I’m going into my ninth year living gluten free and dairy free. In that time I have also had phases of going egg free, corn free, night shade free, etc…I regularly practice how to be free.

One thing I still experience is the ‘loneliness’ of being one of the people at the party with dietary restrictions. Imagine being a foodie surrounded by mountains of food that you can really just look at and watch other people eat while they may or may not comment on how and what you are eating compared to everybody else. Then, every gracious host will try to make something that will suit your diet, getting it right 7/10 times.

I’ve had more than one occasion where somebody I adore will specifically make for me a gluten free dessert but that still has dairy in it. Should I eat it even though it will make me feel slightly cruddy in the short term and very cruddy in the long term? Saying no to food kindness is extremely hard and socially awkward for me still after all this time.

When the holiday cookie season rolls around I would like to be treated, like everybody else, to a hot, chewy, crispy, sweet cookie too. I just request that cookie to not be rough on my digestive system and body.

Meet the Little Hemp Cookie that you can likely eat if you don’t eat gluten, dairy, or eggs.

Like a great little black dress, the little hemp cookie can be ready to go within minutes and can also be dressed up for special occasions. For its unveiling, I give you the chocolate chunk version.

The Little Hemp Cookie

Chocolate Chunk Version

Yield: 12 cookies

• 1C almond flour
• 1/2t baking powder
• 3T coconut sugar
• sprinkle of salt
• 1/4C hempseed hearts
• 2T water
• 1t vanilla extract
• 1/4C chopped dark chocolate
• 1/4C chopped pecans

Mix all dry ingredients. Sprinkle wet ingredients onto mixture and stir until halfway blended. Sprinkle in nuts and chocolate and finish stirring completely. Spoon onto a silicone or parchment paper lined cookie sheet and flatten or shape as desired. Bake at 350F for 10-14 minutes until lightly browned and somewhat firm to the touch. Remove from oven and cool slightly before enjoying with tea and hemp milk.

By the way, this cookie dough is safe to eat from the bowl and the cookies will freeze great if they make it that far.

Let me know how they turned out for you!