Archive for Snacks

Almonds.

Hands down the best snack there is.  As Dr. Oz says, they are the perfect snack because  ”nuts are high in fiber and protein, they’ll satiate you so you’ll never be hungry.”

I keep a bag in my car and it keeps me from doing something “more damaging” when I am running late and starving!  A handful of almonds will get you through!  My kids love them to!

I like them as is, but you can toast them, add spices, or even soak them in water for a few hours (to bring out a sweeter flavor, or add them to shakes).

A handful is about 1 ounce.  If you don’t trust yourself to eat only about 1 oz at a time try the ones Trader Joe’s sells pre-packaged in handy little 1 ounce snack bags.  Genius!

almonds

Comments (2) »

Honor the Day, Honor a Hero.

Today is the day to say thank you to all the men and women who are serving, or have served, our Country!

Happy Veterans Day!

IMG_7002

 

Use these cute snack ideas to talk to your kids about Veterans Day and why it is so important that they get a WHOLE day off of school!  A star-shaped cookie-cutter can make for a cute grilled cheese (use a whole-wheat tortilla and your broiler as seen in this photo), make melon a whole new treat, or just use the some berries and yogurt to make a special after-school snack!

star3 

star2star

Leave a comment »

Protein Power for those snack attacks

My friend Stacie has never been a big meat-eater, but she loves her dairy.  In trying to come up with some snacks that are not dairy, but had some protein, Stacie asked me what I snack on during the day. 

I totally get what she is struggling with.  You can’t run all day on cucumbers and carrot sticks, you need something with some protein to fill you up and keep you from thinking about food!   I think most of us can agree we tend to screw-up our eating when we are not prepared, and find ourselves STARVING!  So I love Stacie’s question and today is her Birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY STACIE) and in honor of that I am going to throw out some easy, on-the-go protein options!

OK, I have TWO “go-to” protein snacks, I love;

1)  Grande Soy Latte is my ON THE GO protein snack that I can grab just about anywhere.  Now this is not an everyday snack, but it does the job when I had to bolt out of the house without my snacks!  170 calories/9g protein/1g Fiber…40% calcium, 15% Vit A and 8% Iron

I try to have these items with me in my car to make for a quick, easy snack ;

2) Amplify Chocolate Mint or Vanilla Protein shake and a few almonds (1/2 0z or about 10 almonds).  220 calories/27g protein/5g fiber

or

Amplify Chocolate Mint or Vanilla Protein Shake and 1 Tbl of peanut butter (a spoonful). 220 calories/28g protein/3g fiber

or

Amplify Chocolate Mint or Vanilla Protein Shake and a handful of pumpkin seeds.  260 calories/27g protein/2g fiber

MY 411 on Protein Shakes

  • Google it, but there are a ton of reasons WHEY is better than Soy when it comes to protein shakes
  • There are some GROSS flavors out there!  GNC sells Amplify and the two flavors mentioned are the best!  If you can not find these then ask for a recommendation and ask about returns or exchanges should you really dislike the one you get.
  • BUY a BlenderBottle.  Nothing is worse than a clumpy, runny, protein shake.  The BlenderBottle ROCKS, you can throw your protein powder in the container and just add water when ready.  $5  (I have two of these so I always have one clean and with me)

Peanut Butter, I use Costco’s Kirkland Organic Brand.  Cheap, and good for you, no extra junk in it (like High Fructose Corn Syrup)!

Almonds.  Trader Joe’s sells Almonds already packaged in 10z servings, called “Just a Handful of Almonds”, can’t overeat this way, can ya?

Pumpkin seeds.  Davids.  You can buy them in most gas stations, convenience stores, or your local grocery store.  The small bags are 2 servings, so eat half a bag!

Snack list (all great sources of protein, all items I enjoy)

  • Safeway Select Enlighten Black Bean soup (comes in a cup, add hot water kind of thing)- it has 10 g of protein per cup, and an amazing 14 g of fiber, and only 1 g of fat.
  • LUNA Bars: These come in a variety of flavors. They are all vegan, and have 10 grams of protein in each bar. My favorites are Chocolate Pecan Pie and Lemon Zest. (processed food, so treat not staple)
  • Nuts and Chocolate/dried cranberries: Very simple. Take a plastic baggie and fill it with nuts and Ghiradelli Semi-sweet chips. I like to use brazil nuts or cashews. (This would be the kind of thing I would take to the movies so I don’t sit there pissed I don’t have milk duds!)
  • Peanut Butter and Apple
  • Crackers and humus
  • Lara Bars (watch the saturated fat in some flavors)
  • Soy Crisps
  • Trail Mix

Comments (1) »

Halloween Smoothie Recipe

Halloween Smoothie Recipe

  • 1 cup orange juice

  • 1 cup 1% milk or soy milk/rice milk

  • 1 pint orange sherbet

  • 2 medium ripe bananas

  • 1 cup fat-free whipped topping, optional

  • Halloween sprinkles to make it zippy

Leave a comment »

Apple Bites, Some Healthy Halloween Treats (Enjoy year round!)

apple bites

from Family Fun Magazine

 

Ingredients

  • Apples

  • Slivered almonds

Instructions

  1. Just quarter and core an apple, cut a wedge from the skin side of each quarter, then press slivered almonds in place for teeth.

  2. Tip: If you’re not going to serve them right away, baste the apples with orange juice to keep them from browning.

 

Leave a comment »

Better than Starbucks

I gave up Diet Coke.  I am not giving up coffee.  No way!  But the good news is you can have coffee, they just don’t suggest more than a cup or two per day (read the mojo on over- caffinated Mom’s).  The nice thing is I also gave up dairy (99% of the time) so really my trips to Starbucks came to a screeching halt!!!  What is the point?  If i am just having a cup of java I can do that at home, and for way less money.

