FOOD FOR THOUGHT—Easy Healthy Snacks

by | Aug 1, 2017

By Lydia Bolen

 

Easy Healthy Snacks

 

Snacking—whether out of habit or boredom, or because you are hungry—is a favorite pastime for children as well as adults.

Kitchen Tune-Up

 

If hunger is a factor, try to choose a treat that is healthy and nutritious. Think of a snack as a mini-meal and keep it balanced by choosing a little protein, a bit of healthful fat, and some carbohydrates.

 

No-Bake Energy Bites are delicious and fun to make, and the sweetness of the chocolate chips will satisfy your sweet tooth. They will keep up to a week in the refrigerator and there is no baking involved!

 

Hummus is especially easy to make. All ingredients are processed in the food processor. Just serve with your favorite veggies or pita chips.

 

Tortilla Rollups are attractive and yummy. They are good in lunchboxes or for a quick protein snack any time of day.

 

 

Easy Hummus

  • 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained, liquid reserved
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 drops sesame oil, or to taste (optional)

Blend garbanzo beans, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, salt, and sesame oil in a food processor.

Stream reserved bean liquid into the mixture as it blends until desired consistency is achieved.

Serve in a dip bowl and use pita chips or sliced veggies for dipping. Sprinkle top of hummus with paprika or chopped parsley for color.

 

 

Tortilla Rollups

  • 8-ounce cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tablespoon chopped green onions or chives
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 8 basil leaves, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 6 whole taco sized flour tortillas
  • 1/2 pound shaved turkey
  • 3 whole carrots, peeled and julienned
  • 1 whole cucumber, seeded and julienned
  • 3 leaves green leaf lettuce
  • 2 whole avocados, sliced

 

Make the herbed cream cheese by combining the softened cream cheese with the green onions or chives, parsley, basil, salt and pepper, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.

Spread cream mixture in a thin layer over each tortilla. Lay ingredients down the middle of the tortilla.

For the turkey rollup, use turkey, carrots, and cucumber. For a “salad” rollup, use lettuce, carrots, cucumber, and avocado.

Roll up the filled tortillas as tightly as they will go. Then wrap each tortilla in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour.

To slice, cut each rollup in half, then line up the two halves and cut them in half again.

Serves 6.

(Revised from thepioneerwoman.com)

 

 

No-Bake Energy Bites

  • 1 cup oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 cup coconut flakes
  • 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

 

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and stir until thoroughly incorporated. Cover with saran wrap and put bowl in refrigerator and let chill for 30 minutes.

Once chilled, roll into 1-inch balls.

Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to one week.

Enjoy!

 

Pro-Life Mississippi