Super Food Number Six.

Becca's Super Food Number Six: Molasses.

Molasses is a by-product in the process of refining sugar cane into regular, granulated table sugar. Molasses is very high in iron and calcium (which are two important minerals for female and athlete health). Molasses is also awesome because it is a mineral-rich sweetener (containing potassium, manganese, magnesium, and copper). Next time you are craving sweet, opt for molasses for all of its added benefits; add it to toast, smoothies, on top of oatmeal, or of course in gingerbread...

Gingerbread Men (with a healthy twist!)

2 cups spelt flour (or all purpose, or whole wheat)
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon dried ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 cup maple syrup (or agave, or honey)
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoons milk (soy, cow's, or almond), mixed with 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds (let sit for 5 minutes to gel)
1/4 cup non-hydrogenated margarine (or butter)

Combine all dry. Combine in all wet in a separate bowl. Add wet to dry and mix well. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Roll chilled dough onto parchment paper. Using a cookie cutter, create evenly spaced g-bread men (removing extra dough and later to make round ginger cookies). Bake for 10 minutes at 350F. Makes 12 g-bread men.

Note: for a spicier cookie, add more spices to taste. Luckily with vegan baking you can taste-test the batter without worrying about any Salmonella poisoning :P

Other recipe ideas: I use molasses to make homemade Teriyaki sauce (combine soy sauce/tamari/Bragg's, molasses, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, and black pepper). I also have created an mega calcium-rich toast topper: combine equal parts molasses and tahini, stir to mix, spread on toast.