Tag: snack

Green Avocado & Spinach Smoothie

Carol 12 Comments

When I first started blogging some years ago, I started the day with a smoothie almost every morning. A few years later, I just got tired of it. My smoothies had almost disappeared in my breakfast menu ideas. Oatmeal became the main morning dish for breakfast. Recently I have again made the choice to add smoothies as a healthy, delicious morning choice. I like to have one for breakfast, lunch, or afternoon snack.

Back in the early days of blogging (2016), I shared Start Your Day With A Spinach Smoothie. I think it was the first recipe I shared. Spinach is one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat.  It is a super food loaded with tons of nutrients in a low-calorie package. Dark leafy greens like spinach are important for skin and hair, bone health, and provide protein, iron, vitamins and minerals. Just do a search for the word spinach and you will see pages of articles  on the health benefits of spinach. Just eating one serving of spinach a day can make your brain 11 years younger.  A diet rich in leafy green vegetables help prevent cognitive decline according to recent research.   It slows the aging process.

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Easy Black Bean Dip

Carol 11 Comments

Beans are great. They’re delicious, filling and packed with good-for-you nutrients like vitamins, fiber and protein. Black beans are among the most frequently consumed legumes around the world. They’re considered nutritional powerhouses that are rich in plant-based protein, fiber, and antioxidants that help manage blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels. They retain their shape and texture well, so they’re perfect to use in stews, soups, dips, and salads. You can use canned drained beans to cut down on cooking time, but you’ll save money cooking your own using dried beans. Add flavor by simmering dried beans with an onion, garlic, herbs, or dried chiles. For this recipe, I would cook them until they’re very soft and almost falling apart. Drain them and allow them to cool slightly before you blend up the dip, and save the bean liquid. Use it instead of the water.  For more information on the health benefits and instructions on cooking dried beans, see Health Benefits of Nutritious Beans.

There are two things I like to have in my refrigerator at all times – hummus and lemons or limes.  In the past, I have shared several hummus recipes including Black Bean Hummus. I have several friends who cannot eat hummus because of the tahini (crushed sesame seeds). For those friends, I make black bean dip.

Black Bean Hummus
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Dessert Chocolate Hummus

Carol 12 Comments

Today’s recipe is a dessert that is not only delicious but also is packed with nutrients. I know it sounds ridiculous but hummus can go sweet with chocolate. Adding dark chocolate to hummus creates a marvelous spread or dip that can be used for a snack, lunch, or even dessert. Dark chocolate contains powerful antioxidants, can help lower blood pressure, raise HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), while decreasing LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, and may even improve brain function. Hummus is also a healthy option, as beans are high in fiber and protein. According to Spoon University, chocolate hummus is similar in texture to the hazelnut spread, Nutella, but with one-third of the calories and sugar. You can use classic chickpeas or garbanzo beans, black beans, or cannelini beans. Chickpeas are good for you helping to control blood sugar and cholesterol. Use it as a spread on toast or bread, use it as a dip with fresh fruit or graham crackers, or enjoy it as a pudding. Chocolate hummus is perfect with fresh fruit, and I’d start with strawberries, bananas, or even apple slices.

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5 Foods to Boost Energy

Carol 6 Comments

The time I usually have an energy drop in in late afternoon. I remember buying junk food from a machine too many times when I was working. Unfortunately the pick-me-up is short-lived as it often is followed by a sugar crash. Choosing healthy, energizing foods such as lean sources of protein, high fiber, whole grain or complex carbohydrates, and natural sugars are more effective at putting the pep back in your slow step.

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Chocolate Muffins With Sweet Potato

Carol 28 Comments

Cupcakes vs. Muffins

Today let’s discuss the difference between cupcakes and muffins. Cupcakes and muffins can look very similar, but the difference lies in the way they are made, and their ingredients. Cupcakes are just small cakes. They are made like a cake by creaming together butter and sugar and mixing in eggs then flour. They can have candy added and nearly always have icing on top.

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Savory Zucchini Muffins

Carol 26 Comments

Several years ago I shared a traditional sweet zucchini bread. As much as I like that, sometimes I want something different. Today’s recipe is a moist, savory muffin that’s perfect at breakfast, lunch, or dinner time. The muffins are filled with zucchini, onion, garlic, roasted red pepper, ground Parmesan. and sun-dried tomatoes. They’re vegetarian.

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Apple Peanut Butter Toast

Carol 20 Comments

I like toast for breakfast – all kinds of toast. I’ve shared avocado toast ideas, roasted beets & feta toast, and  even apple yogurt toast with dates.  Today I’m sharing a very easy breakfast or snack idea that is really tasty and nutritious, apple peanut butter toast.  It will please both children and adults with its taste and crunch. It’s also a great after school snack when the kids get home.

 

 

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