Showing posts with label Sweet Snacks and Desserts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sweet Snacks and Desserts. Show all posts

Monday, January 14, 2019

Healthy No-Bake Cookies




No-bake cookies were a favorite of mine as a girl. I wanted to share this childhood favorite with my kids but most no-bake cookie recipes call for a whopping two cups of sugar! This grown up healthier version tweaks the ingredients a tad to make them better for you. Instead of all that sugar these cookies are sweetened with only 1/3 cup honey. I think this recipe tastes just as good as the original except that I feel better feeding it to my family.

We have a peanut allergy in our house so instead of the the traditional peanut butter I use sunflower seed butter and we like them just as much that way. I also like to use a combination of old fashioned oats and quick oats to add some variety to the texture. If you only have one or the other on hand just use what you have and they will still be delicious.





Healthy No-Bake Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup sunflower seed butter or other nut butter
1/3 cup raw honey
1/4 cup grass fed butter
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup quick oats
3 tablespoons cocoa powder

Directions:

1. Over medium heat combine sunflower seed butter (or other nut butter), honey, butter, and coconut oil in a medium size sauce pan. Sir until warm and well combined. 

2. Remove from heat and immediately stir in chocolate chips, allowing them to melt. Add the oats and cocoa powder and stir until well combined. 

3. On a parchment lined sheet drop heaping spoonfuls into a cookie shape or alternatively add the cookie mixture into mini parchment lined muffin cups. Place in refrigerator until set. Store leftover cookies in fridge.



-Amy


Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Lemon Chia Seed Pudding (Dairy free)


While walking through Costco one day I spied a large bag of organic chia seeds at a great price so I added it to my cart. When I got home and put them away in the cupboard I began to have a little bit of buyers remorse. Why on earth did I buy such a big bag of chia seeds? I only occasionaly used them. Could I really get through that whole bag? I began to worry that they would end up going to waste. Then . . . enter chia seed pudding! I love this delicious creamy pudding in all its varieties, and I especially love how easy it is to whip up. Thanks to chia seed puddings I am happy to say I made it through my entire bag of chia seeds and am now well into my second bag. My go-to chia seed pudding recipe is my (dairy free) One Minute Chia Seed Pudding since I'm always oh-so-busy and it's oh-so fast to make. But my second favorite is this Lemon Chia Seed Pudding. The flavor is so light and fresh and summery. When I have an extra lemon on hand and an extra minute or two I love to make this easy snack.

But why eat chia seeds? Because they are a super food! These little seeds are packed full of fiber, protein, and my very favorite mineral, magnesium! But there is so much more to these super seeds than that. Read more about their health benefits here.

I highly recommend using Aroy-d coconut milk when making this pudding. It's free of added synthetic vitamins, gums, thickeners, and fillers. It's just pure coconut milk with the most incredible taste.

If the lemon you're using is a bit larger be sure to add the 6 tablespoons of chia seeds to make it a bit thicker--otherwise 5 tablespoons should be enough. If you don't have any turmeric feel free to leave it out. It's mostly added to give your lemon pudding that pretty yellow color. It still tastes amazingly good without it.





Lemon Chia Seed Pudding
nourishing-bites.blogspot.com/

Ingredients:

1 cup Aroy-d coconut milk
5-6 tablespoons chia seeds
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Zest of one lemon 
Juice from one medium/small lemon
1/4 teaspoon turmeric (optional for color)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in glass bowl and whisk together. Cover and chill in refrigerator 6-8 hours or overnight. Serve cold.

Printable recipe


-Amy


Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Nourishing Hot Chocolate (Dairy free, GAPS, Paleo)


Nothing feels better when you're chilled to the bone on a cold winter day than to drink a nice hot cup of cocoa.  It's amazing how a hot drink can warm you up and make you feel so much better. There are a lot of things I like about this recipe but what I love the most is that it isn't full of sugar. When my kids come in from playing in the snow I hate to hand them mugs of hot chocolate filled with sugar day after day. That's definitely not what their little bodies need to keep them healthy over the long winter. This recipe is sweetened with a little bit of honey so you can fill good about letting your kids drink it all season long.

I also love how rich and creamy this cocoa is and that it keeps me feeling full for hours thanks to a spoonful of grass-fed butter and coconut oil I throw in there. (And in case you've heard the rumors that coconut oil isn't healthy you just *might* have been hoodwinked. I love what this cardiologist says about coconut oil and what this researcher shares about who funded the studies that the American Heart Association based their claims on. Hmmm...)

