Today's National Caramel Popcorn Day, so why not indulge in some of this delicious Caramel Puff Corn? Enjoy!
Showing posts with label snacking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label snacking. Show all posts
It's funny how something so tiny can make such a difference in our diet. Nuts are giant powerhouses filled with essentials like protein, fiber, calcium, good fats, etc. Now, don't be scared off by their fat content. They can actually do more good for a slimming waist than harm when eaten in the right amounts and are fabulous for improving health on various levels. So let's break it down...
ALMONDS:
Almonds have the most nutrients and are great for the heart. Toasting improves their already fabulous taste and creates a slight texture. Also, throwing sliced or crushed almonds in any simple veggie dish adds a little sass to an otherwise boring side dish. Check out our Red Cabbage Salad.
Red Cabbage Salad
CASHEWS:
Cashews are pretty awesome for those of you watching your waistline and need a little burst of energy or crunch, but not the extra fat. They are also great in Asian-inspired dishes, like our Chicken Stir-Fry.
Chicken Stir-Fry
PEANUTS:
Peanuts are probably the most enjoyed of the nut family. Although contrary to popular belief, they are actually legumes! So, if you're trying to cut down on a bad snacking habit, then peanut butter should surprisingly become your best friend. A tablespoon of peanut butter can actually cut cravings and make you eat less throughout the day because your tummy will be satisfied. Or, if you're not a fan of that idea, then carrying around a bag of yummy trail mix will also do the trick.
PECANS:
Pecans have the highest fat content of all the nuts, but that is what gives them their incredibly smooth and rich taste. This is probably why they are so often used in baking. Try our playful Monkey Bread, or our more sophisticated Brie Apple Pinwheels.
 Monkey Bread |  Brie Apple Pinwheels |
PINE NUTS:
Although pine nuts can be a little pricey, they are quite delicious and are great for making sauces. Try our Artichoke Pesto Pasta, but if you're trying to squeeze your budget like most of us, then you can definitely substitute walnuts for an equally satisfying taste.
Artichoke Pesto Pasta
WALNUTS:
Walnuts are super healthy. You can thank their high Omega-3 fatty acid content for that, but watch out because it also makes them spoil faster. Walnuts are very versatile and can pretty much be used in anything from salads to main courses, like sprinkled on top of our Quinoa with Mushrooms and Pasta, or even desserts. They are also great for reducing strokes and heart attacks.
Quinoa with Mushrooms and Pasta
So, go crazy; go nuts! Add them to steamed veggies, put some crunch in your yogurt, be creative and coat your meat or fish for some extra pizzaz, or simply eat them just as they are!
Check out the latest Q&A in our new Glass of Sass column. We know our sassy fans have questions, and we've already poured a glass of wine so we're ready to fire off some answers!
Got a question of your own? Send it in and we will answer it in a future column!
I just read an article that said people on average gain 1-2 pounds during the holidays and another scary article that quoted the number at 7 pounds. Yikes! I know you're not a diet site but do you have some tips?
While we don't focus on dieting, we're flattered you still asked for our advice. Because we love nothing more than spouting out our knowledge after a glass (or two) of wine.
We could probably offer tips until you're blue in the face, but we'll stick to just three recommendations. First, check out our blog post on snacking. You'd be surprised how a little bit of smart snacking can actually help you lose weight. And it's way better than depriving yourself all day.
We also think you should check out Living the Thin Life, a weight loss and maintenance book by FunnySpoon contributor Elle Meyer (now available as an eBook too!). No one wants to feel like they're dieting for life, but realistically even the most in-shape person is going to face challenges that might cause them to put on a few pounds. Her book gives practical tips you might not have thought of before that can help you have a holiday full of joy, not extra weight.
Lastly, we do have a few light & healthy recipes on our site, so check them out for inspiration for your next dinner or holiday appetizer!
Well, it's 5 o'clock somewhere so we're gonna crack open (another) bottle. Happy Friday!
