Ready to go snacks

Snacky balls!!!! I know, not the best description. But they are tasty and perfect to have around for a quick pick me up.

Oats and any and everything else balls:

Base:

1.5 cups oats

1/4 cup raw honey warmed up for a few seconds

1 cup natural nut butter of choice ( I used a mix of pb and almond butter)

1/4 cup non fat powdered milk

dash salt and cinnamon

Then after that you can add anything you'd like.

I added:

1/4 cup raisins

2 TB. ground flax meal

2 TB. ground almond meal

1/4 cup dark chocolate chips The best part!!!!

Mix together and roll into balls. For best results resist temptation and let them sit in the fridge overnight before enjoying.

I like enjoying mine straight from the fridge so that they are nice and firm.

A little ball of heaven

Healthy no bake dough balls, and oh so yummy.

Crunchy peanut butter dough balls to be exact.

In a bowl mix:

1 cup nut butter of choice (I used Tj's all natural crunchy salted peanut butter)

1/2 cup non fat powdered milk

1/4 cup raw local honey

3 TB. raisins

3 TB. dark chocolate chips

Mix together, roll into balls and let sit on some parchment paper for 1 hour to let the balls firm up. I like my dough balls straight from the fridge, the texture is just like a peanut butter cup.

You can also take these to the next level and finish them by rolling am in coconut, drizzling with melted chocolate, or going all out and dipping the whole thing in melted chocolate, my personal favorite.

Oat cookies

Workout
I was planning on taking a rest day today. But when life becomes stressful the best thing to do is work it out. So after work I did a bootcamp workout targeting every muscle. Once I was done I felt so much better.

Healthy cookies

Sometimes I just start making something and make it up as I go. That's what I did with these cookies. I had originally planned on making some no bake dough ball cookies.

I started mixing the ingredients including finely chopped dates and coconut. I added some regular oats, quick cook oats, evaporated cane juice, salt, cinnamon, applesauce, dark chocolate chips, and olive oil.

Once it started coming together I realized that based on the consistency they would be better baked.

They need a little tweaking, but overall they were pretty tasty. Once I get them just right I will share the recipe. But I'm on the right track.

Enjoying the season

Who cares about dinner this week, it's all about holiday treats. Although one should still consume a balanced meal during these times of holiday cheer. Moving on to the good stuff. My next cookie that I made last Sunday was a Seven layer bar. I picked the recipe up from a local health food store, except these aren't exactly healthy. But they are lighter then the original seven layer bar recipes out there.

You can click on the recipe for details.

Before baking it was all gooey, sticky, and delicious.

And after baking it was a chocolate chip coconut heaven in a pan.

I sliced it into bars and popped it into the freezer for Christmas. I can't wait to try these one's, okay I already tried it. But I will take more, they are amazing.

Tips for staying healthy and stress free this week.
Just the usual tips, eat a balanced healthy meal. Eat a healthy snack before going to a party so you are not starving. Pace yourself, you don't have to stuff your face and feel uncomfortable. A little bite of this and that is probably enough, especially if you have a bite of everything. Make sure you continue your workouts, I myself have been to the gym everyday this week. Also take some time for yourself and make sure you get plenty of sleep.

Just relax and enjoy the season.

Cookie take two

This week is all about cookies and tonight is no exception. Yesterday one of the cookies that I made was a raspberry chocolate oatmeal bar. The recipe is from Cooking light and it's delicious.

Prior to baking.

After baking, all lovely and golden.

And big chocolate chips. Once they cooled completely I cut them into bars, wrapped them in parchment paper and foil, and froze them for Christmas Eve.

PB balls of delight

PEANUT BUTTER BALLS


Mix together
1 cup all natural peanut butter (I got it ground fresh today at a health food store)
1 cup non fat powdered milk
1/2 cup raw honey
Form into balls

Topped with a drizzle of melted dark chocolate. For the holiday's I cover these in the chocolate for a more decedent treat. Let them set in the fridge for 2 hrs before serving.

The leftover chocolate drizzle that landed on the parchment I gathered into pieces and I'm saving it to use later on. I'm sure I can find some use for these guys.

Toasted Macaroon's

Easter Macaroon's

Easter Macaroon's
2 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup evaporated cane juice (or sweetener of choice)
3 egg whites
dash salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
mix together
form in patty's and place on a non stick baking sheet
bake at 350 degree's for 20min.

Cookies

Healthy coconut cherry chocolate chip cookies
dry ingredients
1 cup Bob's old fashioned oats
2 cups Bob's whole wheat pastry flour
(I have found that pastry flour works best for baking, it's lighter)
1/4 cup evaporated cane juice
1/4 tsp. baking powder and baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
whisk together
in a separate bowl
2 TB. coconut oil
1/2 cup applesauce
1 TB. unsweetened coconut
1 egg and 1 egg white
1 TB. raw honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
mix together
fold in 1/4 cup dried cherries and 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
bake at 350 degrees on a baking sheet for 7 min

Oatie cakes

Scottish oat cakes with Bob's red mill Scottish oatmeal.
I used the recipe on the side of the package.