Receta Saint Hildegard Cookies of Joy

Hildegard von Bingen was born in 1098. She was a visionary, a Benedictine abbess, a scholar and correspondent with popes, scholars, kings and queens. Her writings include books of natural science, medicine, theology, metaphysics and music. She is the composer and lyricist for the earliest recorded music by a woman. As a scientist and healer, she promoted natural medicine that integrated physical, psychological, and spiritual healing. She proposed principles for a balanced diet and explored the medicinal uses of plants, animals, and trees.

She recommended them for slowing the aging process, creating a cheerful countenance, lightening a heavy heart, and releasing intelligence. "Eat them often," she says, "and they will calm every bitterness of heart and mind - and your hearing and senses will open. Your mind will be joyous, and your senses purified, and harmful humours will diminish..."

This is an adaptation of St. Hildegard's recipe (from a circa 1157 treatise Physica: Liber Simplicis Medicine). The saint was particularly fond of recommending spelt grain, so I included a suggestion to use flour made from spelt.