5 Healthy Treats For Mothers This Mother’s Day 0
Mother’s Day is here! A day dedicated to celebrating mothers, who sacrifice a lot to bring us into this world. We celebrate them for all the amazing things they have done for us. Wow your mother with these healthy, delicious treats to show them how much you appreciate her.
5 Delicious Strawberry Recipes to Celebrate Spring The Right Way 0
Strawberry picking season is upon us, and we can't wait to get a taste of this delicious fruit. Luckily, strawberries can make friends with just about any food, from balsamic vinegar to white chocolate. If your taste buds want in on the action, these 5 strawberry recipes are the perfect way to ring in spring.5 Must-Try Dehydrated & Freeze Dried Food Snack Recipes You'll Drool Over 0
We've all been there: It's around mid-afternoon, and what was once a tummy rumble has evolved into full-blown hunger. At this point, you are unable to control yourself. So, you instinctively reach for anything that can tame this feeling, whether it's a calorie-packed candy bar or a sugar-laden latte. Unfortunately, going down that road is as unhealthy as it sounds.If you are looking for a quick but nutritious alternative, dehydrated and freeze dried foods are a great place to start. These bite-sized versions of our favorite veggies and fruits contain the same amount of nutrients as the real deal, and are equally tasty and require very little prep time, which makes them the perfect candidate for when you are going down with the afternoon munchies. So, what's not to like?
So, if you are ready to shake up your old eating habits and make some healthy adjustments, these delicious freeze dried food snack recipes are worth a spot in your recipe book. Let the snacking begin!
1. Dark Chocolate Bark with Berries
Not that dark chocolate doesn't taste great as is, but a few crunchy (nutrient-dense) additions sure wouldn't hurt. This sweet treat is great for anyone with a sweet tooth that still wants to sneak some antioxidants and fiber into their body. Plus, it takes less than 15 minutes to make. So, what are you waiting for?
Ingredients:
10 ounces dark chocolate
1 1/4 cups freeze dried Berry De-lite Blend
2-3 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
Directions:
- Line a baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave. (Tip: Opt for the low heat setting to prevent it from burning and sticking to the bottom of your pot. Patience is key during this step.)
- Once the chocolate is smooth, remove it from the heat and stir in 1/4 of the freeze dried berry de-lite blend. Optionally, you can add the honey during this step.
- Then, pour it onto the pan and spread it into an even layer. At this point, you decide how thick your bark is going to be.
- Sprinkle the remaining one cup of freeze dried berries and place it into the freezer for 20-30 minutes or until the chocolate hardens.
2. Tropical Trail Mix
Touché: Trail mix and a healthy diet don't always see eye to eye. But, what happens if you replace the usual suspects (see: M&Ms, milk chocolate drops, and pretzels) with some healthier-for-you options like freeze dried fruit? You get full access to a delicious, low-cal snack, that's what happens! So, next time you whip up a batch of homemade trail mix, skip the sugary fixins, and opt for a handful of freeze dried apples, apricots, bananas, mangos, or anything your heart desires.
Ingredients:
1 cup whole almonds, preferably roasted
1 cup cashews
½ cup pepitas
¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1 cup freeze dried Tropical De-lite Blend
¼ cup dark chocolate chips
Directions:
- In a bowl, add all the ingredients and mix until they are evenly combined.
- Store leftovers in air-tight containers.
3. Homemade Crackers with Garlic & Rosemary
Contrary to popular belief, crackers are super easy to make at home. That being said, it's unnecessary to spend a bunch of money on the store-bought versions which -let's not forget- are also packed with sodium and hard-to-pronounce preservatives. So, if you want to snack smart and watch out for your health, this recipe is a definite keeper.
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup olive oil
2 tsp baking powder
1-2 tbsp dehydrated garlic (granulated)
1-2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup water
1 tsp pepper
Poppy seeds, for garnish (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400oF.
- In a bowl, combine all the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic, and rosemary).
- Then, add the water and olive oil and mix well. If the dough is still a bit dry, add a couple of tablespoons of water.
- Flour a surface and transfer the dough.
- Using a rolling pin, thin it out as much as possible and cut it into round or square shapes.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Place the soon-to-be crackers onto the tray and make small holes on them using a fork.
- Optionally, sprinkle with poppy seeds.
- Bake them for 10-12 minutes or until they turn golden.
4. Blueberry Energy Balls
Sure, granola bars seem like the best option to beat a midday slump, but did you know that this “healthy” snack is actually drenched in sugar? To avoid negating an hour's worth of treadmill action, energy bites do exactly what their name suggests; they refill your empty energy tank and keep you going until lunchtime rolls around. Isn't that what snacks are supposed to do, anyway?
Ingredients:
¾ cup rolled oats
¼ cup unsweetened coconut, shredded
4 tbsp chia seeds
4 tbsp nut butter (peanut & almond work the best)
4 tbsp maple syrup
¼ cup coconut oil
1/3 cup freeze dried blueberries, halved
Directions:
- In a bowl, add the nut butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil and blend until they are well combined.
- In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients (oats, chia seeds, coconut, and blueberries).
- Pour the nut butter mixture into the second bowl and mix well.
- Cover with a dry towel and set it aside for 30 minutes minimum.
- Using a tablespoon, form small balls of the mixture and place them in a container.
- Store them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
5. Banana Strawberry S'mores
From their sweet flavor to their gooey texture, s'mores know what it takes to become a front-runner snack. However, sun-soaked days and a campfire are not the only excuses to indulge in this classic graham cracker, marshmallow, and chocolate combo. If you are ready to treat your taste buds to a new (healthier) s'mores version, this delicious freeze dried food snack recipe is a dream come true.
Ingredients:
6 Graham crackers, cut in half
6 ounces dark chocolate, cut into six large chunks
12 marshmallows
¼ cup freeze dried strawberries – sliced or whole
¼ cup freeze dried banana slices
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400oF.
- Crack each Graham's cracker in half and use one as the top layer and one at the bottom.
- Arrange them on a large plate and coat them with the freeze dried banana slices and strawberries.
- Then, top with the chocolate chunks.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the marshmallows on top of it.
- Roast them for 3-5 minutes or until they turn brownish. Remember to rotate them so that they don't burn.
- Once roasted, remove them from the oven and place them on top of the chocolate.
- Lastly, add the second cracker on top and serve.
So, which one of these recipes you can't wait to try? Do you have any dehydrated or freeze dried food snack recipes that you'd like to share with us? Let us know in the comments section down below!
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