This recipe is also incredibly flexible. Allergic to eggs? Leave it out. Not a huge fan of dark chocolate? Add less cocoa powder. Don't have any coconut oil on hand? Just double the butter. Do what works for you. Chances are you won't go wrong.





Nourishing Hot Chocolate
nourishing-bites.blogspot.com


Ingredients:

1 cup boiling water
1-2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon grass-fed butter
1 tablespoon gelatin (I like Vital Proteins)
1 tablespoon honey or pure maple syrup
1 egg (preferably pastured)
small pinch of sea salt (I like Real Salt)


Directions:

1. Add all ingredients into blender pouring boiling water in last. Blend until smooth. Poor into mugs and enjoy. Serves 2.


Printable recipe


-Amy


Wednesday, October 18, 2017

One Minute Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding (Dairy free)




OK. So maybe that recipe title is a little misleading. While this chia seed pudding won't be ready to eat in one minute you will be done measuring and mixing the ingredients and already have it chilling in the fridge by the time a minute's up. And if you're as busy as I am (which I'm sure you are) six hours will fly right by and you'll soon be licking your bowl of chia seed pudding clean.

Besides the fact that this pudding is so creamy and delicious I love the fact that it is so, SO easy to whip up. This busy mama of five can easily hold a baby while stirring together these four simple ingredients, pop it in the fridge, and by early afternoon have a healthy, energizing, nutrient dense snack to pull out of the fridge to reward myself for all the hard work I've done that day. You can't beat that!

My favorite coconut milk to use in this recipe (and almost any recipe calling for coconut milk) is Aroy-d. I love the flavor and that there are no additives or gums. One box of Aroy-d milk equals one cup which makes it perfect for this recipe--no measuring required--just open up the box and pour.





One Minute Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding
nourishing-bites.blogspot.com

Ingredients:

1 cup full fat coconut milk (I love the Aroy-d brand)
4 tablespoons chia seeds
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Fresh or frozen fruit to garnish (optional)

Directions:

Whisk together first four ingredients in medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate six hours or overnight. Serve with fresh or frozen fruit if desired.


Printable recipe


-Amy


Monday, May 8, 2017

Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes (Gluten Free, GAPS, Paleo)




I can't believe my two year old is about to have a birthday! She's going to be three! That's definitely not baby territory anymore. It's amazing how time flies. I was going through some old pictures from her first birthday and realized I never posted my recipe for these dreamy orange creamsicle cupcakes. They were a hit with everyone, especially the birthday girl!

Don't let the long list of instructions scare you off. These cupcakes are very easy to throw together and the results were very much worth the effort.




Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
nourishing-bites.blogspot.com

Ingredients:

1/2 cup coconut flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon Real Salt
4 eggs, preferably pastured
1/3 cup coconut oil or butter, softened
1/2 cup honey
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon orange zest

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin pan with liners. (I love the parchment paper kind!)

2. Combine dry ingredients in a medium size bowl. Add wet ingredients and whisk to blend.

3. Fill cupcake liners with batter about 3/4 of the way full. Makes about eight cupcakes. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool and frost.


Orange Creamsicle Frosting
nourishing-bites.blogspot.com

Ingredients: 

1/4 cup honey
2 egg whites
13 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon Real Salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon orange zest

Directions: 

1. Heat honey in a small saucepan over medium heat until mixture bubbles and darkens, about 5-10 minutes.

2. Place egg whites in a small bowl. Add salt. Whip on medium speed using a hand mixer. When the eggs start to froth increase speed to high and slowly pour in the heated honey with a thin and steady stream over the course on about one minute.

3. Continue mixing on high as the frosting fluffs and thickens to become glossy and stiff.

4. Reduce mixer speed to medium-low and add butter a few tablespoons at a time, mixing well after each addition. Once all butter has been added, whisk in vanilla and orange zest.

5. Continue beating on low speed until all air bubbles are eliminated, about 2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl, and continue beating until frosting is completely smooth. Keep frosting at room temperature if using the same day.