You're My Obsession
Posted by the jaynes family Labels: all-natural, light and healthy, no brainer tip, snacking, sweet stuff, who knew?We're starting a new series about our newest grocery store finds, incredible new shortcuts and, ultimately, our latest obsession.
This week we're spotlighting GREEK YOGURT. This likely isn't a new product to many of you - it's been around for quite some time. It has historically been something you found in health food and all-natural stores. I don't know about you, but that's not where I usually do my frenzied grocery shopping. However, recently it's popping up on the shelves of every grocery store around. There are a few brands from the health food stores (like Chobani) appearing in mainstream groceries and now, even better, our friends at Dannon and Yoplait are getting on the bandwagon, too.
What's the big deal with Greek Yogurt, you ask? Well, it's packed with protein. A typical container of Yoplait yogurt has 5 grams of protein while Greek yogurt contains 12. TWELVE grams of protein! That will keep you filled up and focused for hours.
Greek yogurt comes in tons of flavors (vanilla, honey, strawberry, blueberry, etc) and is perfect with granola and fruit for breakfast, a snack or lunch. And ... my picky 4 year old loves it. As a bonus: Chobani is developing a whole line of 'Carrie-friendly' flavors like chocolate. Whoops, I meant kid-friendly!
So, what are you waiting for? Give it a whirl. I'm sure you'll love it. And if not, you'll at least get a protein-packed snack instead of a handful of M&Ms.
Summer is officially here! We're sure you'd rather have fun in the sun than sweat in the kitchen, so beat the heat with stay-cool summer recipes, like these easy Red, White, and Blue Cookies:
Also try:
Pssst! This recipe idea was sent straight to the inboxes of our email subscribers, who get tips like this about twice a month from us. Want in? Sign up now!
Spring Break Eats!
Posted by Vicki Labels: easy recipes, light and healthy, parties and entertaining, snackingSpring Break is right around the corner! We're excited for the time away from school and work, but even more excited that warm, sunny days will soon be here. Check out our tips below to ensure you have a fabulous week!
Ready for the Beach
These simple meals and tips will help you get bathing suit-ready in a flash:
Breakfast Burritos, done right, are super low in calories and high in protein. And they're not just for breakfast anymore! Great for the week prior to a beach vacation to help shed a few unwanted pounds.
Mommy's Mushroom Pizza allows you the guilty pleasure of pizza but won't prevent you from slipping into your shorts!- Reduce bloat by cutting back on sodium. Sodium hides in many foods we think are low-cal, like diet soda, teriyaki sauce, and pickles. It acts like a magnet to water, leaving you bloated after what you thought was a healthy meal! Get rid of the water weight with these easy tips and you'll feel a lot better on the beach!
Hanging Out With The Kids
Got the kids home for an activity-filled week? For quick meals on go, try these:
Turkey Wraps are perfect for a day on the go. Make them in the morning and you've got lunch at the ready - tastier than an expensive lunch out and better for you than the hotdog stand!
Chicken Salad with Melbas are super easy to make! Toss the Tupperware in your bag along with a baggie of melbas and pair with some grapes or an apple. Now you've got a hearty snack to carry you through an afternoon at the beach or zoo.
These Cocoa Krispie Bites are scrumptious! And fun for the kids to help make, too (read: not too messy)!- Check out these healthy snacks to keep the kids (and you) fueled up for the week.
Party Time!
No exciting Spring Break plans yet? Have an impromptu party to celebrate spring! These simple recipes will help you throw together a party in less than 30 minutes.
Fiesta Dip is perfect for a party - great with crackers, veggies or bread. And literally takes 4 minutes to make!
Make a double batch of these Salami Pickle Wraps because your guests will be back for seconds and thirds!
The Hula Dancer is the perfect spring party cocktail! It's light, refreshing and makes you wanna dance!
Whatever your spring break plans, we hope you're warm, sunny and feeling healthy!!
Easy Ways To Change Your Snacking Habits
Posted by Vicki Labels: guest bloggers, light and healthy, snackingHealthy snacking isn't as hard as you think!
Replace:
- Popcorn with nuts. Kick that popcorn habit and initiate movie nights with bowls of nuts and raisins instead!
