Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Dark Cocoa Almonds = PARTY in YOUR TUMM!



Seriously- my kids could not stop eating this little "healthy" treat. I had a hard time not taking more then a handful myself for my snack time:) Here is the recipe from Joy Bauer's latest cookbook Slim & Scrumptious.

1 egg white
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups unsalted raw almonds, skin on
1/4 granulated sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder ( I used Ghirardelli..only the best right:))
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt (not table salt)

1. Preheat the over to 275 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil, and coat the foil with oil spray. (totally takes away from the clean up mess)

2. In a large bowl, combine the egg white and vanilla and whip until very frothy. Add the almonds to the bowl and stir until they are completely soaked in egg white, about 2 minutes.

3. In a small bowl, stir together the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt until thoroughly mixed. Add the sugar-cocoa mixture to the almonds, and stir until the dry ingredients are completely incorporated and evenly coat the almonds (no dry powder should remain at the bottom of the bowl.)

4. Pour the almonds onto the prepared baking sheet, and use a spatula, spoon, or your hands to spread them in a single even layer. Bake for 25 minutes on the middle oven rack.

5. Using a spatula, flip the almonds over in small batches and bake for 15 minutes.

6. Cool for at least 15 minutes. Break the almonds apart before serving. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition breakdown: Calories: 212 Protein: 7 g Carbohydrates: 13 g Total fat: 14 g
Saturated fat: 1 g Cholesterol: 0 mg. Fiber: 4 g Sodium: 35 mg

in other words--- A perfectly healthy snack in EVERY way!

Healthy Snacking:)

Monday, November 1, 2010

Make it a lifestyle change and INCLUDE your kids

Kids love to do whatever they see mom and dad doing. If they see you sitting on the couch watching tv, they are going to want to do that to. If they see you cooking in the kitchen- they are going to want to help out. If they see you exercising- they will follow suit and mimic your actions.

Most people fail at diets or exercise programs because they aren't making it a lifestyle change. It is easier for someone to make a lifestyle change when they have no one else to worry about.... aka.... family! :)

Once you have a family it's game over! Haha- just kidding- it just takes a little more creativity.

Kids LOVE to be active! It is in their nature- and our nature in case you were wondering.

They need exercise and running around the park or running outside is more then enough! But- sometimes throwing in a few staple exercises is always a good thing too.

Here is one of my kids favorite things to do after school or when I feel like they are being too wild in the house and need to outlet some energy:)



Next up- some healthy recipes from Joy Bauer's latest cookbook "Slim and Scrumptious"



On this weeks menu I will be testing with my kids:

Lemon Sage Chicken Breasts
Sesame Chicken Tenders
Turkey Tetrazzini
AJ's Mac n Cheezy
Cinnaomon-Sugar Almonds
Frozen Hot Chocolate (Serendipity style minus the fat!)

I will be making a video of each adventure and give it to my kids to pass the test!

Get ready for some YUMMY Slim and Scrumptious meals!!:)

ps- who wants me to do a give away of this wonderful cookbook?? :)