It’s 10:00 in the morning, and you have been at work or school for two hours and you get that “I can’t wait for lunch” stomach rumble. You look in your drawer and see an old bag of potato chips and think to yourself, “there must be a better way”…and there IS!
You can satisfy those between meal cravings with clean and healthy snacks without, and this is important, without sacrificing flavor! Just as we discussed clean breakfast ideas last month, there are a lot of clean snack ideas that will get you through those tummy rumbles.
Here are just a few simple ideas for you that we are sure will delight even the biggest junk-food junkie out there:
Baked Apple Chips
Who wouldn’t love to grab a piece of apple pie for that mid-morning snack? Well, baked apple chips are healthier for you, easier to much on and you can make them ahead of time and keep them in individual zip-lock bags for handy snacking. And making them couldn’t be simpler or easier on the budget!
Here’s how: Take two apples (your favorite variety is fine), core them and slice them thinly. Then place the slices on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet, sprinkle with cinnamon and bake them in a preheated 275° oven for an hour. Then turn the slices over and bake for another hour. Check on them though, you don’t want them to burn! Once they look crispy, take them out and let them cool. Easy-peasy and oh so clean and healthy!
Peanut Butter and Honey Oat Bars
Love peanut butter? Love granola bars? Here is a low-sugar recipe that will soothe the snacking beast in you!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1/3 cup peanut butter (organic is the best)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 cups oats
- 1/2 cup chopped honey roasted peanuts
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 300° F
- Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper – be sure the paper hangs over the sides of the pan
- Put honey, coconut oil and peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 second – stir until the mixture gets runny and the peanut butter is all melted and blended – you may need another 20 second or so to accomplish this – depends on your microwave
- Mix in the vanilla and cinnamon
- Add oats and peanuts and mix it all up so the honey/peanut butter mixture coats everything.
- Pour into prepared pan and press down with the back of a spoon. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the mixture is lightly browned.
- When you remove the pan from the oven, press down again to be sure the oats are pressed firmly. Let cool slightly and take the mixture out by holding onto the parchment paper (see why we said to leave it hanging over the edges?)
- Cut into 16 bars and cool completely until the bars are hardened at room temperature.
- Store in air tight container in the refrigerator.
Strawberry-Banana Protein Smoothie
If you are lucky enough to be snacking where there is a blender, or for those days off from work or school, how about trying a Strawberry-Banana Protein Smoothie? Just put all of the following ingredients into a blender, blend until creamy and enjoy a clean, healthy, filling and yummy snack:
- 1 large frozen banana, which you have sliced into 1” pieces before freezing
- 6 large frozen strawberries
- 1 cup skim milk (you can use almond milk, too)
- 1/2 cup plain, fat-free Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup wheat germ
- You can also add a 1/2 “ slice of fresh ginger root if you like!
Thank you so much to www.skinnyms.com for these amazing recipes, and there are more like them on their site!
Don’t forget, though, to start each day with your great oral hygiene routine – imagine how much better everything will taste with freshly brushed teeth and with a clean tongue thanks to your TUNG Brush and Gel!
Oh, and by the way, every once in a while, go ahead and enjoy that old bag of potato chips you found in the drawer; just check the expiration date before you do – otherwise, they may just make a great snack for the birds you find on your daily walk! 😉
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