-Amy


Monday, January 9, 2017

Chocolate Gummies




I'll admit.  We're kind of obsessed with gummies at out house. I mean if you saw the shelf stuffed full of silicone molds in my kitchen dedicated solely for the purpose of making gummies your jaw might just drop. I have molds for just about every holiday now, plus everyday any-ol'-occasion molds. There's a lot of them. But they're such a fun snack--the kids love them, they're easy to whip up, and they're oh so good for you.

The health benefits of gelatin are numerous! Did you know gelatin can improve digestion, help maintain healthy bones and joints, help you sleep better, and lifts your mood? And as an added bonus, it nourishes your skin, nails, and hair!

Better pop one more gummy in your mouth! And then pass one out to the kids. They deserve a healthy treat too!




Chocolate Gummies

Ingredients:

1 cup full-fat coconut milk (from a can--not a carton, unless it's this kind--which is my favorite!)
3-4 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons grass-fed gelatin
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Add coconut milk, honey, and cocoa powder into sauce pan and stir until well combined.

2. Heat mixture over medium heat until warm. Slowly poor in gelatin while whisking briskly.

3. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Poor into glass dish or silicone mold and refrigerate several hours until set.

4. Remove gummies and store in an airtight container in fridge.

Printable Recipe


-Amy

Looking for more yummy gummy recipes? Try these too!







Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Pumpkin Pie Custard


I love custard! Loooove it!

I loved it so much as a girl that when I was just nine years old my mother taught me how to make a simple four ingredient custard using the classic red and white gingham Better Homes and Garden cookbook. I learned pretty quick how to make it all by myself and loved that I could whip up one of my favorite treats all on my own. It's still one of my favorite recipes. Since my nine-year-old baking days I've branched out a little with my custard recipes. One of the favorites around our home now is this Pumpkin Pie Custard. I usually make up a double batch every week. My kids love to eat it as a morning snack and this past summer we found we loved the leftover custard in the fridge for a quick and easy breakfast. I love the pumpkin flavor blended with that classic eggy-custardy flavor. It's the perfect combination

This recipe is easy to whip together, the kids love it, and it's full of good for you ingredients. You really can't go wrong with this one!





Pumpkin Pie Custard
nourishingbites.blogspot.com

Ingredients:

4 eggs
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), melted and cooled
1 3/4 cup pumpkin puree (if using canned pumpkin this should equal one full can)
1/3 - 1/2 cup honey or pure maple syrup (I stick with 1/3 cup but you can up it for a sweeter taste)
1/2 cup milk kefir, plain whole milk yogurt, or coconut milk (optional)
1/3 cup almond flour (I like Wellbee's for it's fine texture)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon Real Salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. Add eggs to large bowl and whisk. Add remaining ingredients and stir until well combined.

3. Pour mixture into a buttered 8 x 8 baking dish. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Best served cold.

Printable recipe


-Amy


Friday, June 24, 2016

Healthy Snack Ideas for the Road




I'm sure we all know how it is when we're traveling . . . we load up on snacks and junk food. This year I'm trying to leave out the junk and have come up with some easy healthy snacks to take along with us on the road.


String cheese -- My kids love the Kraft Twist-ums cheese where you get mozzarella and cheddar twisted together.

Blue Diamond almonds -- We're a peanut free home and that's why we love Blue Diamond almonds. They're one of the few nuts that are completely peanut free. They're also packed full of vitamins and minerals and are high in protein. They make a great salty snack and my kids LOVE 'em.

Dried fruit -- This is what we call "real fruit snacks". We like raisins, craisins and apricots but we love dried mangos and pineapple.

Bite sized fruit -- Grapes and blueberries are great for the car. They can be popped in your mouth and are mess free--well, depending on who's
eating them . . .

Carrot sticks -- We can't forget the vegetables--and mini carrots are always a popular choice.

Crackers -- I've always loved Annie's Homegrown and we've recently become fans of the new Annie's Snack Mix. The kids love it, and I love that it's all natural and organic. The best part is that it's very affordable too. I stock up on boxes of this stuff when they go on sale at Target for $2. That's a price you can't beat!

Homemade fruit gummies -- These little jello bites are perfect for popping in your mouth. They're sweet and tangy and have a little fat to keep you feeling satisfied. My favorite recipes are these Lemon Gummies and these Coconut Lime Gummies. They're simple enough to make ahead of time and a fun snack to pull out when everyone is in need of a treat.

