Snack Attack: Healthy Snack Ideas

Healthy Dessert: Baked Pears With Maple Greek Yogurt and Granola

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:00:59 -0700

Spring is coming soon, but for many of us, we still have some cold nights ahead of us. This time of year I always try to make my favorite cold weather foods like soups, breads, and warm treats before Spring officially blows in. Here's one my family loves that's easy to make, tastes oh-so decadent, but is a great source of fiber and protein. Make it to enjoy for breakfast or an after-dinner dessert.

Check out this simple recipe when you read more.

Baked Pears with Maple Greek Yogurt and Granola
Modified from recipe found in Snack Attack Group

Ingredients

2 firm pears (Bartlett or Anjou)
1/2 cup apple juice
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon honey
16 ounce container plain Greek yogurt
4 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 cup granola
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Cut the pears in half lengthwise, and remove cores with a spoon. Place in an 8x8-inch baking pan, cut-sides down.
Pour apple juice and water over pears, and drizzle with honey. Cover pan loosely with foil and bake about 35 minutes or until tender.
When pears are done, pour the leftover baking liquid into a small saucepan and reduce over medium heat until about 1/4 cup of syrup remains; set aside to cool.
Open the container of Greek yogurt and stir in the maple syrup. Divide yogurt into four bowls. Place a half of the warm pear in each bowl, cut side up. Top with granola and walnuts, and drizzle with syrup you set aside.

Makes four servings.

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I also like serving this dish for brunch. If you have a tasty and healthy recipe to share, post it in the Healthy Recipe Group. I am always looking for new ones to try.

Snack Attack: Banana Dog

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 04:30:53 -0800

Here's a quick snack I love to nosh on in the late afternoon before a long hike or bike ride or after a run. It's filling, packed with protein, and tastes sweet enough to feel like a treat. If you're a peanut butter fanatic, you're going to love this simple and nutty snack.

It is so easy to make and only involves four ingredients. To find out how to create your own peanut butter hot dog, and see how many calories it contains, read more.

What you'll need:
One slice whole wheat bread
One tablespoon natural peanut butter (I prefer crunchy)
One small ripe banana (peeled)
1/2 tablespoon strawberry jam

What you do:
Spread the peanut butter on the bread. Place the peeled banana in the middle. Dab on the jam to make it look like ketchup. Squeeze the bread together like a bun and enjoy!

Check out the nutritional stats of this yummy snack:

Do you have a tasty and healthy snack you want to share? Post your recipe in the Snack Attack group.

Healthy Super Bowl Snack: Creamy White Bean Veggie Dip

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:00:10 -0800

Hummus has always been a staple snack for all my parties, but since it's so popular, it can get boring. Here's a twist on that basic recipe. You'll find this version is slightly creamier since it's made with Greek yogurt, and the dill gives it a fresh, zippy flavor. If you have time, whip up this dip, and refrigerate it overnight - it tastes much better the next day.

To see my recipe read more.

Recipe For Creamy White Bean Veggie Dip
Original recipe

Ingredients

1 15-ounce can of cannelini beans, rinsed and drained
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1/4 cup loosely packed fresh dill
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh dill sprigs for garnish

Directions

Place the beans, garlic, oil, yogurt, dill, and lemon juice in a food processor. Blend until smooth.
Garnish with fresh dill and serve with a variety of chopped veggies.

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If you have any tasty, healthy recipes to share, post them in the Healthy Recipe Group. Which Super Bowl team are you rooting for?

Super Bowl Snack Time

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:50:50 -0800

In my house, Super Bowl Sunday equals Super Bowl snack time. Chips, dips, wings, and pizza are standard, but I also like offering up some lighter fare.

Intercept empty calories, sugar, and fats by making these good-for-you alternatives to the classics. This stuff tastes so good, you won't even miss the guacamole, ranch dip, and pizza!

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Snack Attack: Kale Chips

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:30:00 -0800

My first experience with kale chips was at Blue Hill New York - the highly respected farm-to-table restaurant owned by James Beard winner, executive chef Dan Barber. I was in heaven when I tried the first bite: light, crispy, and nutty, with the perfect amount of salt to complement the subtle taste of kale. The chips were a goner in less than a minute. Months after returning home, a craving hit me and I attempted to duplicate the recipe. Who knew it would be so easy!

Last night I was going through one of my favorite food magazines - Bon Appetit - and saw Dan Barber's own recipe within its pages. I guess I am not the only one addicted to these things! Try making them for yourself and you'll see what I mean. Besides being a great alternative to potato chips, kale chips make a great party snack or mid-afternoon treat.

Do you have a healthy snack to share? Post it in our Snack Attack community group - I'll need something to munch on after my kale chips are gone.

To see the recipe, read more.

Kale Chips
Inspired by a dish from Blue Hill New York

If you cannot find Tuscan kale (aka dinosaur or dino kale) at your grocer, it's OK to substitute the recipe with another type of kale. Just make sure you remove the leaves from the tough parts of the kale. Don't discard the stem and ribs though - use them to make a veggie broth!

Ingredients

1 large bunch Tuscan kale (10 to 12 leaves)
1 tablespoon oilve oil
Sea salt to taste
Fresh ground pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 275°F.
Remove stalks and ribs from kale. Rinse and dry leaves.
Toss leaves in a large bowl with olive oil. Sprinkle leaves with sea salt and ground pepper.
Arrange leaves in a single layer onto a baking sheet.
Back for approximately 30 minutes or until crisp.
Transfer and let cool onto a wire rack or paper towels.

