Carrot Cake Bites

I love the ingredients in carrot cake. This is a fun way to get a mouth full of the flavors of carrot cake in a snack bite. They passed the taste test with my 3 year old grand daughter and my husband. Eating one is not enough. I hope you are having a beautiful week. 

Carrot Cake Bites

Ingredients  makes approx 16 bites

10 medjool dates Pitted

1 cup  pecans

1 cup  almonds

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1 1/2 Tablespoon of coconut oil

2 teaspoons cinnamon

pinch of salt 

Directions

Pour all of the ingredients into a power blender and blend until crumbly. It will require you turning on and off the blender to stir with a rubber scraper to redistribute the mixture. Then when process  of blending is complete, roll the mixture into small balls. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy

 

Healthy Fig Bites (gluten free)

Fig Bites 

             Hi! It has been a while since I shared a recipe. I thought it would be fun to pass this yummy snack along. I have enjoyed eating figs lately. I have been excited about the calcium they have in them. I am always looking for foods that have calcium in them. They are a healthy treat. When you make them into these healthy bites you have a wonderful snack. 💕

Recipe 

3/4 Cup Sunflower Seeds

1/2 Cup chopped up Figs

1/2 Cup Chopped up Almonds (or nuts of your choice)

4 Tablespoons of honey

1/2 Cup Almond Butter

!/2 Cup Old fashioned rolled Oats (gluten free)

1 C unsweetened Coconut Flakes 

Instructions

1. Grind the sunflower seeds in blender.

2. Pour sunflower seeds into a bowl. 

3. Stir in the remaining ingredients into the bowl until all combined. 

4. Form into bites. 

5. Put on cookie sheet and freeze about an hour. Then store in air tight container in the freezer. 

6. Will store about 2 months. 

7. Makes about 16 balls depending on the size you make. Enjoy!!!

Add caption

 

Nutty Bars (gluten free and low sugar)

"Some times you feel like a nut some times you don't.... " This song has been running through my head. I usually feel like a nut. haha I love eating nuts. The funny thing is I used to think I didn't like pecans and now I realize that I do. It is fun to eat different nuts because they all contain different benefits. They are a great source of protein too. The key is to enjoy them but to not go overboard eating them.

I made this mixture of nuts into a bar and was very pleased how they turned out. It is a great combination of flavors. Do you feel like a nut today?

 Ingredients

1 C chopped unsalted cashews
1 C chopped almonds
1 C chopped pecans
1/2 C chopped dark chocolate chips
4 T chia *optional
4 T coconut oil melted
1 T honey
1/2 C chopped dark chocolate chip
1 T coconut oil

Directions    makes about 1 dozen

1. In a medium size bowl pour in cashews, almonds, pecans, chips and chia. Stir until all combined.
2. In a small bowl stir together oil and honey. Stir into the nut mixture until all combined.
3. In a small bowl melt remaining chips and oil in microwave. Stir the oil and nut mixture together. The chips melt a little bit with the warm oil and honey. I liked that.
4. Line a long bread pan with parchment paper. Pour the melted chips on the bottom of the pan spreading evenly. Then pour the nut mixture on top. Spreading it evenly. I used a small metal spatula to flatten the mixture down.
5. Place in fridge to harden. It will take about an hour. Cut into squares and enjoy.
6. Store leftovers in fridge in air tight container. YUM!

Almond Joy No-Bake Cookies (Gluten free)

I had a great couple days celebrating the birth of our first granddaughter. I think the angels sing each time a child is born. It is a sweet time. It is wonderful to watch my son become a Dad and our daughter in law become a Mom. What a the sweetest things in life. I look forward to going and seeing her soon.

These are a fun healthier option than eating an almond joy. They  are a greaat little treat or a great way to get a protein boost. These are a winner.



Ingredients
3 ounces dark chocolate chips
3 tablespoons coconut oil
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 cup almonds, chopped
2 cups unsweetened coconut
3 T chia *optional

Directions  Makes 15
1. Melt the chocolate chips, oil, and honey in a small saucepan on low. Stir in the coconut milk.

2. Take off the heat. Stir in the coconut almonds, and chia until well mixed.

3. Scoop onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper in 1.5 inch balls. Place them in the fridge to harden, at least 1/2 hour.

4. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or serve immediately.

Here is another No bake chocolate peanut butter cookie recipe.

Strawberry Spinach Salad With Vinaigrette

This salad reminds me of Spring! I love Spring. My husband made this salad yesterday. I love when he helps in the kitchen. He adds a nice extra touch to the things he makes. It is a busy time around here getting ready for our daughters wedding next week. Happy Time!

