“What’s this?”
I opened the cardboard Fed-Ex box wondering who in the world sent me a package?
I struggled to lower the box down on the kitchen counter trying not to break whatever was inside. Who knows? it could be fragile. Zoe ran to grab a pair of scissors. For the next 5 minutes, we worked on pulling apart the well-wrapped, tightly bound box, anxiously waiting to see what could be in this mysterious package.
As the last tape was cut, and the flaps of cardboard finally flipped open, my eyes widened. In the box : there was shampoo, toothpaste, a bag of raw pine nuts, coconut oil, organic dried apricots, and 2 bars of 75% dark chocolate.
After staring at the contents for a few seconds, we both looked up at each other and smiled.
I knew the first moment I saw it. It was from mum.
I’m not quite sure how she knew I had forgotten to buy toothpaste or that i was running low on shampoo as well. I chuckled a little when I saw the raw, organic apricots and unsalted pine nuts. Only a mother would know what her child would want. Once again I couldn’t help but smile at how well my mum knew me, or us. She knew exactly what I wanted -not candy, not Hong Kong snacks but my favorite healthy snacks.
I think there is something magical about mothers. It seems like they have a natural instinct to know and perceive needs of a child without words needing to be expressed. They have this natural talent of simply being giving, loving and patient even when its not always easy. And my mum, I reckon, has the best of all these abilities. It takes being away from home so long to recognize the sacrifices my mum has made for me and my siblings. Things I didn’t always appreciate – like the hugs & kisses; the fussing over the way I folded my clothes; the insistence of always having to put on sunscreen before I walked out of the door; the constant plea for me to sleep earlier; the frequent phone calls and messages – I seem to think back fondly now.
Sometimes at night as I lie on my bed, thinking about home, I would think about my mum. What was she doing? How was she feeling? It’s then I feel a sense of homesickness and even nostalgia for a hug from my mum. I imagine the nights when my mum would sit by my bedside massaging my head until I fell asleep. I also think of the days she came back home exhausted from a full day of work but always in hand bringing back something we had asked her to buy for us that day – clothes, school supplies, you name it anything.
My mum is a superwoman.
Although its not always easy to say, but all three of us girls (including Raena our youngest sister) just want to say “Happy Birthday Mum, you’re truly the best!”. Although Zoe and I are miles away, we think of you often.
My mum has always loved ginger. I’m not quite sure why exactly? Its really is quite spicy and pungent. But ginger is an amazing spice that generates this incredible warmth that runs through your veins and body. It’s extremely beneficial for your digestion and can calm an upset stomach. I remember all the times my mum would bring cups of ginger tea for me whenever my stomach would hurt. It really brings back a lot of memories and brings a comforting feeling – kind of like a mother’s hug. And so, we dedicate these deliciously easy, healthy gingernut cookies with coconut-cream frosting to my wonderful, talented, amazing, super-mum.
Happy Birthday! We love you and miss you!
- 2.5 cups Almond Flour
- 2.5 tbsp ground ginger (sounds like a lot, but it really is quite mild)
- ⅓ cup maple syrup/date syrup
- 1 tsp GF baking soda
- a pinch of salt
- Zest of one unwaxed lemon
- Icing:
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 can of full-fat coconut milk, chilled in the fridge overnight
- Zest of one lemon
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Add all of the ingredients into a bowl. Using your hands, knead to form a dough.
- Measure out 1 tbsp of dough and roll into a round ball.
- Arrange onto a lined baking tray. Using a jar or a cup (anything with a flat bottom) flatten each cookie.
- Bake for 8-9 minutes till crispy and a little brown. Set aside to cool thoroughly.
- In the meantime, place your mixing bowl into the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Icing: Scoop out the solid coconut cream from the top of the can of coconut milk.
- Add in the maple syrup and vanilla. Whisk the coconut cream till is slightly stiff.
- Dollop a small amount of the coconut cream icing on top of each ginger nut cookie. Garnish with a few small strips of lemon zest.
LOVE,
Zoe & Mia
(This post is featured on Women with Intention, Allergy Free Thursdays, The Shine Blog Hop, TGIT, 100 Happy Days #34, Full Plate Thursdays, Thursday Favorite Things, Traffic Jam Weekend Linky Party, Think Tank Thursdays, Weekend Potluck, Friday Frenzy Summer Break, That Friday Blog Hop, No Rules Weekend Party, Pretty Pietistic Party, Gluten Free Fridays, FoodieFriDIY, Fiesta Friday, Craft Frenzy Friday, Sugar and Spice, Our Mini Link Party, Saturday Sparks, Dare To Share, Sunday Fitness & Food, Mommy Moments, Thoughtful Thursdays, Titus 2 Tuesday)
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These cookies are so pretty and sound just delicious. I think you are lucky to have an amazing mother, but I’m sure she feels lucky to have such wonderful great girls!
Oh thank you Julie! That is so sweet of you!! Zoe and I really got lucky with that one!! Hope you get to try these cookies!
Hi Ladies! Stopping by to thank you for sharing this delicious recipe with my No Rules Weekend Blog Party!
I wanted to let you know that I’ve chosen this post as one of my Monday Special Features! If you’d like to take a look here’s the link: http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com/2016/06/monday-special-features-14.html
Have a great week 🙂
Thank you Paula!! We got to go on your blog to take a quick glance and what a wonderful intro you wrote! Zoe and I are sincerely so grateful! Thanks for featuring us, what a happy surprise! We will definitely be coming back every week!
Great looking cookie. Thanks for sharing with us at Fiesta Friday. Happy FF!
Thank you!! We look forward to fiesta friday this week again!! Have a great week!
Great tribute about your mum! These cookies look delicious!
Thank you Debbie!!!!!
What beautiful words about your mom! You’re so right, mothers always seem to know what their children need. That lovely care package she sent you is evidence of that! 🙂 Happy Birthday to your mom!!
Thanks Sarah! Mums are truly the greatest! I’ll let my mum know! She’ll definitely will appreciate that Happy Birthday wish!
What a lovely tribute to your mum. I enjoyed reading about your memories of her. The cookies look great too! I love ginger!
Aww Jenny! Thanks that really means a lot! And I agree anything with ginger is always top on my list!
We will just love your Cookies, they look awesome! Have a great weekend and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Thank You! These cookies are really super tasty! We look forward to Full Plate Thursdays every WEEK! Thanks for hosting! Have a great weekend too!
These look delicious!
Thanks Bethany!!!
What a lovely gesture from your mom and a lovely sentiment to make this for her. You’re absolutely right: moms have a great way to sense what their kids want and need right at the moment they need and want them. I’m convinced its one of their many secret super powers. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe and your story with us on #shinebloghop this week!
Thank You Maria! I really appreciate you hosting #shinebloghop! Thank you for giving Zoe and I the opportunity to share this! I look forward to next week and more great posts!