Serves 2.

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Source: Flickr User ilovemypit

Snack Attack: No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:00:19 -0800

Peanut butter is one of my all-time favorite foods, so I love to bake with it. But this recipe requires no baking at all. These chewy, nutty treats are made with all-natural peanut butter, wheat germ, rolled oats, and coconut, and no added sugar, so they're a healthy treat you can enjoy anytime. I like to take a couple out on long rides with me instead of an energy bar.

To see this simple recipe, keep reading.

Snack Attack: Warm Apple Toast

FitSugar — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:50:51 -0800

If you're looking for a yummy snack idea that'll warm you up on a cold afternoon or satisfy your sweet tooth after dinner, you've got to make this delicious apple toast. Simple to make, you only need four ingredients.

To learn how to create this easy recipe, read more.

Ingredients:
1 slice whole wheat bread
1 tablespoon all natural peanut or almond butter
Half a medium apple, cored and sliced
Sprinkle of cinnamon

Preheat toaster oven to 350° F.
Smear the nut butter on the bread. Top with sliced apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Bake for 10 minutes, or until the apples are slightly soft.

This easy snack contains:

Do you have a tasty and healthy snack you want to share? Post your recipe in the Snack Attack group.

Healthy Treat: Banana Crumb Muffins

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:00:35 -0800

Fresh fruits are a little sparse in these cold Winter months, so I've been buying more bananas since my beloved berries are out of season. Last week I picked up a few too many, and they started getting brown before my family had a chance to eat them. So I decided to make lemonade out of lemons, or rather banana muffins out of overripe bananas. The crumb topping is what makes these muffins taste like dessert. Savor a warm muffin with some hot mulled wine in the evening, or serve them at your New Year's Day brunch.

Get the details on this simple recipe when you read more.

Healthy Dessert: Banana Walnut Crumb Muffins
modified from AllRecipes.com

Ingredients

Muffin:
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup Earth Balance margarine, melted
1/2 cup walnuts

Crumb topping:
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon Earth Balance margarine

Directions

Preheat oven to 375° F. Lightly grease 12 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.
In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg, and melted Earth Balance margarine. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Add the walnuts. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, two tablespoons flour, and cinnamon. Cut in one tablespoon Earth Balance margarine until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool muffin pan on a rack.

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If you have any healthy holiday recipes to share, post them in the Healthy Recipe Group.

Save the Guts: Roast Your Pumpkin Seeds

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Before you throw out the guts of that jack-o'-lantern you've carved, try this basic, healthy recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds.

Pumpkin seeds are loaded with nutrients. They're high in both plant sterols, which may help lower cholesterol, and phytochemicals, which promote prostate health. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of protein, fiber, potassium, and magnesium. Try them alone, toss over a salad, or get creative.

To see the recipe and get ideas on how to spice 'em up, read more.

Basic Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
original recipe

Remove pulp by rinsing the seeds through a strainer, and make sure they are dry before roasting.

Liven up this basic recipe by tossing the seeds with additional herbs and seasonings. Use about one tablespoon of seasoning for every two cups of roasted pumpkin seeds, but you can adjust to taste. For a twist, try adding these seasonings to the basic recipe:

Barbecue seasonings
Curry spices
Cinnamon, ginger, and sugar
Garlic powder and cayenne pepper
Parmesan cheese
Brown sugar, chili powder, and nutmeg

Ingredients

2 cups pumpkin seeds
2 teaspoons canola oil
Salt to taste
Optional seasonings to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, toss pumpkin seeds with canola oil and salt. (At this stage also add any additional seasonings to the mix)
Spread pumpkin seeds evenly onto a baking sheet in one layer.
Bake for about 20 minutes, until the seeds are crisp, stirring every few minutes.
Remove from the oven and if desired, re-season to taste.

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Have a recipe to share? Join my Healthy Recipe group. And if you're more of a snacker, then join my Snack Attack group.

Baked Pears with Vanilla Yogurt and Granola

3ADay — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:31:16 -0700

Makes 4 servings
Prep Time: 30 min
Cook Time: 35 min

Ingredients

* 2 medium pears (Bartlett or D'Anjou pears)
* 1/2 cup apple juice
* 1 cup water
* 1 tablespoon honey
* 3 (6-ounce) containers low-fat vanilla yogurt
* 1/2 cup low-fat granola
* mint leaves, optional

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut pears in half lengthwise and remove core with a melon baller or small spoon. Place pears, cut side down, in a shallow baking dish just large enough to hold them.

Pour apple juice and water over pears; drizzle with honey. Cover pan loosely with foil and bake about 35 minutes or until tender. While pears are baking, place granola in a shallow baking pan or pie plate and toast in oven 10 minutes; set aside.

When pears are done, pour baking liquid into a small saucepan and reduce over medium heat until about 1/4 cup of syrup remains; set aside to cool.

Line a colander with paper towels and place over bowl to catch drips. Pour yogurt into colander and allow to drain about 30 minutes. Divide yogurt among 4 shallow bowls. Place warm pear half, cut side up, over yogurt. Top with toasted granola and drizzle with syrup. Garnish with a mint leaf, if desired.

Yield: 1/2 pear plus 1/4 of yogurt mixture, per serving

Recipe created by 3-A-Day™ of Dairy
Nutritional Facts per serving for individual food recipe:
Calories: 240
Total Fat: 2.5 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 5 mg
Sodium: 115 mg
Calcium: 25% Daily Value
Protein: 8 g
Carbohydrates: 49 g
Dietary Fiber: 3 g