The Easiest Homemade Apple Chips
An apple with a sprinkle of cinnamon has been a go-to snack of mine for decades. It’s my standby, but I’m gifting you my second-fave version, since sometimes you just need a little variety: apple chips. I’m sure there are plenty of formal recipes out there, but once you get the idea of how to make these munchy bad boys, you won’t need one. And once you hop on the homemade chip bandwagon, you won’t stop at apple chips. There’s beet chips, zucchini chips, and kale chips…your oven doesn’t discriminate. But today, I’m passing on some pomme-love to you, so go green, go red, go Gala or Granny, the choices are endless. Easy Homemade Apple Chips Here’s what you need: Apples (they’re loaded with fiber, pectin, and antioxidants, and include cardiovascular and cancer-fighting properties) Cinnamon (properties in this spice are linked to brain-boosting benefits, decreasing inflammation, cancer-fighting, blood sugar control, and more) Optional: turbinado sugar, nutmeg, cocoa powder, pumpkin pie spice Here’s what you do: Preheat your oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Core a few apples. Slice ‘em as thin as possible into rounds. Watch your fingertips, you’ll need them later. If you have a mandolin, it does work beautifully here. Lay your lovely apple slices as close together as possible on a cookie sheet, but do not let them overlap. A Silpat liner or a quick mist of coconut oil may be needed to keep your apple chips from sticking. Sprinkle with cinnamon, coating lightly. You can sprinkle optional ingredients here, too, but go lightly. A heavy hand isn’t necessary. Bake for 45 minutes and then flip them over. Bake another 20 minutes and check for crispy perfection. They should be crisp and browned, but watch them carefully so they don’t burn or stick! Now enjoy! Store these eats in an airtight container so you can enjoy them for a couple of days. Bring them to the movies. Stick them in your kids’ lunchboxes. Pull a container out after the gym. I’m not ashamed to say that I brought them as a gift for a recent dinner host (Paleo-friendly, check. Vegan, check. Gluten-free, check.) And my kids actually ask to share them with their teammates after soccer games. (Nut free, check).
12 Awesome Healthy Snacks On The Go
Healthy snacks are hard enough to pack as part of your normal routine, so when it comes to traveling, packing them can be more stressful than deciding between wedges or flats. You’ve heard it a thousand times: Be prepared, pack smart, snack smart, blah blah blah. But there’s more to life than boring snacks! I’ve done all the hard work for you and I’m sharing my favorite fresh and packable snacks. Of course, they’re also healthy! And, since I like to be prepared for pretty much everything … pack both the wedges and the flats. 12 Awesome Healthy Snacks On The Go Popcorn You have choices here, friends. America’s favorite salty, crunchy snack is perfect for traveling when chosen properly. Boom Chicka Pop is non-GMO and comes in flavors you will heart, especially the sweet & salty combos like caramel & cheddar. I also love the extra virgin olive oil flavor from Popcorn Indiana’s Himalayan Pink Salt Popcorn and this one is also non-GMO. While you’re doing all that crunchy, don’t forget that popcorn is loaded with antioxidants and has about 3 grams of fiber for 3 1/2 cups. Kind Bars There are million bars to choose from, but you really need to know what you’re doing here since not all bars are created equal. My go to? Kind! They are generally super clean and yuck free, and they have a bunch of new flavors! Dark chocolate almond and coconut, Black truffle almond and sea salt or Dark chocolate almond mint all get a hardy, yes, please from me and I’m sure you’ll agree. YumButter Take your nut butter game up with these individual packs of nut butters that are perfect for travel. You’ll consume a wide variety of nutrients and a whole lot of flavor because this nut butter includes almonds, organic chia seeds and hemp seeds, Goji berry powder, lucuma powder and Himalayan pink salt. Pack one of these with a piece of fruit, and you’re all set. GimMe Organic Roasted Seaweed Snacks A salty snack to keep you away from those rest stop chips and pretzels. Aside from being super satisfying, they’ll give you 15% of your recommended daily dose of vitamin C and a bit of calcium. And, they’re fun to eat. The Good Bean Dried Chickpeas Can you say protein, fiber, antioxidants and crunch? OK, don’t say it, just eat them. These power-packed snacks come in both sweet and savory flavors so all of your cravings are covered. Vital Choice Wild Salmon Jerky Strips Great for a take-along option, each pouch contains 6 ounces of wild sockeye and keta salmon packed with omega-3s. They’re flavored with mild organic herbs and spices, a pinch of sea salt, a hint of smoky flavor, and a touch of organic sugar. No gluten, nitrates, nitrites, or artificial preservatives. You don’t need to opt for processed meats full of nitrates anymore just because, well, it’s lunchtime and a ham sammie seamed easy. And chances are your diet could use more fish, right? Nature’s Path Qi’a Superfoods Hot Oatmeal Creamy Coconut Your travel breakfast doesn’t need to come in a miniature box with a cartoon character on it. These packets will be your new best travel companion as you take your oats eating to a whole new level. Do you add hemp and chia to your oats? No need here. It’s already covered. Boom. The Chia Co. Individual Chia Shots While I don’t usually recommend taking shots while driving, I’ll say a-OK to these chia packets, especially sprinkled in yogurt, which you can pick up at any rest stop. But texting while driving … NEVER. Crunchies Freeze-Dried Fruit Ranging from dried fruits to dried veggies, alike, these are another great option for that clearly necessary travel crunch. You’ll love how they melt in your mouth … way better than candy. Carrington Farms Flax Pax You know that traveling can wreak havoc on your bowels. You need fiber to keep you regular and these packs are great to sprinkle on your meals for a little extra. Sold in perfectly-portioned packages, they are great for any meal and no measuring required. Epic Epic Bar is a great way to get your protein in in bar form. For all you paleo and gluten-free peeps, this is a home run. Made with grass-fed buffalo, one bar will give you 11 grams of protein and most definitely keep you satisfied until bbq time. They’re pretty much epic. Pun intended. Dang Are you as coconut-obsessed as we are? Thought so. Add these chips to your travel bag. Stat. Munch, top, sprinkle … eat them any way you wish. Dang, they’re good. (Sorry, had to!) So the next time you travel, before you decide that vacation equals inevitable weight gain, pack along these healthy snacks to keep you on track wherever you may go. Whether you’re racking up the frequent flier miles or just a once-in-a-while vacationer, you have the means to snack smart at any and all destinations. Bon voyage! More reading: If you’re following a vegan diet, we have two great guides for vegan-friendly road trip snacks and road trip meals. Happy trails!
