It's tough to get to the grocery store these days, so experiment with these quick and delicious snacks. The key is to use what you have on hand and be flexible! See what works best for you and your crew.
CHOCOLATE BANANA SMOOTHIE:
This recipe is simple and delicious! You can substitute any nut butter of your choice.
Ingredients:
•1 Large Banana or 1.5 Medium (frozen is ideal though not essential)
•3/4 Cup Almond/Hemp/Rice Milk
•1/4 Cup Nut Butter of Choice
•3 Tbsp Cacao Powder
•1/2 Cup Handful Crushed Ice
•1-2 Tsp Syrup or Honey
Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender until smooth. Experiment adding frozen fruit such as raspberries, mango, pineapple, or strawberries just to name a few. See how you like this smoothie without nut butter then add extra frozen fruit and maybe a few spinach leaves. Leftover smoothie can go into a popsicle mold so you can enjoy it as a frozen treat!
BANANA ICE CREAM:
Not to worry when the bananas are on their last leg! Slice and freeze them in an airtight container or on parchment paper on a baking sheet - then cover. They can be used for numerous snacks.
Ingredients:
•1 Frozen Banana (1 per serving)
•Almond/Hemp/Rice Milk (small amount to thin)
•Chocolate chips or pieces of chocolate
•Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, pecans
•Coconut Flakes
Blend bananas in a food processor until smooth. Be patient as it takes a few minutes to blend-they are very hard! You may need to add a small amount of milk to soften until well blended. Scoop into containers and finish off with your favorite toppings such as chocolate, coconut and nuts. Serve immediately as it softens quickly.
Enjoy!
ENERGY BALLS:
This recipe is one of my favorite go-tos so I always stock my pantry with dates, nuts, cacao powder and chia seeds. Lately if I'm low on dates, I use an alternative energy ball recipe with nut butter instead (see below).
Ingredients: •1 Cup Walnuts - pulsed until fine (use any nut or seed) •1 Cup Pitted Dates (add one at a time through the top hole as the processor runs, until forming a paste) •3-4 Tbsp Raw Cacao Powder •1 Tbsp Chia Seeds •A Splash of Vanilla •A few Shakes of Sea Salt
Blend nuts in a food processor until fine. Next, add one date at a time until forms a paste and begins to roll around. Then add additional ingredients and blend. Next, anything you and the kids enjoy. Some of our favorites are shredded coconut, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger or lemon. We love to shape the dough into balls and roll in coconut or ground almonds…yum!!
Once you have the basic recipe down you can play around and use any kind of nut you prefer. Nut butters work well too with just a few dates along with sunflower, pumpkin seeds or oats. Have fun with it and play around to see what works best for your family.
This brain-boosting snack is energizing, quick and delicious. Get the whole family in the kitchen creating and naming their favorite balls!
NUT BUTTER BALLS: This recipe is ideal as you can use any type of nut butter that is handy in the pantry. Ingredients: •1 Cup Rolled Oats •1 Cup Sunflower Butter (any nut butter works)
•1/4 Cup Ground Flax Meal
•3 Tbsp Maple Syrup or Local Honey •2 Tbsp Chia Seeds •A Splash of Vanilla •A few Shakes of Sea Salt Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix with your hands or a fork. Next, add any additional ingredients you like such as coconut, chocolate chips, or dried fruit just to name a few. The final stage is to roll the dough into bars or balls, then place in the fridge for a good hour to set.
BEAN DIP: This recipe is delicious and quick. Any type of bean works so what ever is available in the pantry will do.
Ingredients: •1 Can Beans Rinsed and Drained (Black, white, red, pink, chick peas work)
•2 Tbsp Olive Oil
•2-4 Tbsp Cold Water-more if needed •Juice of One Lemon or Lime (2-3 Tbsp-Add more if you prefer) •2 Cloves Garlic (Fresh or frozen work) •1/2 Tsp Cumin •A few Shakes of Sea Salt Combine all ingredients in a food processor (approx 3-4 minutes) until smooth. Tweak to satisfy your palate. Top with a drizzle of olive oil, paprika, cumin, parsley or whatever you prefer. Serve with veggies and crackers.
TRAIL MIX GONE WILD:
This is an old concept though change it up with new ingredients to make it fresh
Ingredients:
•1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips
•1 Cup Sunflower/Pumpkin Seeds
•1 Cup Almond, cashews, pistachios, pecans or anything on hand
•Raisins/dried apricots/dried cherries/chopped dates/
•Handful of small pretzels
•Handful of Coconut
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. This is a nice way to add raw nuts with salted ones. This mixture is super satisfying and nourishing. Add granola too or whatever else is in the pantry that may work.