Healthy Snacks

We are on a quest to kick our sweet habit (i.e. too much chocolate) and in that spirit I have come up with 4 new snacks for us to enjoy. They are easy, healthy, and not expensive. Those are the kinds of snacks we look for.

First, we were having company over on Sunday afternoon and I needed something quick but did not want to make a cake or cookies because I end up eating ALL of the leftovers. So I looked around the kitchen and found a box of light cream cheese.

Here what I did:

I added a teaspoon of honey

I blended up about 1/4 a cup of walnuts

Mixed it all together

Sliced apples and served as a dip. It was awesome! I think you could add a bit of cinnamon and nutmeg for a more "fallish" snack but it's Spring, so none of that!

Second, I was really craving chocolate. It happens. A lot. Here's the remedy

A glass of cold milk

A teaspoon or two of cocoa

A teaspoon of honey

Mix and drink with a straw for added fun.

You can heat this in the winter, blend with ice cubes for a more shake approach, or drink with a side of strawberries to be ultimately "springy."

Next, I was looking for healthier alternatives for snacks for my girls and made this:

Peel one banana

Drizzle with honey

Allow your three year old to crush some corn flakes and roll away.

Result: one girl licked all of the toppings off before eating, the other ate it as is. Both loved it!

Next up to try (with recipes to come if they turn out):

Homemade graham *and chocolate* crackers (we can't get them and homemade would be way healthier)

Peanut butter smoothies

Strawberry smoothies (when they are in season in a few weeks but the season only lasts a month here so we will have to get our fill)

Enjoy! Any other healthy snack ideas? I'd love to hear

Healthy Scones

Ok, so I am slack about posting recipes but here is what I made for breakfast today. They are very easy and very yummy! I make these different every time based on what I have at home, so I will give the basic recipe and you can change it to your heart's desire.

2 1/2 (or so) cups of flour- I use a combination of rye, wheat, and a little (like 1/2 c.) of white

2 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt (or none at all)

==============mix these together

1/4 c. real butter

==============add in with hands until crumbly

1 beaten egg

2 T. honey

=============add in- don't mix yet

Add in fun stuff-

any nuts, dried berries, raisins, etc.

Mashed banana, grated apples, etc.

Less healthy but more guest friendly-

dark chocolate with orange zest & juice for the moistener

white chocolate with cranberries

lemon poppy seed with lemon juice for the moistener

=============now mix but just enough to make it stick together.

Add milk (or the juices above) if needed (based on what you added you may need up to 4 T. but if you use apples or bananas, you won't need much if any) until just moist.

If you put too much then add more flour.

=============

Dump onto lightly (or heavily if needed) floured surface and knead a few times.

Pat into circle about 1/2in. thick. Cut into 8 triangles. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake until lightly brown on the bottom.

I have no idea the temperature. (my stove only has works on very high and very low so I bake everything on very low and it has no temperatures on it at all). Whatever you bake cookies or muffins on should be good.

Mmmm. These are good! Today I made apple walnut with cinnamon and nutmeg and I added about 1/2 c. oats just for fun. You seriously can't mess these up so just try out all different stuff in them.

Enjoy!

Grains

While looking to booster the amount of fiber my family eats, I have discovered a couple of new grains that add a nice change to the sides like rice, potatoes, and pasta rotations. Brown rice, obviously healthier that the above carb options is not a family favorite (i.e. husband votes no). Couscous is a family favorite but is a bit pricey here in Hungary so we are always on the look out for other alternatives. Enter millet and bulgur.

Some background on millet: Millet is one of the oldest foods known to humans and is possibly the first cereal grain to be used in domestic ways. It is mentioned in the Bible, and was used during those times to make bread. Millet has been used in Africa and India as a staple food for years. Today millet is the sixth most important grain in the world, sustains 1/3 of the world’s population and is a significant part of the diet in northern China, Japan, and areas of the former Soviet Union, Africa, India, and Egypt.

Health benefits: It is nearly 15% protein, contains high amounts of fiber, B-complex vitamins, essential amino acids, lecithin, and some vitamin E. It is also high in the minerals iron, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium.

How to prepare: Lightly toast 1 cup dry millet, add about 3 cups boiling broth or water. Turn down heat and simmer covered about 25 minutes (add more liquid if needed). Remove from heat and let stand covered 10 minutes. Fluff with fork.

How we ate it: Just as the preparation says using broth. We ate it as a side with roasted chicken and veggies.

Other ways I want to try it: With milk as you would prepare oatmeal with some cinnamon and brown sugar. Yum! Also, cold with some olive oil, lemon juice, basil, and veggies as an awesome salad. Finally, in soup as an alternative to noodles or rice. Any other ideas?

Family vote: Everyone (2 toddlers, husband, and myself) all vote YES! It was great!

Some background on Bulgur: Bulgur comes from wheat, and goes through very little processing so it keeps its nutritional value and is considered a form of whole wheat. This is what remains after the wheat kernels have been steamed, dried and crushed. It’s a staple in any healthy Mediterranean diet. This cereal grain has been a food staple for years because it offers an inexpensive source of low-fat protein. You might have had some if you have ever ordered a Tabbouleh salad at a Mediterranean restaurant.

Health benefits: As mentioned above, it is an excellent source of low-fat protein. It has a very high content of insoluble fiber and it has one of the highest mineral contents of any food. It is rich in iron, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, selenium and magnesium. Bulgur is also a good source of the B vitamins and folate.

How to prepare: And one cup bulgur to two cups boiling water or broth. Cover, remove from heat and let stand 30 minutes. Fluff and eat.

How we ate it: Just like I said above. We ate it alongside fish and veggies.

Other ideas: Again like with the millet, I would love to try it with honey and cinnamon for breakfast prepared with milk. I also want to create some salads with this and think this would be awesome in soups.

Family Vote: Once again. All of us voted a big YES. The girls loved it!! It was even better the next day.