Granola bar bites -- This is another great snack to make ahead of time (or have the kids make them) to pull out when you're getting the munchies. Find the recipe here

    . . . But you have to have a little junk food too. My kids already know we never go on a trip without licorice. Yum Earth is our favorite brand lately.

    What are your favorite healthy snacks for the road?

    -Amy


    Monday, April 11, 2016

    Melt in Your Mouth Pumpkin Pie Bars (Grain-free, Egg-free, Paleo, GAPS)


    I'm always on the search for healthy desserts and nutrient dense snacks that will fill my kids hungry tummies right up.  This recipe fits the bill for both.  These pumpkin bars by themselves make a great snack but by adding a few chocolate chips to the recipe I've tricked my kids into thinking they're now dessert.  Personally my favorite way to eat them is by ditching the chocolate chips and sprinkling a few chopped pecans on top. Sometimes I will even sprinkle three-fourths of the pan with chocolate chips and the other quarter with pecans so everyone is happy.

    Not only are these pumpkin bars easy to whip together and free of refined sugar but they taste amazing!  They are so moist and light they practically melt in your mouth.  There's no reason to wait until fall to make these dreamy bars.  They are the perfect treat any time of year. 





    Pumpkin Pie Bars
    nourishing-bites.blogspot.com

    Ingredients:

    3/4 cup creamy almond butter
    1/2 cup pumpkin puree
    1 well-ripened banana (should have lots of brown spots)
    1/4 cup raw honey or pure maple syrup
    1 tablespoon coconut flour
    1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
    1 teaspoon cinnamon
    1 teaspoon baking soda
    1/4 teaspoon Real Salt
    1/4 cup mini chocolate chips or chopped pecans (optional)


    Directions:

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 8 x 8 glass dish.
    2. Mash banana in a food processor or stand mixer. Add almond butter, pumpkin, maple syrup, and vanilla and mix until well combined.
    3. Add remaining ingredients, mix until smooth.
    4. Poor batter into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle chocolate chips or pecans on top if using. Bake for 30 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.

    Enjoy every delicious bite!

    Printable recipe


    -Amy


    Tuesday, February 23, 2016

    Chocolate Chip Cookies (grain-free, egg-free, refined sugar-free, Paleo, GAPS)





    We're in crazy special diet mode at our house right now trying to heal some food intolerance. Between my four kids there's at least one of them who can't have peanuts, gluten, dairy, and eggs. This makes it tricky when trying to cook for a family of six.  There's always someone who can't eat something, or so it seems.  Luckily I've been able to track down some recipes that fit the bill for everyone.  These Chocolate Chip Cookies are a hit and have become a favorite treat.  They are grain-free, egg-free, Paleo, refined sugar free, and GAPS friendly.  I love that the ingredients are simple and can be whipped together in minutes.

    Just look at these sweet morsels.  Don't they look amazing?  Let me tell you, they are soft, chewy, moist and delicious! 100% kid approved!





    Chocolate Chip Cookies
    nourishing-bites.blogspot.com

    Ingredients:

    1/4 cup raw honey
    1/4 cup butter, softened
    1/4 teaspoon baking soda
    1/4 teaspoon Real Salt
    1/4 teaspoon vanilla
    mini chocolate chips (optional)


    Directions:

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

    2. Measure ingredients into a medium sized bowl and whisk together until well combined.

    3. Scoop tablespoon size balls onto parchment lined baking sheet.  Flatten tops slightly with back of spoon.

    4. Bake for 6-8 minutes or until cookies are slightly brown around edges.  Allow to cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes.  These store great in the freezer, but I doubt you'll have any left to freeze!



    -Amy

    Wednesday, August 5, 2015

    Healthy Dark Chocolate Fudgesicles


    Our summers here are hot, sweaty and sticky.  Yuck!  That's one thing this California raised girl dislikes most about the mid-west -- humidity!  I depend heavily on cool treats to help me get through the hot summers.  These dark chocolate fudgesicles have become one of my favorites.  We make a lot of homemade popsicles and I've found a lot of them turn out icy.  The secret ingredient to keeping these popsicles smooth and soft is gelatin!  It's amazing the difference a little gelatin can make.  Go ahead and give these a try.  I just know you'll the the rich chocolaty flavor and the smooth creamy texture.




