Snacks for those munchkins!

GREAT ALTERNATIVE to fruit snacks.  Stop buying all the processed food especially fruit snacks. Don't be fooled by the label when it says made with real fruit.  They might have a small amount of real fruit but will also have food dyes, sugar, and chemicals. Try making these instead . . .  

I don't know anyone that doesn't love fruit leather.  They are just so good.  I bought them for a long time until I realized how easy they are to make.  I use the dehydrator but you can use your oven on low heat. Perfect for your diaper bag or snack on the go.

Puree the fruit you want to use.  Our favorite leathers are plums.  I have jars of pureed  plums that are all ready to go.  They work better if there's some chunks and you don't want them too watery.

Spread out onto trays. Leave in dehydrator for around 6 hours or longer.  Check them every couple hours.  I usually lower the setting and keep it going all night.  If you use the oven bake for 3 -4 hours.


Look at my cute little 2-yr-old making them.  Told you it was easy.

My Cookie recipe, perfect for lactose & gluten free

I made up this recipe for Raw Cookies.  I've made them probably 50 times over the last year and keep some in my cookie jar.  My younger kids love eating these little treats.   I love that! So here's how you do it. 

2 T coconut oil
1/4 c oatmeal
1 c almonds, cashews, pecans, sunflower seeds, walnuts (I just mix a bunch of these together)
1/2 c almond butter
1/4 c water (sometimes more if it's really dry)
1/3 c Agave Nectar
1/4 c Cacoa Nibs
1/4 c Coconut
1/2 c  Coconut Flour
1/4 tsp Salt 
1/2 tsp Vanilla sometimes I use maple
                                                    1/2 c organic chocolate chips made with agave or organic sugar

Put all the nuts into the food processor.  If you don't have one of these then use something that will chop the ingredients into a pulp.  My kids won't eat them if there's chunks of nuts.  I love having the chunks but it's all about them.  I used a coffee grinder for the past year til I got my sweet food processor for Christmas (thanks honey).

Then in a bowl mix all the ingredients together. 
Shape into balls then smoosh them down in the dehydrator trays.  If you don't have a dehydrator then you can use the oven on the lowest setting for 1/2 hour.  I leave them in the dehydrator for 2 hours.  

This makes 2 dozens unless you eat the dough.  Sometimes we make these just for the cookie dough.  Yummy!

Best Chocolate Smoothie. IT Rocks my World!

Have you ever heard of raw chocolate? I love it.  I make cookies, smoothies, chocolate sauce, etc with it and it's even good for you. Lots of antioxidants and magnesium.

Today I made the best protein shake. I watched a video on superfoods http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1RuaqbtuHE&feature=related and raw choc powder is the absolute best thing just packed with tons of vitamins and minerals. I felt so much energy after drinking this.  So here's the recipe for the best protein shake ever (congrats to me for coming up with it).

1 cup coconut milk                                                                        
1 cup organic rice milk (try chocolate flavor--It's GOOOOOOD!)
2 cups water
handful of ice
handful frozen strawberries
2 frozen banana or fresh (doesn't matter)
1 scoop brown rice protein
1 T raw cacao (chocolate) powder http://www.sunfood.com/buy/1/5/504/Cacao--Chocolate--Powder--16-oz--Sunfood--raw--certified-organic-/1004.aspx
1/2 T maca http://www.sunfood.com/buy/1/88/518/Maca--16-oz-1lb--raw--certified-organic-/1167.aspx
1 tsp.probiotics
1 T flax seed oil (can use avocados instead)
 handful of raw almonds. I usually soak these overnight. (yummy)
6 servings

 Look at all the vitamins and minerals my girl is drinking.  I love to see that!

don't look back! just toss the junk

It's time to clear the junk out of the house.  Here's a funny story that might inspire.

I had a jar full of mini marshmallows I had for potty treats.  It was more like leftovers from a party or something so if Tallyoop went potty she'd get 1 mini marshmallow. Oohh!  It was funny.  I've been making dried fruit for the last week and love having the fruit in jars on the buffet in the kitchen for me and the kids to snack on.  I had already filled up all the jars I had but still had a dehydrator full of fruit.  I saw the jar of marshmallows and sat there with what seemed like quite the dilemma the way I was acting.  “Should I throw out the marshmallows?” “Oh I couldn’t waste them, it’s food (well kind of).” Back and forth I went for a few seconds as my husband walks in and asks me what I am doing?  I told him I was trying to decide if I should throw away the marshmallows so I could use the jar for dried fruit. I had pulled them out of the jar and shoved them back into the jar 2 times already.  He just laughed, called me a freak, and walked out.  Thanks for your help honey.  Ultimately, the marshmallows were tossed into the garbage. I had to make room for the dried fruit.  Looking back, should I have really had to think about it so hard?

 

So here's your chance...Don't even think about it.  Throw out the junk food. Make room in those cupboards for the good stuff.