Power Snacking

Hello and Happy Spring! The trees are blooming and the grass is turning green. With the warmth and longer days, we have found ourselves outside and more active. My kids have come in from playing hungrier than usual. Because I have read enough about the poor effects of refined sugars and flours on our bodies (and have certainly felt that slump in energy after consuming them) I am committed to providing some nutritious snack options. I call them power snacks! In fact, I read a great article on Smart Snacking in our local newspaper a couple of weeks ago.

"The number of adults and adolescents who snack and the frequency of our snacking have increased. With busy lives, 87% of us snack throughout the day and consume about a quarter of our calories from sugary beverages and snack foods.,,Whether you snack because you're busy, bored, stressed, want a pick-me-up or believe it's healtheir to eat mini-meals throughout the day, make those calories count toward your total for the day and contribute nutritionally to your well-being." ~Shirley Perryman, "The Coloradoan"

Here are a few tips from the article:

• Pick Protein- start the day with protein, you will feel fuller longer.
  


• Pick a better bar- look for one high in fiber, high in protein, and low in sugar. (It could just be a candybar in disguise!)
  


• Plan Ahead-- Stock the fridge/pantry with cut-up veggies, fruits, nuts and homemade snack options to have on hand so that when the munchies hit, we don't reach for the refined stuff.

Here are just a few examples of some Power Snack Staples in our pantry:

-Seeds!
Clockwise from Top: Sesame Seeds, Chia Seeds, Ground Flax Seed, Sunflower Seeds

I offer my kids sliced apples with a spoonful of peanut butter and a small pile of seeds to dip their apple and pnt butter into. They love it!

-Nuts! We are nuts about them! A handful of nuts is a great hunger filler and good-for-you too!

Clockwise starting from top: roasted almonds, cashews, pepitas, pecans, sunflower seeds

-Shaklee's Cinch Bars!

These are high fiber, low sugar and packed with protein and we all love them! A great school snack or pick-me-up in the afternoon option. Check Them Out Here

-BT Chocolate Protein Bars
1 cup Shaklee Instant Protein Soy Mix

1 ¼ cup oats

½ cup of flax meal

Add-Ins—Add some or all:

1 cup slivered almonds

3 Tbsp. cocoa powder

2/3 cup Organic Chocolate Chips or Carob Chips

1 cup of Coconut (I made it w/o and added rice crispies for crunch)1 cup Honey or Agave

1 tsp Pure Vanilla

1 cup Peanut Butter or Almond Butter

Directions:Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside. In sauce pan, bring Agaveor Honey to a boil then immediately remove from heat and add Peanut or Almond Butter and Vanilla. Stir until combined. Pour Almond/Peanut Butter mixture into bowl of dry ingredients and stir till combined. You may need to use your hands. Press down into ungreased 9 x 13 in. glass dish. Cool in the refrigerator. Cut into squares. You also can roll the mix into balls if you prefer and then cool them.Variations:Add Fruit to dry mix— ½ cup chopped dates, raisins, cranberries, or cherriesAdd Nuts to dry mix— ½ cup almonds, walnuts, pecans, or other nutsAdd ½ cup Chocolate Chips ON TOP of mix after it is pressed into pan. Turn oven on Broil. Place bars into oven for 1 minute. Remove and use a knife to spread melted chocolate chips around on top of bars. Refrigerate.

This last recipe has the Shaklee Soy Protein Powder that is an incredible source of healthy and safe protein. It’s amazing.

PLUS, this month Shaklee is offering a Free Membership with any purchase! Their best special ever! You cannot go wrong with their products. They are always safe, always green and always smart. We love these products and have seen significant health changes as a family.

Warm weather and more active days call for some power packed snacking. Enjoy this change of season and let me know if you have any questions!