The salad was:

5-6 C spinach

1/2 C sliced almonds

1 C sliced strawberries

1/2 C sunflower seeds
sometimes I also add a thinly sliced red onion

Optional items

1/3 C bacon bits

1/2 C shredded Parmesan

Layer the ingredients so you get all the ingredients in each serving. 

I put the dressing on right before serving.  It will get soggy if you do it too far ahead. Add a little bit of dressing at a time to get just the right mix. 

dressing:

2/3 cup olive oil

1/4 honey or sugar 

2 TBSP. diced purple onion

1/2tsp. salt

3TBSP. apple cider vinegar
1/4 C chia *optional

Blend in blender or food processor until smooth. 

*If you use bacon. An easy way to do the almonds is to take the bacon bits and the almonds and saute' them together.  This gives the almonds some of the bacon flavor and roasts them a bit.  

Tossed Green Salad with Sweet Onion Vinaigrette

My friend Debbie made this a week ago and I loved it. I am always looking for more ways to eat vegetables. This is a great way to eat them and enjoy it. I have made the salad 3 times since she gave me the recipe. It is so good. Yum! 

The salad was:

5-6 C mixed greens - spinach and romaine (or red lettuce instead of romaine)

1/2 C sliced almonds

1/2 C craisins or dried cherries etc..

1/2 C sunflower seeds
sometimes I also add a thinly sliced red onion

Optional items

1/3 C bacon bits

1/2 C shredded parmesan

Layer the ingredients so you get all the ingredients in each serving. 

I put the dressing on right before serving.  It will get soggy if you do it too far ahead. Add a little bit of dressing at a time to get just the right mix. 

dressing:

2/3 cup olive oil

1/4 honey or sugar 

2 TBSP. diced purple onion

1/2tsp. salt

3TBSP. apple cider vinegar
1/4 C chia *optional

Blend together with a wire whisk. 

*If you use bacon. An easy way to do the almonds is to take the bacon bits and the almonds and saute' them together.  This gives the almonds some of the bacon flavor and roasts them a bit.  

Almond Butter

My daughter had car trouble last night and stalled in the middle of the road. It warmed my heart to have to men come and push it and help her to start it again. There are angels among us. There are good people everywhere that are there to help in our time of need. It makes me very grateful to live in this beautiful world.

I love almond butter. It is a fun treat for me. It is fun when I make it at home. It is easy to make and tastes great. Almond butter can be used on the same things you would use peanut butter for. Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 C almonds
1 1/2 T chia
1 T honey (vegan version use maple syrup)
1 T coconut oil

Directions

1. Pour all the ingredients into the blender or food processor. Blend and pulse until smooth. Serve at once.
2.  Store in airtight container in the fridge.

* I recently got the twister job from Blendtec. It worked so great when I was making this. I love it.

Clumpy Raw Granola with Chia

This is a fast and easy to make granola. No baking required. It feels like you are eating oatmeal chocolate chip cookie dough. It is yummy. A great snack or a fun breakfast. 

Ingredients:

1/2 C honey
1/2 C coconut oil melted
1/2 tsp salt * optional
1 C unsweetened coconut flakes
1 C almonds chopped
1/2 C chia
4 C old fashioned oatmeal
1/2 tsp almond extract *optional 
1/2 C  Chopped dark chocolate chips (* or raisins)

Directions: 

1. Pour all the ingredients into a mixer except the chips. Mix until combined.
2. Pour in the chips and stir until just combined. Eat immediately or store in an airtight container to eat later.  
Enjoy!

Hickory Smoked Almonds

I a lot of times crave salty instead of sweet. I used to buy these Hickory Smoked Almonds at the store. Then I realized how easy it was to make them. And so I was extra excited to learn that this month's Recipe Redux theme was Bring in the New Year with Smoke or Spice so I could share it with you! The cool thing is that it doesn't have all the extra ingredients that you don't know how to pronounce. It only takes 4 ingredients and you are done. They are easy to make too.

Ingredients

1 egg white
2 tsp salt 
1/2 tsp liquid hickory smoke
3 C raw almonds

Directions

1. Beat the egg white in a bowl till foamy. Then add the salt and liquid smoke. Beat together.

2. Throw in the almonds. Stir until all the almonds are covered.

3. Grease a cookie sheet or use parchment paper. Spread the almonds out on the cookie sheet.

4. Bake at 300 for about 30 minutes. Stir them every 10 minutes. Take out of the oven. Let them cool and enjoy. 

5. Store leftovers in an airtight container. It's a great little snack. 

Couldn't be much easier than that. I chopped some up in my chopper for a salad tonight Yum!

