• At least 5 million Americans have been diagnosed with gastroparesis; that's about 4% of the population!
   
• For comparison, more people have been diagnosed with GP than have been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and Celiac Disease combined.
   
• About 82% of all gastroparesis patients are women. Among idiopathic gastroparesis patients, which is statistically the most common form of the disease, approximately 90% are women.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 large egg white
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tsp non-fat milk
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• food coloring, optional
   

Directions

1. Combine the flour and next 7 ingredients (through cloves) in a bowl.  Set aside. 
    
2. Beat butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl at medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
    
3. Blend molasses and egg white into sugar mixture.
    
4. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture.  Beat at low speed until incorporated. 
    
5. Refrigerate dough for about 1 hour. 
    
6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
    
7. Working with half of the dough at a time on a well-floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/8-1/4 inch thickness.
    
8. Cut out cookies and place 1 inch apart on baking sheet.
    
9. Bake for 8 minutes. 
    
10. Cool on wire rack.  
     
11. While cookies are cooling, combine powdered sugar, lemon juice and vanilla extract in a small bowl. [Optional: use food coloring to make different colored icing.]
     
12. Spoon into a pastry bag or a zip-top plastic bag.  Snip off the corner of the bag and decorate as desired.  

Variation:  to make drop cookies, proceed through step #4. Shape the dough into 1 inch balls.  Roll each ball in granulated sugar (optional). Place 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.  Flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar (to prevent sticking).  Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.  Once cool, the tops can be drizzled with the icing and decorated with sprinkles, if desired.   

{Note: I divided my dough in half and made the drop cookies while the other half of the dough was chilling for the cut-outs.}

Want more? You'll find addition holiday recipes, including Chocolate Crackle Cookies, No-Bake Holly Treats, and Gingerbread Biscotti, on my blog.

As I  mentioned above, there are at least 5 million Americans living with gastroparesis.  Yet, as you've likely discovered, there's not a single book available to help GPers understand and manage the condition. 

 

That's what inspired the  "Five Million People. One Book." Kickstarter project. I'm currently working on a comprehensive resource, covering all aspects of living with gastroparesis.  But I'm relying on the funds raised via this project to get the book to the people who need it (people like you!). 

If you're not familiar with Kickstarter, it's a unique all-or-nothing funding method where projects must meet their fundraising goal or no money changes hands. For those who offer financial support, there are a variety of rewards available.   It's not a charity or investment site -- just a way for people to support projects that they believe in. 

Whether or not you're in a position to back the project yourself, please spread the word to family and friends.  After all, more publicity for the project means more awareness and understanding for gastroparesis.

As a thank you, and to help you manage your gastroparesis in the meantime, I'm including a coupon for the Eating for Gastroparesis: Guidelines, Tips & Recipes eBook. 

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