    Dark Chocolate Fudgesicles
    nourishing-bites.blogspot.com
    (adapted from this recipe)

    1 1/4 cup full fat coconut milk
    2 pastured egg yolks
    1/2 cup honey
    dash of Real Salt
    1 1/2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin (I use this kind)
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, roughly chopped

    1. Soften the gelatin by placing it in a small bowl with the vanilla.

    2. Warm the coconut milk in a pot over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stir occasionally and do not let boil.  Meanwhile mix the egg yolk, honey, and salt in a small bowl.  Slowly poor the hot coconut milk into the egg mixture, mixing continuously to temper the eggs.

    3. Pour the mixture back into the pot and continue to cook on medium heat for about five minutes, stirring constantly.  Do not allow the mixture to boil.

    4.  Pour the gelatin mixture into the pot and whisk vigorously until the gelatin has dissolved, about two minutes.

    5. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate until melted and smooth.  Let pudding cool at room temperature about 20 minutes and then pour into molds.  Place in freezer for up to six hours or until firm.

    Monday, March 23, 2015

    Lemon Lover Lemon Bars (Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Paleo)


    Sometimes I think my mom and oldest daughter are identical twins fifty years apart.  My daughter is like a mini-me of my mother.  My daughter is very smart.  She is studious and does very well in school.  Teachers love her.  She is also very mature for her age.  I've often said she was born grown up.  She's super helpful and responsible around our home.  I don't know what I would do without all her help.  It's been a lifesaver on more than one occasion.  I know all those things could have been said about my mother as a child too.  The other day when I saw my daughter stack all her clean laundry up on her head and across her arms so that she could take it to her room to put away all in one trip I had to laugh because I heard stories of my mother doing that same thing as a child.  They are both the oldest children in their family.  They both play the piano very well.  They both don't care for chocolate.  They both love lemon. I could go on and on.  I dedicate these lemon bars to them.

    These are not your typical lemon bars.  The filling is extra tart, but not overly so.  The sweet nutty crust helps balance out the tart filling and is subtly crunchy and textured.  I'd say these are like your typical lemon bars all grown up.  They are for mature taste buds, delicious, and leave you feeling satisfied after just one bar.




    Lemon Lover Lemon Bars
    nourishing-bites.blogspot.com

    For crust:
    1 cup raw pecans
    1/4 cup organic coconut oil
    2 tablespoons honey
    1 tablespoon coconut flour
    1 egg

    For lemon topping:
    1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 medium lemons)
    1/4 cup honey
    1/4 cup coconut oil
    dash sea salt
    3 eggs

    Instruction for the crust:
    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    2. Pulse pecans in food processor until finely ground.  Do not over mix or you'll end up with pecan butter.
    3. In a medium bowl mix pecans with coconut oil, honey, coconut flour, and egg.
    4. Line a 8x8 glass dish with parchment paper and spread your mixture evenly on the bottom of dish, pressing down with the back of a fork to make it nice and compact.
    5. Bake for 15 minutes or until the edges turn a light golden brown.  Set aside to cool.

    Instruction for the filling:
    1. In a small sauce pan whisk together lemon juice, honey, coconut oil, and salt until well combined and warm. 
    2. In a medium bowl crack eggs, and whisk together with a fork.  To temper the eggs slowly pour a 1/2 cup of the lemon mixture into the eggs while mixing briskly.  Add egg mixture back to pan. Whisk together over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture starts to boil and thickens.  Continue to stir for one minute more.  Once filling is nice and thick remove from heat and let cool. 
    3.  Once cool spread the topping over the crust.  Cover with plastic wrap and allow to set up in fridge for four hours before serving.



    -Amy


    Monday, March 9, 2015

    Nutty Peppermint Chocolate Bites


    We don't eat a lot of dessert at out house but Sunday is always dessert day.  Always.  It's become kind of a tradition.  My kids get to take turns picking the dessert and helping to make it.  They love when it's their turn.  We've been trying a lot of new recipes lately and have discovered some new favorites.  These nutty peppermint chocolate bites picked by my six year old were a huge hit.  My kids were literately jumping up and down with excitement over them. This dessert did not disappoint. These little chocolate bites have everything packed into it.  Rich chocolate, chewy coconut, pecans (my favorite nutty flavor) and just the right hint of mint.




