding a bag in her hand.  At that point I knew she had some pretty important goods in her bag. You see, she was delivering Girl Scout cookies to my husband. I accepted the bag of cookies, but dared not peek inside the bag or lay my sugar-free eyes on them.  The memories of shortbread cookies and Thin Mints I ate pre-gluten-free are somehow etched in my mind.  When I was a Girl Scout I sold cookies, but truthfully, I probably bought more for myself to eat.  After all, a year was a long time to wait for those cookies....

I suppose my tactics of looking the other way has come in handy over the years in turning my health in the right direction.  I know myself and that means I know my weaknesses all very well.  Cookies and sugar were my weakness.  Notice I said "were," okay?  But like any reformed sugar addict I know I must be careful to avoid thoughts of cookies with sugar. So as I walk past the bakery case in the grocery store, or accept goodies at my front door,  I direct my eyes elsewhere.  Why tempt myself? 
 
Sugar is fuel to the fire.

A few months ago the test came back.  The test that meant I had high levels of yeast overgrowth still going on in my body...yes, after all these years of treatment and adhering to my sugar-free diet.  What a bummer for sure.  But then it was a good thing, at least, to have a medical doctor who believed my story and could test yeast and therefore guide me in a more rigorous treatment plan.

I started this stronger anti-yeast plan and complications temporarily put a stop to my treatment.  The toxins released from the yeast die-off were overwhelming my body.  I've been through this numerous times, but this time was different.   After consulting with my doctor, now I have a revised plan that will address the nutrient detoxification needs, as well as killing off the bad level of yeast overgrowth, restoring the good bacteria, and gut repair.

I'm a bit nervous, but I am gaining my confidence by increasing the detox nutrients and noting as I write this post that my brain is clearer already. 

Since diet is extremely important to good health and especially crucial when treating yeast overgrowth, I knew if I wanted anything that resembled a Girl Scout cookie, I would have to create my own cookie to be stevia-sweetened with no starches or grains. Clearly, my favorite Girl Scout cookie was the shortbread.  Plain shortbread.  I know, a bit boring, but that is what I liked.  I'm happy now that a simple shortbread was my favorite cookie, so now it's very easy to create something that satisfies the shortbread desires for this once upon a time Girl Scout...

Thank you to the Girl Scout Shortbread cookie for inspiring me to make this healthier cookie for myself and anyone else wanting to eat grain-free and sugar-free along with me. 

Coconut Shortbread


I use my electric mixer for this recipe.

In the mixing bowl add and mix well:
  • 1 tablespoon chia seed meal
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened organic applesauce

Then add the following ingredients and continue to mix together:
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons organic coconut oil or organic palm shortening
  • 20 drops stevia 
  • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
  • 3/4 cup organic coconut flour

Press out the shortbread dough with hands onto parchment paper into a 9" circle on your baking pan. I use my round pizza pan. 

Bake 350 degrees for 12 minutes.  

The coconut oil version browned slightly on the edges, but the palm shortening version did not.

Allow to cool a little before cutting and handle carefully to avoid breaking.  Refrigerating the shortbread will help it hold together but we like it hot even if it does crumble. 
My boys like to eat this "bread," as they call it, and slather butter all over the top. Sometimes jelly, too.   There are ways to make everyone happy in this household.

A few notes:

1. The 58% fiber content of coconut flour puts it at the top of the fiber chart compared to other flours.  Wheat bran, while known for high fiber, is much lower at 28% fiber.   This increase in fiber goes along with my new plan to combat yeast overgrowth. So one more reason that this "cookie" is a winner for me or anyone wanting to increase their dietary fiber.   Just remember with the high fiber content it is important to drink lots of fluids.  Be sure to have your favorite hot tea or glass of water with your shortbread cookie. 

Thank me in the morning.  :)

2.  Do you have an overgrowth of yeast? If you think you might have a yeast problem contributing to illness, Dr. Crook's questionnaire may you help to find out.

3.  FAQ - The benefits of coconut oil at Tropical Traditions.


More Girl Scout Cookie recipes on the web:
If shortbread isn't your thing, my friend, Jules Shepherd, compiled a list of Gluten-free Girl Scout Cookie recipes on the blogosphere here.




9 comments:

  1. Debbie,
    I feel your pain with the candida returning, mine did too!! It is like no matter what I do, it returns.

    I am in an all out fight to kill the parasites and hopefully if I get rid of them, the candida will follow after them.

    Your Cookie looks really good.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the look of this cookie too. I used to like shortbread cookies as well. My mom's weakness were those cookies that you buy in a blue tin can. Do you know those? I can't remember the name, but every year around the holidays she would buy some. I enjoyed them too. They had thumbprint cookies, shortbread cookies, etc.

    I like this simple recipe as well. We could almost have it, except for the chia. I wonder if I could leave the chia out?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Heather,
      Blue tin can...mmm...I'm not sure if I remember those. It might be possible to leave out the chia seed if you make small individual cookies. I will have to try it and see how it works. Thanks for your comment.

      Delete
    2. Heather,
      I tested the recipe without the chia seed meal yesterday and it worked fine unless you want to use this as "bread" as my boys like to do and add toppings. Then it did break more easily without the chia seed, but hey, if you can't have chia seed then this will work for you, too!

      Delete
  3. My Journey With Candida,
    Thanks for your comment. It means so much to have someone who understands. I hope you find what works for you very soon and you will be healthy once again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The NAC is working well for me so I am very happy about that. Thank you so much!! I just hope it continues.

      Delete
    2. I am really glad to hear the NAC is working for you, too! That makes my day!

      Delete
  4. This short bread sounds perfect!

    ReplyDelete

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