New studies are also suggesting coffee/caffine can fight of some serious diseases:

Consider this: At least six studies indicate that people who drink coffee on a regular basis are up to 80% less likely to develop Parkinson’s, with three showing the more they drink, the lower the risk. Other research shows that compared to not drinking coffee, at least two cups daily can translate to a 25% reduced risk of colon cancer, an 80% drop in liver cirrhosis risk, and nearly half the risk of gallstones.

So this morning I poured my coffee and realized when I went for my splash of soy milk that I was OUT!  Now coffee black just ain’t for me Sistah!  So I started scanning the fridge…VOILA!  There is was, not only my answer for my coffee, but for my breakfast on the run, or a great afternoon snack!

I keep a few Odwalla Green drinks, berry drinks, and protein drinks in my fridge for sipping on here and there (if I have had a low veggie/fruit day) or am just to busy to chop and dice.  Again this is a once in awhile thing, not everyday. 

This morning I added a splash of my chocolate protein (soy and dairy (but very little dairy)) to my coffee.  Realizing I had to get moving and I hadn’t yet had breakfast I mixed half the shake with some coffee and off I went.

A WHOLE bottle of this protein drink is 16 ounces.  A serving size is 8 ounces.  So I had one serving!

calories=220/fat=4g/cholesterol=5mg/sodium=310mg/potassium=460mg/Carbs=27/PROTEIN=18g

Now this is not a bad start to my day for being in a rush!  I think over ice on a hot summer day this will be the bomb come 2:30 ish in the afternoon!  But again…the full 16 ounces makes it a lot less of a snack and more of a meal!  Think Portions and serving sizes….all the time!

Odwalla drinks are not cheap, but for about the price of my previous Venti noFoam, extra shot, non-fat, 1 splenda latte (yes I drank this all the time-ick) I can have two servings of a way healthier beverage!!  Costco carries the Green Original Superfood drink that I love, giving you a little bit more bang for your buck!

Leave a comment »

Halloween All Year Round – Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin Seeds are Delicious, filling, salty, crunchy and OH SO YUMMY! I keep these in my car, and always take them to the movies when I go! I get to crunch on a salty treat that is much better for me than popcorn! These little munchies are loaded with protein and good, heart-healthy fats! My favorite brand is David’s and you can find them in the same section as sunflower seeds at grocery stores, gas stations, and you can buy them by the case online! Go David!!! One 5 ounce bad has 4 servings Serving Info Serving Size = 1/4 C Calories=160 Fat=12g Fiber=1g Sodium=10mg Protein=9g

Pumpkin Seed Phytosterols Lower Cholesterol

Phytosterols are compounds found in plants that have a chemical structure very similar to cholesterol, and when present in the diet in sufficient amounts, are believed to reduce blood levels of cholesterol, enhance the immune response and decrease risk of certain cancers.

Leave a comment »

What to look for in a snack bar & brands to try

What to look for in a snack bar/energy bar?

  • 2g of fiber or more
  • At LEAST 2 to 3 grams of protein
  • Between 120 & 150 calories (snack) 300 & 400 (meal replacement)
  • Less than 15g sugar

o Less than 150mg sodium

o Less than 35 % fat AND no Trans Fat

Kashi TLC Flavors

  • Trail Mix
  • Honey Almond Flax
  • Peanut Peanut Butter
  • Cherry Dark Chocolate

Cascadian Farm Organic Chewy Granola Bars

  • Fruit & Nut
  • Harvest Berry
  • Multi Grain
  • Chocolate Chip

Clif Z Bars (kids size)

  • Peanut Butter
  • Chocolate Chip
  • Chocolate Brownie

Luna Tea Cakes

  • Pomegranate
  • Vanilla Macadami
  • Orange Blossom

SOYJOY Bars

  • Rasin Almond
  • Apple
  • Berry
  • Mango Coconut

Leave a comment »

FiberOne Bars

FiberOne Bars – 9 GRAMS of FIBER!!!!

Taste Great and Costco sells 30 for $9! Can’t beat a great, yummy snack for .30 cents!

Calories = 140

Fat = 4g

Fiber = 9g

Sugar = 10g

Protein = 2g

Disclaimer: These are what I consider a highly processed food. There are ingredients that I try not to consume. Now that said, I would rather eat one of these if I am in a jam then a bad of chips, a candy bar, or fast food. I would not suggest you eat these on a regular basis. But when you need a short-cut, you can’t beat the 9g of fiber! So it is a trade-off, or sorts.

Leave a comment »

MultiGrain Chips and Hummus

10 MultiGrain Chips & 2 Tbl Hummus

(both available at costo)


MultiGrain Chips

(10 CHIPS)

Calories = 140

Fat = 6g

Fiber = 3g

Sugar = 1g

Protein = 3g

Hummus

(2 Tbl or 2 big spoonfuls)

Calories = 60

Fat = 4g

Fiber = 1g

Sugar = 0g

Protein = 2g


Total Calories 200!!! 4 Grams of Fiber!!! 5 Grams of Protein!!!

If you don’t think you like hummus LEARN to! Hummus is Garbanzo beans, olive oil, and tahini….all are heart smart and good fats for your brain! “Google” it and see for yourself!

A freebee…..you can also add salsa to this snack for 10 or so more calories!

Comments (1) »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 114 other followers