    Nutty Peppermint Chocolate Bites
    nourishing-bites.blogspot.com

    1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons organic coconut oil, melted
    1/4 cup cacao powder
    1/4 cup almond butter
    2-3 tablespoons raw honey
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (I like this kind)
    pinch salt (I like this kind)
    1/2 cup pecans
    1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (I like this kind)


    1. Combine coconut oil, cacao powder, almond butter, honey, vanilla, peppermint, and salt in a double boiler.  Heat until well combined, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.

    2. Chop pecans in a food processor.  Add pecans and coconut to chocolate mixture.  Stir to combine.

    3. Pour mixture into silicone molds.  Place in freezer until set.  Remove from molds and store in airtight container in freezer.


    -Amy

    Thursday, February 26, 2015

    Simple and Healthy Dr. Seuss Lunch


    March 2nd is Dr. Seuss birthday and our family has a tradition of doing something fun to celebrate.  This years I'm going to send my kids to school with a surprise Dr. Seuss lunch.



    To make these Cat in the Hat string cheeses I simply drew right on the plastic with red and black sharpie markers.  Whenever I'm at Costco I pick up a bag of their organic string cheese.  It's such a great price and makes a quick and easy snack.


    This cutie Lorax came together quickly with two googly eyes and a felt mustache.


    I popped up some organic popcorn in coconut oil and sprinkled it with a little Real Salt to make these cute "hop on pop-corn" bags.  (Find the printable for the bags here.)


    I hope my kids get as much of a kick out of their Dr. Seuss lunch as I had making it!

    -Amy


    Monday, February 16, 2015

    Kid Approved Healthy Coconut Lime Gummies


    Homemade fruit snacks, or gummies as we like to call them at our house, are a very popular treat. I've experimented with quite a few recipes over the years but the lemon ones have been a consistent favorite.  That is until we tried these coconut lime gummies. They were a hit with everyone.  Even my pickiest eater loved them.  I love their unique flavor.  Mildly sweet and a little bit tangy. They have just the right subtle combination that we just can't get enough of.

    Not only are these gummies super yummy and fun (we make our gummies into all kinds of shapes, from hearts to Lego's to pumpkins) but they contain great health benefits.  Lemons and Limes help our bodies detox.  Coconut milk is a great source of healthy fat.  Gelatin is a wonderful source of protein, great for our skin, aids in digestion, helps build strong bones, and so much more. When looking at which kind of gelatin to buy remember that healthy food comes from healthy animals. That is why I use this kind of gelatin.




    Coconut Lime Gummies
    nourishing-bites.blogspot.com

    1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
    1/2 cup full fat coconut milk (I like this kind)
    3-4 tablespoons honey (preferably raw)
    2-3 tablespoons gelatin (I like this kind)

    Whisk together juice, milk, and honey in a pot.  Heat on stove top until just warm.  Slowly pour in gelatin while whisking vigorously.  Stir until gelatin is well combined.  Pour into molds.  Place in fridge for 1-2 hours or until set.


    -Amy


    Monday, March 10, 2014

    Rainbow Fruit Kabobs




    These colorful fruit kabobs have become a fun tradition at our house for St. Patrick's day.  Don't they look so bright and festive?  My kids love them and look forward to them every year.  So, forget the green dyed foods this year.  These yummy fruit snacks are a treat all by themselves!

    -Amy


    Monday, October 28, 2013

    Healthy Halloween Treat for Kids


    With all the candy that comes with the month of October, how about a healthy Halloween treat?  I think we need some of those too.

    The other day I picked up some mandarin orange cups from the store and with some inspiration from Aimee I created these festive little orange jack-o-lantern snacks.  Aren't they cute?


























    A sharpie marker is perfect for drawing on the little faces.  I'll be serving these for lunch on Halloween next week.  I think my kids will love them.
    Another idea is to draw a little face right on the peel of an orange or clementine like Ann did here.  Great idea!

    So, are you ready for Halloween?  Costumes all done?  Or are you still finding time to squeeze in the finishing touches?


    -Amy


    Monday, October 14, 2013

    Healthy Version Homemade Crunchy Caramel Popcorn


    Every year around Halloween my mom made caramel popcorn when I was growing up.  I love this stuff!  I made it myself the first few years my husband and I were married, but since our kids came along there already seems to be so many sweets during the holiday season to add one more thing.  Last year though I broke down and made some.  My daughter informed me that she would not like it but after convincing her to take one bite she was hooked and we sat there together and ate half the bag between the two of us.  Oops! 