An InLinkz Link-up

Almond Joy Smoothie (Sugar Free)

Here is a fun way to enjoy the flavors of an Almond Joy without feeling any guilt. A candy bar in a glass.  The banana is added to add a nice natural sweetener without adding sugar. You can blend as smooth as you want if you don't want to have the texture. I liked a little texture in mine. 

Ingredients

2 C almond milk vanilla unsweetened

1 frozen banana (natural sweetener)

1/2 C unsweetened shredded coconut 

1/4 C dark chocolate chips

1/4 C almonds

2 T chia * optional

* garnish with coconut and  crushed chocolate chips

Directions  serves 2

1. Pour all the ingredients in the blender starting with the milk. Blend to desired texture.

2. Garnish with crushed chips and coconut if desired. 

Fruit and Nut Chocolate Bites (no added sugar)

These are inspired after eating the chocolate cherry Kind Bars. They are so expensive to buy and so I thought it would be fun to make my own healthy version of them. No added sugar either. You make them ahead and have them when ever you want them for a lot less money. Mission accomplished! Great little healthy snack. 

Ingredients

3/4  C dark chocolate chips

1 T coconut oil

1 C dried fruit (I used  1/2 C cherries and  1/2 C pomegranates) 

2 T coconut oil

5 T chia *optional

1 C cashews unsalted

1 C almonds unsalted

1/4 C dark chocolate chips

Directions

1. In a small bowl place chips and oil. Put in microwave for 1 minute and then stir. Then put back in for 1 min. Stir again, and place in fridge to thicken a little. 

2. In blender pour all of the rest of the ingredients. pulse and stir. I left the nuts a little chunky. 

3. Scoop and roll into balls. 

4. Dip into chocolate and place on greased surface or non stick surface. 

5. Place in fridge to harden. 

6. Store in airtight container. Enjoy!

Chewy Protein Energy Bars

I loved this picture of my daughter throwing up the leaves yesterday. She was an angel. She came and raked up and bagged 10 bags of leaves and carted them away. We have wonderful children who bless our lives in so many ways. I have loved the times my children and grandchildren have enjoyed playing in our leaves. There are a lot more leaves to come. The trees still have a lot of leaves on them. :) The raking and bagging is not over.

It is easy to find a lot of energy bars in the store. They are often very expensive and a lot a times you need a dictionary to decipher what the ingredient its. The safest bet and healthiest is to make your own ahead of time. Then you know exactly what you are eating.  The key is to make up a batch of them ahead of time and then you will have them ready to go when you need them.

These are loaded with protein. They are low in sweetener and taste great. You can make them your own by being creative and adding your favorite dried fruit or you can leave it out. I left it out this time.  I loved the soft chewiness of these bars. They also had just the right amount of sweetness.  Have a great weekend.


Ingredients

1/2 C chia ground *
1 C Old fashioned oatmeal
1/2 C sunflower seeds
1/4 C whole grain flour (I used spelt)
1/2 C dried fruit of your choosing * optional
1/2 C raw almonds
1/2 C raisins
1/2 C soft dates
1 tsp cinnamon
2 T coconut oil
5 T honey
2 eggs


Directions  Heat oven to 350

1. In a blender or food processor, pulse and blend everything except oil.  honey and eggs. Blend until all broken down.
2. Pour in bowl add oil, honey and eggs. Blend until all combined. I used a wire whisk to get it all to blend together. It will be a thick paste.
3. Grease a 9x9 pan (I love the way stone ware cooks.) Grease pan or line with parchment paper.
4. Place in oven and bake about 15 min or until done.
5. Take out of oven and let cool about 15 min before cutting.
6. Store wrapped up in air tight container individually so they are ready to grab. You can store in the fridge for 3 days or freeze them up to 3 months.

* I ground up chia ahead of time in a small grinder.

Chocolate Almonds

These are a fast and easy snack to make and have ready to take with you. I had just bought my daughter some of these last month for her birthday. It was fun to see how easy they are to make. They are a great combination with dark chocolate and almonds. Winner! Have a great weekend. It is a colorful time of year. These would make a fun hostess gift.  

Ingredients

3 1/2 T unsweetened dark cocoa powder

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

2  1/2 tsp honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp almond extract

2 C raw almonds  or roasted*

Directions

1. In a small bowl mix together cocoa, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.

2. Mix together honey, vanilla, almond extract in a small saucepan on the stove. Heat on low until the honey turns to liquid and the mixture is all combined. Take off the stove.

