Healthy Snack Bar

This delicious treat also doubles as a perfect snack or mini meal.  It is loaded with protein, fiber and healthy fats

 Ingredients
1 cup dry figs
 1 cup dates
 1/2 cup almonds, coarsely chopped
 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
 2 tbsp coconut oil 1
/2 teaspoon of vanilla



Directions
 Submerge dry fruit in boiling water and set aside for about 20 minutes until the fruit is very soft.
 Drain and place the fruits in a high speed blender.
 Process till you have a rather smooth and thick paste. Add 1 or 2 tbsp -- if needed to keep the blades moving, but don't let the mixture get liquid.
 Heat the coconut oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add the fruit paste and cook, stirring almost constantly, for 10 minutes.
Add the walnuts and cook, stirring, for another 10 minutes .
Grease a small plate and turn the fruit and nut mixture into it.
Using a spatula flatten the mixture.
Let mixture set. Then cut into squares.

Healty Back To School Snacks

FUN AFTER SCHOOL TREATS

With school almost back in session, It is time to think about what goes into those lunch boxes. Kids need healthy, fast snacks that will sustain their energy, appetite, and mood throughout their long days.

Healthy high quality snacks, that consist of powerful proteins, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats are a great strategy for regulating blood sugar, appetite and warding off those mid-afternoon meltdowns.

 The trap most parents fall into is not realizing the difference between a snack and a treat, or not being prepared enough to pack balanced snacks. A snack is merely a mini meal, meant to nourish your children.

So Plan ahead and have healthy snack choices on hand. The ice cream truck is a treat, not a snack and will not sustain or nourish your kids.

 Below are some of my favorite grab and go snacks, which should give you some ideas and help you plan ahead. I would love to hear your kids' favorite snacks!

 Apple or pears  rings with almond, peanut, cashew, or sunflower butter/ decorate with chips or raisins
 Lara bars- a great three ingredient snack bar
 Cottage cheese mixed with, berries, walnuts /almonds/flax seeds
 Hummus with carrot sticks/ sliced red/yellow/orange pepper
 Guacamole with carrot sticks/ sliced red/yellow/orange peppers
 Ricotta cheese mixed with cocoa powder, stevia, and vanilla extract topped with berries
 Hardboiled eggs with carrot and celery sticks and hummus
 Celery sticks with organic peanut butter or almond butter add raisins for kids
 Avocado slices wrapped in nitrate-free turkey breast
 A piece of sprouted grain, whole grain or pita with almond butter and bananas
 Fresh sliced pineapple with a handful of pistachio nuts 
A bowl of blueberries mixed with raw almonds Cottage cheese with cinnamon, apple slices, and walnuts
Organic cheese stick and carrots