    There are two kinds of people--those that like their caramel popcorn soft and sticky and those that like it crunchy. I like mine crunchy. I love that this recipe uses no refined sweeteners and I also love that it tastes just like the stuff I ate growing up.

    Be careful though.  This stuff is seriously addictive.






    Crunchy Caramel Popcorn
    nourishing-bites.blogspot.com

    3/4 cup popcorn kernels, popped
    1/2 cup butter (preferably grass fed)
    1 cup sucanat
    1/4 cup honey

    1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    1 teaspoon vanilla

    Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Melt the butter, sucanat, and honey in a small pot.  Bring to a boil and simmer for five minutes, stirring regularly.  Meanwhile, place the popcorn in a large bowl with plenty of room to stir (you may need to use two bowls).  Once the mixture has simmered for the allotted time add baking soda and vanilla.  Mixture will become foamy.  Remove from heat and pour over popcorn.  Stir until well coated.  Place popcorn onto two jelly roll pans in a single layer.  Place in preheated oven for 40-50 minutes.  Caramel will harden completely once cool.  Remove from pan and place in air tight container.  Enjoy!



    -Amy


    Monday, August 12, 2013

    Sweet (or Sour) Fruit Snacks


    Maybe you've heard the buzz going around about artificial food dyes.  They've been linked to hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, aggressiveness, sleep problems, headaches, and allergic reactions, just to name a few.  Red 40, Red 3, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 are known carcinogens.  They cause cancer. And what does just about every kid friendly food on the market have in it?  You guessed right.  Food dyes!  Even plain ol' white marshmallows have them.  They are in everything!  That's no way to be feeding our future generation.  

    What's even more frustrating is that our very own American companies such as Kraft, Coca Cola, and Walmart have eliminated artificial food dyes from their products in the UK but not here in the U.S.  When a study in the UK, known as the Southampton Study, came out linking artificial food dyes and preservatives to hyperactivity in children these American companies in the UK jumped right on board eliminating food dyes from their products. But they did nothing here in the U.S.  So sad.  I have no doubt that change will be coming soon though.  Over that past few years I've seen more and more kid friendly foods from new companies popping up on the shelves without artificial food dyes.  Those are companies I'm willing to support.  I think it's just a matter of time before these big American companies make changes too.

    So how about a super simple, super nutritious, homemade treat your kids will love that's free of all the artificial stuff?  These homemade fruit snacks contain freshly squeezed fruit juice, grass fed gelatin (which is great for your skin, aids in digestion and so much more), and honey.



    Sweet (or Sour) Fruit Snacks
    nourishing-bites.blogspot.com

    2/3 cup freshly squeezed citrus juice (orange juice for sweet gummies or lemon for sour gummies)
    6 tablespoons honey
    4-5 tablespoons grass fed gelatin (I like this kind)
    (optional: you can add 3-4 drops food grade orange oil to the sweet gummies for a stronger flavor)

    1. Combine juice, honey and gelatin in a pan over low heat. Stir until well combined and all gelatin lumps are dissolved.
      
    2.  Stir in orange oil now if adding.

    3.  Pour mixture into molds and place in the fridge for about 15 minutes.

    4. Once firm remove gummies from molds and store in an air tight container.  They will stay firm at room temperature once chilled and can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks.  If the weather is warm gummies will keep their texture better if stored in the fridge.

    Printable Recipe


    -Amy


    To learn more about the dangers of artificial food dyes see these great articles:
    Why Your Child Is Hyperactive (How ADHD is caused by artificial food flavors and colors)


    Monday, July 22, 2013

    Cooking Demo


    I love having my daughter home in the summer.  Or winter break, spring break, a long holiday weekend--I'll take her anytime I can get her.  I love having her around.  She's such a big help to me and we have so much fun together.  My two younger boys love it too.  She helps them out, plays with them, and keep them entertained.

    I will admit though that this girl has an appetite.  Always has.  So when she's home I feel like I spend a lot more time in the kitchen making meals and snacks.  She's always enjoyed helping me in the kitchen though and now that she's getting older and can read and follow a recipe she's having a lot more fun being independent in the kitchen.  She was so thrilled to whip up dessert for our family the other night all by herself. She made one of her favorite treats, Granola Bar Bites.  

    I'm out of town this week on vacation and won't be sharing a new recipe but please enjoy this cooking demo done by my seven year old.   Maybe it will inspire you to have your kids make you a treat for once!


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