3. Pour the almonds into the honey mixture. Stir until all coated. 

4. Then pour the cocoa mixture over the nuts and stir until they are all covered. 

5. They are ready to enjoy. Store leftovers in airtight container. Happy snacking.

*You could roast the almonds ahead of time for added flavor. Spread in a skillet on the stove in single layer on medium heat. Stir often until they turn brown. Should take only about 5 min.  Don't let them over cook. Then continue with instructions as above. The roasting gives them an extra crunch. 

Peanut Butter Nutter Clusters (protein)

I have a new hobby that I am loving. Biking! It is so fun to see things from a bike. I am able to see a lot more than I did when I walked. I am still at the novis stage but it is so much fun. It is fun to do something new. I had ridden bikes before but not to this extent. We live in such a beautiful world. It is a very pretty time of year. Love it!

These are a fun snack. They are loaded with protein and a great snack in between meals when the hungry pains hit or even before that.


Ingredients

1/4 C pecans
1/4 C almonds
1/2 C cashews
1/4 C peanut butter
1/4 C chia
1 T coconut oil
3/4 C old fashioned oatmeal
1/3 C dark chocolate chips

Directions   makes 12

1. In a blender pulse all the ingredients together until all combined.
2. Scoop on to pan lined with parchment paper.
3. Place in fridge to harden. Store in airtight container in the fridge.

Healthy Coconut Macaroons (Raw)

It is fun to make a yummy treat out of coconut. They are a little bite size treat thats are fast and easy to make. YUM!

Ingredients

1 C finely chopped almonds
1/2 C unsweetened coconut
1/4 C coconut oil
1 tsp of vanilla or 1/2 tsp almond extract
2 T honey



Directions   Makes 10

1. Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl. Put the bowl in the fridge for an hour at least to harden.
2. Take out of the fridge scoop or form into balls and place on non stick surface. Put them back in the fridge to harden.
3. Then take them out and enjoy them. Store leftovers in airtight container in the fridge.

Toasted Almonds and Coconut with Steel Cut Oats and Raspberries

Happy Memorial Weekend. I hope that you have time to honor those who have given much to find for our freedom. It is also a sweet time to honor friends and family that have moved on too. Honoring their lives as well.

I had fun making this cereal this morning. It was a fun wist on the oatmeal. The toppings I used would be yummy with yogurt as well. Having hot cereal for breakfast is one of my favorites. It starts me off right. Add some blueberries to it and you have a great patriotic breakfast.

Ingredients

2/3 C steel oats

1 C water

2 T ground flax

1/4 C almond milk

1 T honey

1/2 C unsweetened coconut flakes

1/3 C almonds chopped

1 tsp coconut oil

1 tsp honey

dash salt optional

1/3 C raspberries or berries of your choice

1 tsp honey

2 T chia

milk for on top

Directions serves 2-3

1. If possible soak the oats the night before in water. If not put the water and oats in a pot on medium high heat. Let it come to a boil.

2. Turn down the heat to medium low. Stir in the flax, almond milk and honey. Let cook until the oats are softened. Stirring occasionally.  In the meantime.

3. I used a flat skillet if you don't have one use a frying pan. Pour the coconut on the skillet and let it turn a pretty golden color. Take off the heat and set aside.

4. Pour on the almonds on to the hot skillet, oil, honey and *salt. Let them toast until light brown. Take off the skillet. Set them aside. 

5. Pour the berries on to the hot skillet with honey and chia. Stir them and heat them up until they thicken. Take off the heat and set aside.

6. Pour the oats into the bowls. Top with berries, nuts and then coconut. Pour on milk on top. Enjoy!

Raw Oatmeal Almond Chocolate Chip Bars

Derek we have had a lot of fun.

I was ready for a lift today. Yesterday was a hard day. I got to close some chapters of our lives.  My son finished his high school tennis career. I was sentimental about that. It has been a great growing experience for all of us. I have seen him grow in leaps and bounds. He will take all the things that he has learned and benefit from them all his life. I will really miss watching him play. The great part is he can play tennis all of his life.  He is an adult now. It is crazy to have all my children adults now. Then the other hard part was to put our cat of 18 years to rest. He has beens such a good kitty. He has lived 9 lives. He has had a lot of close calls that could have taken him sooner. He will be missed. We are happy to have good memories and happy he is free of pain again. I don't like saying goodbye though. New chapters are opening and they will be good. I just always get sentimental when I turn the page to the next chapter. 

We Love you Smokey!

