Category Archives: Snacks

Date Coconut Mixed Seed Bites

Posted in AP's Favorites, dessert, Snacks, SP friendly, Standard Process Friendly, sweet treat, vegan by

Treat yourself to these crowd-pleasing guilt free goodies when you are craving something sweet. Clean eating doesn’t mean you have to skip dessert.

Raw Date, Coconut, & Mixed Seed Fiber Power Bites | Makes 12-13 Bites – Serving size 2 Bites

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup pitted dates
  • ½ Cup of Tahini Paste
  • ½ Tablespoon chia seeds
  • ½ Tablespoon pumpkin seeds
  • ½ Tablespoon sunflower seeds
  • Unsweetened, dried shredded coconut (to cover outside of bites)

Directions

  1. Place dates and tahini into the bowl of food processor. Pulse ingredients gently until a paste-like batter is formed (this may take 1-5 minutes).
  2. Add chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. Gently pulse mixture to incorporate, but do not blend completely (pieces of the seeds should still be visible and will provide texture to the finished product).
  3. Remove mixture from mixing bowl, and using your hand, gently shape mixture into 1 oz. size balls.
  4. Place coconut on a plate or flat surface, and gently roll the ball in coconut to cover exterior.

Package in an airtight container.

Enjoy!

Here’s to a healthier you,

Sweet Potato Bites

Posted in AP's Favorites, comfort food, side dish, Snacks, SP friendly, Standard Process Friendly, vegan, vegetarian by

Ingredients

2 Sweet Potatoes cut into thick chuncks

2 T olive oil

Pinch or two of salt

Process

Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes then turn the oven off and leave inside for another 30 minutes. The extra 30 minutes will caramelize the sweet potatoes and make them oh, so tender and delicious!

Gluten-Free Holiday Chex Mix

Posted in appetizer, entertaining, gluten free, holiday favorites, Snacks by

1Makes 8 cups

I’ve added my own little twist to the old time favorite Chex Mix around the holidays.  This party mix can even be enjoyed by your guests with dietary restrictions or gluten free preferences.  It’s a modified recipe from the original Chex Mix.  I nix the Wheat Chex, use gluten free pretzels, and also add my own little twist.  Your guests will be coming back for more so you might want to make two batches!

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion power
2 teaspoon lemon juice
4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup pretzels (gluten-free versions available from Snyder’s or Snack Factory)
1 cup fancy mixed nuts
3 cups Corn Chex cereal
3 cups Rice Chex cereal

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a 13X9 in baking dish in a 250 degree oven.
2. Remove dish from oven and stir in the seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce.
3.  Add cereals, pretzels and nuts and stir until coated.
4.  Bake @ 250 degrees for 45 minutes stirring every 15 minutes or so.
5.  Remove from the oven and cool (if you can keep your family from nibbling)
6.  Store in an airtight jar or large ziplock bag.

Cherry Berry Vanilla Almond Granola

Posted in breakfast, Snacks, trader joes, vegan by

DFTSI Cherry Berry Granola_1095

You can customize this granola according to your preferences by adding in any sort of dried fruit or using different nuts in the recipe. I stumbled upon this gluten free recipe by Michelle Palin ~ My Gluten-free Kitchen and it soon became my favorite.
I recently made 12 batches of it to include in Valentines Day Care Packages sent to our graduated NCL Ticktockers that are away at college.  Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 cups gluten-free oats (rolled or old-fashioned, NOT instant)
  • 1 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup unrefined coconut oil (or melted unsalted butter or oil of your choice)
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 Tbsp. sugar
  • 4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut – optional (I like wide sliced coconut from Sprouts)
  • 1/2 cup dried fruit – optional (I like Dried Berry Medley from Trader Joe’s)