- Glass of coke with a glass of chocolate milk, for that sweet tooth. Even little changes make a difference.
- Chips and dip with veggies and dip. Experiment with different veggies and different dips and find your favorite! The list of possible combinations is really long.
- Chocolate cupcakes with fruit. For those chocolate addicts, you can even dip fruit in chocolate and it's still an improvement (provided responsible dipping!)
- Candy with sweet-flavored yogurt. Coconut yogurt for those Bounty bar lovers, caramel/vanilla-flavored yogurt for the Mars and Milky Way bar lovers, cherry yogurt for those Twizzler fans etc. Yogurt can even help replace that soft spot for muffins. Blueberry yogurt for blueberry muffin lovers, apple yogurt for those apple-cinnamon muffin lovers and with a pinch of cinnamon you won’t even realize a difference! And if you’re not the yogurt type:
- Chocolate candy bars with fruit candy bars. Fruit bars are still sweet enough to feed that sweet craving and give you that energy boost you need every afternoon.
- PB & J with PB celery sticks. The most important ingredient in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is the peanut butter so why not slap it on a celery stick instead and get the same enjoyment minus the extra pounds. For those celery-haters, apples and pears make a great combo with peanut butter, too.
Of course you don’t have to give up your favorite snacks completely, but changing it up once in awhile makes a difference and will make you feel healthier and help you lose those extra pounds!
OUT IN
Popcorn --> Nuts
Coca Cola --> Chocolate milk
Chips and dip --> Veggies and dip
Chocolate cupcakes --> Fruit & chocolate dip
Candy bars --> Flavored yogurt
Chocolate bars --> Fruit bars
PB & J --> PB on celery sticks
 | We are happy to have Hanna Skeppner on board this semester as an intern for FunnySpoon.com. As a Swedish-American, she has many exciting ideas to add a new twist to our old faves. Hope you enjoy her recipes and tips! |
Looking for a few ways to stave off your cravings and to achieve/maintain those New Year's resolution health goals? Well, we're not dieticians or nutritionists so we don't pretend to have all the answers; however, we have found a few tips over the years to help us lose a few and keep them off!
- An apple a day: It's true, an apple a day really does help. They're chock full of fiber, help lower LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) and are proven to reduce the risk of a number of cancers. AND they'll fill you up so you don't overeat. Try eating an apple as a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack so you don't gorge at mealtime.
- Celery? Yes, celery: We love to eat celery as a mid-afternoon snack with a little bit of peanut butter or light cream cheese. It's crunchy & filling so it provides all the impact of a chip with a fraction of the calories. PLUS it's full of vitamin C, known to help reduce blood pressure and a natural diuretic. Who knew celery could do all that good stuff for you?
- Break-Fast: Have you heard the old adage: Eat breakfast like a queen, lunch like a princess and dinner like a pauper? Well, it's true. That's how you master your metabolism. I know most of us never have time for a full, sit down breakfast, but you've got to kickoff your day WITHIN ONE HOUR of waking with breakfast. And it should be packed with protein. I like to boil a bunch of eggs on Sunday so I have them at the ready for busy mornings.
- Pre-dinner drag: I find myself dragging a bit in the late afternoon, pre-daycare pickup. However, it's too late to have coffee because it'll keep me up all night. I drink and Emergen-C on these days. It's PACKED with Vitamin C, B6 and B12 so it's bound to help my immune system and give me a natural energy boost to keep me going through dinner and bedtime. Plus with all the fantastic flavors they have I can trick myself into thinking I got a snack!
- Drink!: No, we're not going to preach about drinking water - you already know that! We've found that drinking warm liquids - soups, decaf teas & coffees - in the mid afternoon help you feel satiated. If you get the 3pm muchies then drink some warm (low-cal) soup, broth or tea. It really works!
What are some of your tricks to get through the day without having a meltdown at the donut counter? C'mon. Share your magical tricks with the rest of us!
You should consult your physician before beginning any diet or weight loss program to discuss any health questions or concerns.
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