So I was looking forward to doing something fun. I was having a craving for the ingredients that are in an oatmeal cookie and this is what I came up with. they are a yummy treat. They would make a great snack anytime of the day. I always in the mood for a oatmeal treat. How about you? Have a peaceful weekend. 

Ingredients:
1/4 C honey
1/3 C coconut oil melted
1/2 C unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 C almonds chopped
2C old fashioned oatmeal
1/2 tsp almond extract *optional 
1/2 C dark chocolate chips  (I chopped them up a bit in the blender  ) (* or raisins)

Directions: 
1. Pour all the ingredients into a mixer except the chips. Mix until combined.
2. Pour in the chips and stir until just combined. 
3. Press into square pan and press until all evenly distributed. 
4. Place pan into fridge until hardened at least 30 min. 
5. Store in airtight container in the fridge. 

*If you want it thicker double the recipe.

*You could just eat like granola instead of forming into squares. 

Almond Joy Bites

The words from this song rang through my head as I was making these was "Sometimes you feel like a nut sometimes you don't... Almond joy got nuts Mounds don't..." I have always enjoyed Mounds and Almond Joys. This is yummy way to enjoy them without so much sugar and additives. I don't think you sacrifice in flavor they are delicious. You can even eat them without the chocolate on them. They taste great with or without the chocolate. These are for the time "you feel like a nut." :) I love getting nuts in every bite too. 

This treat is a great alternative to the Easter candy you can buy at the store. Make them and then you will have them on hand when you want a yummy healthy treat. :)

Ingredients
1 C of plain almonds chopped fine
1 C unsweetened shredded coconut
2 T honey or vegan sweetener
3 T coconut oil
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt *optional
1/3 C dark chocolate chips
2 tsp coconut oil

Directions makes about 12
1. In a medium sized bowl mix together almonds, coconut, honey, oil, vanilla, and *salt.
Stir together until it is all combined.
2. You could put in the fridge for 10 min to let the mixture harden a little, or just form the mixture into small balls. I made 12 of them.
3. Place them in the fridge in a covered container.
4. If you want chocolate on them melt the chips and oil in the microwave or stove on low until all melted.
5. Take the bites out of the fridge and roll in the chocolate. Place them back in the fridge in a greased covered container. The chocolate will harden quickly, and they will be ready to enjoy!
6. Keep the stored in the fridge to keep them hard in an airtight container.

*Another yummy one Raw Coconut Almond Cocoa Bites
*Also chocolate covered peanut butter oatmeal bites.

Dark Chocolate Cashew Truffles

You guys are going to love these. They are simple chocolate and nut goodness. That is all. They would make a great Valentine's treat! You could put them in a cute bag with a ribbon too.

Ingredients
1 C cashews (soaked for at least 20 min.)
1/4 C honey
1/4 C cocoa
about 15-20 crushed almonds

Directions
1. Soak cashews in enough water to cover them. Let them sit for 20 minutes. Longer would be great to if you have time.

2. Put cashews, honey, and cocoa in a blender or food processor. Pulse until all combined. You might have to open the lid and stir a couple of times so they mix properly.

3. Take out the mixture and roll them into 1-inch balls using your hands.

4. Crush almonds in blender or food processor. Roll the truffles in the nuts until coated. Keep in the refrigerator until it is time to serve them.

Healthy Raw Bite Size Raspberry Bars

Like I have mentioned here before. I love raspberry. I have been eating them fresh and they are wonderful. It is nice to eat them all year long thanks to being able to put them in the freezer. So I recently saw a recipe of raspberry bars posted that looked delicious, but I thought I could cut the calories, and maybe get a similar taste. So I cut out all the butter and sugar.This is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy them, and enjoy the fact that you are eating less calories too. :) Would love to hear how you enjoy eating raspberries?

Ingredients:  
1/2 C almonds
3 T coconut oil
1 to 1 1/2 T honey (depending on your desired sweetness)
1 C unsweetened coconut flakes
1 C old fashioned oatmeal
1 tsp almond extract or vanilla
3 T raspberry preserves (I blend up raspberries and add a little honey)       
unsweetened shredded coconut to roll them in

Directions: 
1.Blend in the blender the nuts till the mixture is a fine mixture.
2. Blend in the honey and oil. Till all combined.
3. Blend in the coconut, oatmeal, almond extract or vanilla. Blend till all combined
4. Fold in the raspberries, and then roll them into balls.
5. Roll into shredded coconut. (*variation you could roll in powdered sugar before the coconut) They are that easy and you didn't have to heat up your kitchen. :)
6. Store in airtight container in the fridge.