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 300°.
  2. Line a jelly roll pan (about 10.5″x15.5″) with parchment paper, or spray with nonstick cooking spray.DFTSI Cherry Berry Granola_1078
  3. In a large bowl, use a spatula to stir together oats, almonds, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon.DFTSI Cherry Berry Granola_1073
  4. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter or oil, honey and sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat stirring constantly with a whisk to get the sugar to dissolve and the mixture to come together. Once it comes together and simmers about 30 seconds, remove from heat. Whisk in the pure vanilla extract.
  5. Pour the hot liquid mixture over the oat mixture in the bowl. Stir well with a large spatula or wooden spoon. Spread granola on prepared jelly roll pan. Bake at 300° until golden brown, about 25-30 minutes. Once or twice during the baking time, pull out and stir well and put back in for the remainder of the baking.DFTSI Cherry Berry Granola_1054
  6. Transfer pan to a rack; If you want to add in dried fruit, add it now. Cool granola completely. If you want smaller chunks, stir several times while it cools so that it doesn’t harden into large chunks. If you want to add in mini chocolate chips, add them now after it has cooled completely.DFTSI Cherry Berry Granola_1089-1
  7. When cooled, use your hands to break apart to the size you want and store in an airtight container.

by Michelle Palin ~ My Gluten-free Kitchen

Apricot Bites with Goat Cheese and Pistachio

Posted in appetizer, Snacks, sweet treat by

Looking for a healthy low carb appetizer for your next party?  Try this simple recipe.  It has just 4 ingredients and is a perfect snack or appetizer.  Dried apricots topped with creamy goat cheese, nutty pistachios and just a drizzle of honey make a perfect combination.

Ingedients
18 dried apricots (I like the larger Turkish ones)
2 oz. goat cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped pistachios
1-2 T of honey, for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Place apricots on a platter or serving tray
  2. With the back of a spoon, spread a small dollop of goat cheese onto each apricot
  3. Sprinkle a pinch or two of crushed pistachios onto each
  4. Drizzle with honey*
  5. Enjoy!

Tip: To avoid putting too much honey on each apricot bite, place honey in a ziplock plastic baggy.  Cut off a small corner of the baggie and squeeze honey from the hole onto each apricot to add just the amount of sweetness to each bite.

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Creds to Jess @ jessfuel.com for this yummy recipe.  Her recipe is for a larger crowd and yields 3 dozen of these yummy treats.  I simply cut the recipe in half.  Check out all her other easy recipes.

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Pear Snack Bites

Posted in appetizer, gluten free, low-carb, Snacks, vegetarian by

DFTSI Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Pear Bites_6428Sometimes you just need something sweet and crunchy. It’s tempting to reach for something pre-packaged that’s easy and tasty but makes you feel guilty right after you put it in your mouth.  Not these.  They are crunchy and satisfying while also being high in nutrition Get your snack fix with this easy to prepare treat that you can feel good about.

Preparation: 5 minutes
Servings:  2
Ingredients: 4
Calories: 200/serving

Ingredients

1 medium pear
4 Tablespoons  PB2 (Powdered Peanut Butter)
2 Tablespoons water
2 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips
2 Tablespoons shredded coconut (I like it toasted)

Preparation

In a small bowl, mix PB2 with 2 Tablespoons of water.

Slice the pear into 8 -10 wedeges

Spread peanut butter mixture thinly onto pear wedges and place on either a serving platter or 2 individual salad plates.

Sprinkle with coconut and chocolate chips. Enjoy!

 

Poppin’ Pumpkin Seeds

Posted in appetizer, Snacks by
Poppin’ Pumpkin Seeds

I’m a Trader Joe’s fan.  If you are too, you’ll like this savory treat.  It is hard to resist the temptation to munch on them right from the pan as they smell so good.  Let them cool completely before serving though.  You can store for up to a week — Only if you have some left!  Yum!

