Apples with Greek yogurt dip

 

Greek yogurt dip with honey, cinnamon and peanut butter

1 and a half cups of plain Greek yogurt

2 tsp peanut butter

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp honey

Mix well and serve with red and green apples-like I did for a holiday party or with any fruit on any day as a healthy snack. I think this would also be good to spread on toast in the a.m or eat by the spoonful like I could do because I love it so much!

***Can substitute pumpkin instead of peanut butter, or use almond, apple butter or pumpkin butter instead.

 

Enjoy!!
xoxoxo-A

Coconut & Dates Granola

 

COCONUT & DATES GRANOLA

Pre-heat oven to 380 degrees

mix together the following:

4 c Old Fashioned Oats

1 c raw natural silvered almonds

2 to 3 tbsp honey

1/4 c dark brown sugar

1/4 c cinnamon

Bake  on big cookie sheet, spreading as evenly as you can to ensure even toasting for 15 min

Add 1/4 flaxseed meal, 1 c shredded coconut on top and place back in oven for 10 additional min

***Let cool completely, add 1/2 chopped dates and then place in the fridge to store***

Serving suggestions: 1/4 c topping Greek yogurt, alone when you are hungry in the car or on the go or with milk.

Enjoy!

xoxoxo-A

 

 

 

Healthy Zucchini Apple and Walnut Muffins

HEALTHY ZUCCHINI, APPLE AND WALNUT  MUFFINS

 

INGREDIENTS:

1 c Bran Muffin Mix

1 c Flaxseed Meal-we love flax!

1/2 c chopped Walnuts

1/2 c chopped peeled Apple

3/4 c chopped peeled Zucchini

1 c water

3 tbsp unsweetened applesauce

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp honey

2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp ginger

Makes 12 mini muffins and 6 regular muffins

Spray pan with Pam or cooking spray. Oven on 350-minis take about 12 min, regular take about 15 min. 

 Top with tsp of apple butter-extra yummy!!!

Granola: Pumpkin Almond Flax

Good afternoon! It's fall and I have been wanting to make my own granola for a while now so I finally did it and here it is: Pumpkin, almond and flax are the main ingredients! I hope you try it! It is so nutritious and can be made to suit your taste! Add different or multiple types of nuts, different dried fruit or chocolate!

I used:

4 c oats

3/4 c flaxseed

3/4 c crushed almonds

3/4 c sunflower seeds

1/4 c of honey

1/2 c dried cranberries

Ginger, nutmeg, pumpkin and cinnamon spices-about 2  tsp each-4 tsp of the pumpkin

2 small cupfuls of vanilla extract

Cinnamon and sugar grinder  to top it all off-just a dusting

Mix all ingredients except for the dried fruit-add that at the end when you pull it out of the oven to cool.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 min-half way through give it a toss around to be sure you don't burn any of it. Use 2 trays so the granola is thinly and evenly spread...not piled up too much! Let it cool on the pan then seal and store.

Simple 6: Example meal plan of what you could be eating to live a healthy lifestyle

Simple 6 Healthy Meal Plan example:



one: plain oatmeal w/ cinnamon, egg white omelette w veggies w/ plain wheat toast or Smoothie

two: 1 c Greek Plain Yogurt w/ fresh berries & 1/4 c granola

three: grilled chicken breast, small sweet potato or brown rice, green vegetable

four: handful of almonds or apple or pear

five: grilled steak or fish, big green salad, olive oil dressing

six: plain rice cake or celery with tsp. peanut butter

This is a simple meal plan example in case you are not eating at all, not eating enough times per day, only eating junk or have no idea what to eat or where to start to live a healthy lifestyle....

Now go.....eat.....be healthy! (And don't forget to exercise!!!)

xoxoxo-A

Healthy "sweet tooth" mini muffins!

 



 

I mean.....there is no denying these are 100% AWESOME for you and will definitely satisfy your cravings!!! Best part is that I  am so proud of myself for having all of these ingredients on hand and making it up as I went along! Also, I might be developing a small fetish for "mini" things!

• one chopped banana


• 1 c oat bran muffin mix


• 1/2 c flaxseed meal


• 1/4 c of each of the following: chia seeds, chopped blanched almonds, choc chips, unsweetened applesauce and dates


• 2 tbsp vegetable oil


• 1/2 cup water


• one egg


• Dash each of cinnamon and honey


• Mix all together and place in mini muffin pan.


• Bake at 350 degrees for 11 to 12 min.


• Makes 16 mini muffins

Snack time! Greek Yogurt w/ granola and fresh fruit!

My ABSOLUTE favorite snack! 1/2 c  Chobani plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup Organic High Protein Granola and 1/4 cup fresh fruit (this pic has a white nectarine with it).

Why Greek yogurt? It is the highest in protein -It is the King of all yogurts-nothing compares, low carbs, low sugar and naturally NO FAT. (To name a few)

The high protein granola I choose because it is packed with all kinds of goodies-soy flakes, oats, cranberries, sunflower seeds and flax seeds.

This snack is about 200 calories, 16 g protein, 12 g sugar, 4.5 g fat, 5 g fiber and 18 g carbs perfect for mid morning snack! I usually have this after my smoothie, dropping Max off at school and then going to the gym and or running.....about 3 hours after having my smoothie in the a.m.

My son loves this snack too! I feel its crucial to start our kids off eating right so they can have these good habits from the start and not be stuck, like many of us, trying to change bad habits 20, 30 or 40 years in the making! It is our responsiblity as parents to guide them. Now is the time.

If you think you don't like yogurt or Greek yogurt-please I beg you to think again and give it another try. Sooooo good for you! You should care what your calories are made up of. What value do they bring to you and your day? Don't just fill your body with calories-fill it with good for you calories!

Enjoy!

xoxoxo-A