I have a confession to make. This is a big one, guys. But here it goes: I don’t know how to cook. Whew. Now you know. Boy does it feel good to get off my chest!
Ok, it’s not that I can’t cook. In fact, I’m learning. After all, I really want to get better at cooking. And as we all know…practice makes perfect, friends! With so much wedding planning, moving into a new house, and anticipation, cooking might seem like a chore. And what I’m realizing is, it doesn’t have to be!
Luckily I’ve got healthy snacks down to a science. I flip flop on the sweet and savory sides of things. And, one of the things I’ve learned about snacking is that it’s always best to plan ahead. You don’t know exactly when you’ll be craving a snack, maybe. But we all know that that moment’s bound to come! By prepping a few of my favorite healthy snacks in advance, I’ve got myself covered when a craving hits.
When I’m really craving something sweet, I reach for a few of my favorite healthy snacks. As a blogger, I’m always on the go. So for me, I’ve found it easier to keep a few snacks in the fridge or freezer. That way, I can grab, enjoy, and fly out the door.
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bites
These are the perfect combination of sweet and savory. Not to mention, they’re: fruity, nutty, crunchy, and crisp. I especially love these fun, decked-out apple slices because they’re oh-so satisfying in more ways than one. The apple takes care of the sweet factor while the peanut butter adds a savory component. Then, they’ll leave you feeling full in between meals. That’s right: fruit is the best go-to healthy snack component because it’s low in fat yet fills you right up.
INGREDIENTS
2 apples
¼ cup peanut butter
¼ cup granola (I love Muesli)
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Mini semisweet chocolate chips*
DIRECTIONS: Slice apples into wedges. Top each slice with about peanut butter. Then sprinkle with granola, and dust with cinnamon. In a microwave, melt the chocolate chips. But be sure to stir them every 15 to 20 seconds! You don’t want to burn the chocolate. (Believe me—I’ve done that way too many times!) Drizzle the apple wedges with melted chocolate, and enjoy!
*For a vegan option, use your favorite dairy-free dark chocolate chips
Super-Easy Chocolate Almond Smoothie
I can’t stop sipping on this protein-rich smoothie. It’s got alllll the good stuff: chocolate, nuttiness, and workout fuel. After all, chocolate’s good for the heart—and the soul. And when it comes in the form of protein-powder, it’s a win-win if I’ve ever seen one! Not to mention, the recipe’s totally vegan.
But let’s talk flavor: You’ve got the fresh burst of vanilla from the almond milk, the nuttiness from the almonds, and the heartiness from the protein powder. I love this healthy smoothie as a post-workout snack in the mornings. Just think of it as dessert for breakfast!
INGREDIENTS
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
½ scoop chocolate protein powder (my favorite is from GNC I also love the strawberries and cream flavor!)
8 – 10 almonds
A handful of ice cubes
DIRECTIONS: Toss all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Pour into a glass. Bottoms up!
Frozen Banana Pops
Forget cake pops. If you want a cute and sweet, healthy snack to power you through the afternoon, I’ve got you just the thing! These frozen banana pops are fun to assemble, and they’re totally shareable (or not, if you’re really feeling hungry—you do you!) Plan ahead so they’ve got plenty of time to chill. Then, pop open your freezer to the sweetest little treats that are almost too cute to eat!
INGREDIENTS
1 ripe banana
4 popsicle sticks (or cake pop sticks)
3 ounces vanilla yogurt (my favorite is Trader Joe’s Greek Yogurt)
1 cup mini chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS: Line a plate with parchment paper. Peel the banana and slice it into 4 equal-sized pieces. Then push a popsicle stick about three-quarters through each slice. Dip the banana slices in yogurt, and twirl the stick to make sure it’s covered evenly. (I like to use a spoon to cover it evenly.) Then sprinkle the banana pop with mini chocolate chips and gently lay it on the parchment paper. Place the whole plate in the freezer for 4 hours or overnight. Then break them out when your sweet tooth hits, and dig in!
I hope you try out these sweet yet healthy snacks for yourself. I’ve got a feeling that they’ll come in handy when you need a snack in a pinch!
xo, Dani