I should have clarified - I cannot have refined white sugar - anything manufactured from sugar CANE. Thanks, Island Girl!

I had no adverse reactions to brown rice syrup (hangover effect, headaches, etc). The carb count is high but again, I did not eat more than two cookies a day and factored in that amount of carbs for the day. Besides, over the Christmas break, my goal was to maintain (which I did) rather than attempt to lose weight with all of the parties and insanity of the season.

I make gingerbread cookies once a year. Along with sugar cookies (and mind you, several batches for me, my family, the church food bank AND parties), I spend a great deal of time in the kitchen. Usually over the course of three or four days, I make dozens of cookies. Gingerbread is not labor intenstive to make but it needs to be rolled out, cut and baked, frosted, decorated and stored. So I save such treats to keep them special and factor them into the carb mix. Cheers!