5 Healthy Snack Ideas That Require NO Skills
I’ll set the scene. It’s 4PM. Your morning coffee has worn off. Your lunch was 3 hours ago, dinner is at 7PM and you have 15 minutes before your meeting. And, you’re about to crash hard. Must. Have. Fuel. You always have a yogurt just about now, but . . .uch. You have no interest in it. You’ve unenthusiastically had the same one for the past 3 days. If this is you, right now, go ahead and eat it today (it’s better than the candy jar on your boss’s desk) but tomorrow try one of these 5 fab healthy snack ideas that need no skill and are ready in seconds. 5 Healthy Snack Ideas That Require NO Skills: Healthy Trail Mix Who doesn’t love a little somethin’ sweet and crunchy? Break out a bunch of tupperware and toss in 1 cup GMO-free air-popped popcorn, 1 ounce dried apricots (about 4, but double check with the packaging and make sure no added sugar or sulfur) and 10 almonds. Make a bunch to grab and go. Better yet, have your kids do it. Gorgeous fuel: calories 185, fat 6.5g, protein 4g, fiber 4.5g. Eggs in a (Leafy) Blanket If you can boil water, you can have hard boiled eggs anytime. Boil up a bunch on Sunday. Slice ‘em up in one quick step and eat ‘em on a romaine leaf, wrapped up like a little burrito. Voila. Two large hard boiled eggs on 2 romaine leaves serves up 157 calories, fat 11g, protein 12.5g, fiber 0. Chickpeas + Chia If unusual eats are what you crave, grab a green magic Mamma Chia Squeeze (loaded with omega-3s and fiber) and an ounce of roasted chickpeas. You can mix and match your chia squeeze and chickpea flavors (you can also buy these at the grocery if you don’t want to make them yourself) for endless excitement. No assembly required, you’ll refuel with 180 calories, fat 2g, protein 7g, fiber 9g. Calming Oatmeal If you are a self proclaimed stress eater, I have a perfect comfort snack that you can feel great about. OK, so you do need hot water, a bowl and spoon, but if you unleash a packet of high quality oatmeal into a mug, stir in some coconut chips and sprinkle with cinnamon, you’ll release some serotonin, and your fried brain will thank you: calories 245, fat 10g, protein 6g, fiber 8g. Bonus if you take deep breaths and enjoy slowly. Avocado Lentil Boat It doesn’t get healthier, more satisfying or easier than this, peops. Halve a small avocado. Fill with ¼ cup steamed lentils (you find them in the refrigerator section by the produce) and a squeeze of lemon. You can use ¼ cup prepared tabbouleh instead, if lentils are hard to come by. Avocado + lentils: calories 127, fat 7g, protein 5.5g, fiber 7g. Avocado + tabbouli: calories 169, fat 12g, protein 3g, fiber 5.5g Covet your co-worker’s snacks no more. Get out of your snoozers snacktime rut. If any of these 5 delicious, healthy snack ideas take you more than 5 minutes to grab and go, somethin’s wrong. Happy snack time = happy, more productive you.
Avocado Egg Recipes to Make NOW!
When asked about foods I eat every day, (I actually do get asked this quite often), I always list avocado. When it comes to how and when I eat avocado the answer is “anytime, anyway and any place!” The egg-in-avocado concept is something that makes me very excited. No joking here. If you don’t get into this, I’m telling you you’re seriously missin’ out. Having tried it for breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner, I can tell you that it’s quite possibly the best invention ever. {Tweet this!} I love a no-brainer way for you to pull it off without breaking out the measuring spoons. 2 simple ingredients, 2 minutes prep time, and limitless ways to rebrand this plate of deliciousness. It’s uber easy. Try it my favorite ways, and you’ll be fishing for an avocado every day too. Here’s what you do: Preheat your oven to 425͒F (yes, you can do it in the toaster oven!) Split an avocado in half and ditch the pit. Scoop out a little bit of the avocado’s center – about a tablespoon – and save it, or shove it in your mouth. Crack an egg right into the center of the avocado and place it in an oven safe dish (you don’t want it to wobble, so choose the tightest fit you can find.) Bake for 15 – 20 minutes, depending on how well cooked you like your egg. Top with fresh herbs and a sprinkle of fleur de sel. Vary it up: My favorite way to eat this masterpiece is scooped out onto a slice of a new fave on the shelves, Dave’s Killer Bread. The Blues Bread version has incredible cornmeal action going on. Toasted, with a smear of coconut oil and the scooped out avocado slathered all over the top and some salsa fresca, it competes with huevos rancheros any day. If you’re entertaining, serve it alongside a frisee salad with citrus slices. Brunch is served. Eggs for dinner? You bet. Put my avocado addiction over a pile ‘o white beans, chili or quinoa and a little shot of sriracha. Cha cha cha! Lookin’ to impress? Go ahead and top that avocado masterpiece with a little smoked salmon and a spoonful of caviar, then serve it with endive and radicchio leaves. Brilliant, I know! You are more than welcome.