Poppin’ Pumpkin Seeds

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 tsp TJ’s Sea Salt, more to taste
  • 1/4 tsp TJ’s Smoked Paprika
  • 1/4 tsp TJ’s Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp TJ’s Ground Cumin
  • 1/8 tsp TJ’s Cayenne Pepper
  • 2 Tbsp TJ’s Clarified Butter or TJ’s 100% Canola Oil
  • 3 Tbsp TJ’s Organic Brown Sugar
  • 2 cups TJ’s Raw Shelled Pumpkin Seeds
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh TJ’s Rosemary Leaves, roughly chopped

DIRECTIONS

Mix salt, paprika, cinnamon, cumin and cayenne together in a small bowl. Set aside. Warm butter (or oil) and sugar together in a large skillet over medium heat; add pumpkin seeds and spice mixture to pan and stir until sugar is melted and the seeds are fragrant, 5 to 6 minutes (add a lid when seeds start to pop). Remove from heat, add fresh rosemary and sprinkle on additional salt (if desired) and toss. Immediately spread seeds out on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cool completely before serving.

Apricots with Basil, Goat Cheese, & Almonds

Posted in appetizer, entertaining, Snacks by

apricots-cheese-su-xIngredients

4 ounces fresh goat cheese such as Laura Chenel, at room temperature

About 2 tsp. milk

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil

40 dried apricots

40 almonds, preferably Marcona 

2 teaspoons honey

Preparation

1. Mix together cheese, 2 tsp. milk, and basil with a wooden spoon until spreadable. Thin with more milk if necessary.

2. Spread a heaping 1/4 tsp. cheese on each apricot and top each with an almond. Drizzle with honey.

Psst!  You can make this healthy appetizer up to one day ahead.  Refrigerate and then bring to room temperature (30-60 minutes before serving). Drizzle with honey  just before serving.

Gruyere Cheese and Basil Sandwiches

Posted in comfort food, sandwich, Snacks, vegetarian by

grilled cheese

Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Makes: 2 Servings

Ingredients

  • 4 Slices Sourdough Bread
  • 3-4  Ounces of Gruyere Cheese
  • 4-6 large Basil Leaves
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter

Preparation:

Prepare ingredients:
Pick the basil leaves off the stems; discard the stems. Wash and dry the basil leaves. Thinly slice the cheese into large pieces.

Assemble the sandwiches:

Lay the bread slices on a clean, dry work surface. Divide the cheese slices and half of the basil between 2 of the bread slices;  Complete the sandwiches with the remaining bread slices.  Spread 1/4 of the butter on each of the top slices of bread.

IMG_1330

Cook the sandwiches:

Heat a griddle or fry pan on medium until hot. Add the sandwiches (butter side down) and cook 3 to 4 minutes on the first side, or until golden brown and crispy. Add the remaining butter on the unbuttered bread and carefully flip the sandwiches. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. Transfer to a clean, dry work surface.
Plate your Dish:
Cut the cooked sandwiches in half and divide between 2 plates. Serve with Easy Tomato Soup on the side. Enjoy!

Fruity Pizza

Posted in dessert, low-carb, side dish, Snacks, sweet treat, vegan, vegetarian, weight loss ideas by

Fruity PizzaCan’t wait until summer to have this pizza!  Packed with vitamins and minerals, this Fruity Pizza is the bomb.

The Watermelon “crust” is full of nutritious benefits. It is a high lycopene food. Lycopene is especially important in cardiovascular health and an increasing number of scientists are finding that it is beneficial in bone health too.  It also has amino acids known to promote strong kidneys and other organs.

The Kiwi  topping is one of the healthiest foods.  It has the equivalnet vitamin C of an orange  and its available year round.  The California crop is from November thru May and then we get them from New Zealand.  Their crop hits the market June thru October.  Kiwis are a great source of dietary fiber and also provides great antioxident protection.

Blueberries are full of nutritious benefits as well.  Chock full of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, calcium, potasium and magnesium, these colorful fruits make a great pizza topping that is good for you and your body.

Dried  shredded coconut not only adds fiber, it adds iron which helps with healthy circulation and tissue maintenance.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

watermelon (large slice) cut into eight pie slices
kiwi, peeled and sliced
strawberries, cut in fourths
nectarines, sliced
green grapes, cut in half
whole blueberries
shredded cocunut