~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

Finally the Iraq war is coming to an end.  President Obama has ordered all of our soldiers out of Iraq by year's end.  In his October announcement he told the country, "Our troops in Iraq will definitely be home for the holidays."

The idea of being home for the holidays resonates with so many people because the holiday season is a nostalgic one, filled with memories of childhood wonder, family traditions, special sweets and treats.  It is a time when we desire to reunite with friends and loved ones, to spend time with those we care about.  The Christmas season is also a time of giving to others and, in spite of the gross commercialism this gift-giving tradition encourages, in giving to others, in thinking of someone else's needs rather than our own, we open our hearts and the coordinating chakra.

A popular way to gather friends together in recent years has been to give a "Cookie Exchange Party."  Here's how it works:  Each guest brings 2 dozen cookies to share. The host provides beverages, plates, napkins and to-go bags.  The guests sample cookies and enjoy each other's company.  At the end of the evening each guest leaves with 1 dozen cookies of their choice.

In a year when so many people are out of work and so many families are in need, why not take your cookie exchange party to an extra level of goodness by collecting items to help others?  Give a cookie party full of kindness.  Ask your guests to bring an extra item in addition to their cookies.  Here are some suggestions:

Cookies and Cans Party:  Each guest brings one canned food item, such as vegetables, soup, beans, tuna, juice, etc.  Don't forget dog or cat food to help families with furry members.  The host takes all the collected food to a local church, food bank or other organization for distribution to local people in need.

Cookies and Coats Party:  Each guest brings one warm winter clothing item, such as coats, sweaters, gloves, hats, socks, scarves, sweat pants or rain ponchos.  The host takes the collected items to a local homeless shelter for distribution to people in need of protection from the elements this season.

Cookies and Christmas Toys Party:  Each guest brings a new toy, game, stuffed animal, etc.  You can specify age groups, if you like.  The host takes all the donated toys to a local Toys for Tots drop-off or similar toy drive charity for distribution to local families.

Home is where the heart is.  Make yours warm and cozy.  Hanging out with friends, family and loved ones can warm the heart even more when you come together to help your fellow beings here on earth. 

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Cardamom cookies are a popular Iraqi treat.  Celebrate Peace on Earth by taking a batch of these yummy butter cookies to your next holiday party.

Kindness toward the animals that provide us with food is good for your heart in more ways than one.  Organic Valley believes that "Healthy milk from healthy cows makes healthy butter for healthy families."  Their Organic Pasture Butter is made from cream from the milk of cows that graze on fresh May-September pasture grasses, just as nature intended.  This results in a butter that is rich in beneficial fatty acids - CLA, Omega 3 and 6 others, as well as beta-carotene (a benefit of the fresh summer grasses the cows graze on). I used Organic Valley Organic Pasture Butter to make these cookies; it's my new favorite!

3/4 cup organic sugar

2 sticks of butter, softened but not melted

2 & 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Seeds from six cardamom pods

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Your choice of either: 

1/4 cup lightly crushed, unsalted pistachios or 3 tablespoons sesame seeds

Optional: zest of one orange

Preheat oven to 350° F

Finely crush cardamom seeds with a mortar and pestle.  You can also place seeds in a plastic baggy and crush them using a rolling pin or heavy glass jar.  Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together, along with the zest (if using).  Set bowl aside.

In a smaller bowl, mix flour, baking powder and crushed cardamom seeds.  Add the flour mixture to the bowl with the butter mixture.  Mix well using a large fork, wooden spoon or clean hands.

The dough will be crumbly.  I find it easiest to use a round 2 tablespoon-sized measuring spoon to shape the cookies.  I pack the dough into the spoon and then gently tap out the formed cookie onto an ungreased baking sheet.  You can also use the traditional method of shaping the cookies:  Gather up a walnut-sized (2 Tbl) amount of dough and use the palms of your hands to make a small ball.  Place the ball onto the baking sheet and press down gently to flatten slightly.

Bake these about an inch apart for 15 to 20 minutes.  Let cool for a minute on the baking sheet, then use a spatula to slide cookies onto a rack or foil-lined counter to cool completely.

Makes 2 dozen cookies