Superfood- The Mighty Almond

The mighty almond that could. Almonds are a high nutrient superfood packed with protein, 12 different vitamins & minerals, and fiber. Bet you didn’t know the last one. The 4 grams of fiber per ounce of almonds helps keep bellies feel fuller for longer.

Why are almonds my nutty superfood? It contains (per oz):

• Only 129 calories per oz or approx 23 almonds
• 4 grams of fiber
• 6 grams of Protein

Almonds are an excellent source of vitamin E, magnesium and manganese, and a good source of calcium, copper, phosphorous and riboflavin. Additionally they are a low GI (glycemic index) food.

• Promoting: healthy bones, blood sugar, cholesterol, and energy levels.
• Vitamins & minerals help to promote a glowing complexion and healthy hair

Availability of Almonds:

1. Raw  – Alone or in a nutty mix. Available as plain, roasted, salted, seasoned, slivered, blanched, & baked
2. Almond butter — Pure unsweetened, unsalted almond butter.  This stuff is quite addictive!
3. Almond Milk — As a substitute for milk in oatmeal, smoothies, milkshakes, baking, or to drink. Bottoms up.

My favorite way to eat almonds are plain roasted. I also have many variations of almond butter at home, I spread it on toast and enjoy for breakfast with a smoothie or tea quite often.

Check it out below, be sure to follow me on instagram at Shot of Green for my favorite eats and healthy ideas.

Healthy Packaged Snacks – Part 2

Bag ripping goodness without the guilt. Part two of my healthy packaged snacks post includes a few brands that I love, all of these brands are packaged foods that are minimally processed and close to being home made as it gets.

Cookies:

The total and utter excitement I had when I found “clean” cookies that I didn’t have to make is embarrassing. Completely in love with Go Raw’s Chocolate Super Cookies.. oh so good! Of course they are more like thin crisps then cookies but it satisfies the craving.

Go Raw has few types of cookies, granola, energy bars, and chocolate. All minimally processed and ingredients on the front of the bag.  These make for great snacks, carry alongs, or for toppings.

Cereal:

One of the unhealthiest “health” foods by the marketing industry. Most cereals are filled with boat loads of sugar, bleached wheat, and added preservatives. Even the organic and healthy brands packed a ingredient list longer that needed. So I stayed away, until now. Food for Life carries a no frills, simple and clean cereal in 3-4 varieties. Don’t expect them to be taste anything like cinnamon toast crunch or other conventional cereals.

Jelly/Jam:

Peanut butter & Jelly! Crofter’s Organic Just Fruit Spread is sweetened with fruit juice and made with real fruit. Yummy and just 30 calories per serving!

Chips (Sort-of):

Fruits and Veggies made into crispy chips count right? Bare-Fruit bakes fruit with some spices like cinnamon to satisfy those salty crunchy cravings.

I love making Kale Chips at home or grabbing a bag from the health store for a guilt-free chip snack.

What are your guilt-free or guilty pleasure snacks that you love?

I buy a lot of my snacks, vitamins, and grains online at http://www.iherb.com/

First time users can use code RIM717 for $10 off order of $40 or more and receive a $5 discount with smaller orders plus free shipping if $20 or more. An extra 5% off for orders over $60.

**Disclaimer: I am not compensated by any of these brands or websites… sadly. This post is my own opinion. **

Healthy Packaged Snacks

Ever just need a tote em and go snack? No spills, refrigeration, or mashed up bananas kinda snack. I’ve compiled a list of some healthy & minimally processed packaged snacks for busy days.

1) Prepare your own snacks-
Snack size bags of carrots, fruits, granola, trail mix, or other goodies. Prepared and ready to grab.

Try Justin’s almond butter single serve packets  or snack size hummus along with apples, celery or anything else you like to pair it with.

2) Seaweed Snacks- available in to- go packs of 20 calories. Perfect to throw in a bag, keep in the car, or locker. This popular snack now has more than the original 3 flavors, there’s a cracked pepper and herb one! Health food stores and online retailers carry an array or brands and flavors.

3) Prepackaged Nuts – Available in 100 calorie packs for ease and portion control.
Steer clear of trail mixes with tons of added sugar and salt. Keep it simple and healthy. Create personal trail mixes or nut                 mixes ready to grab.

4) Peeled Fruit Snacks- Pure dehydrated fruit, simple and sweet.

5) Pre-Boiled Eggs – Boil a few eggs any time during the week and keep them handy in fridge in a carton or ziploc bag ready to go. Packed with protein and low on calorie this is a perfect filler-upper.  Now available in pre-boiled and peeled packages.

6) Unsweetened Applesauce or Go Go squeezable applesauce- Relive some childhood moments with this simple and healthy snack. Look for no sugar added or sweetened with fruit juice varieties in stores.

Check out part 2 of healthy packaged snacks / brands

June Foodie Penpal, The Box Of Goodies

I’ve been following The Lean Green Bean’s blog for sometime now and have loved creeping on all the foodie penpal swaps. This month I finally decided to join the fun.

Sierra from the Cmonfatso sent me my first box. I had let her know I was health conscious and she def kept that in mind. Check out my box of goodies and a sweet hand written note.

Pictured above:

1. 2 Izze sparkling apple drinks
2. 1 organic green tea from Adagio– I’ve been wanting to try these for a while so I am so psyched about this. I am a absolute Adagio addict
3. Sara’s Pretzel Slims (100 calorie pack)
4. Justin’s Organic Peanut Butter Cups — Oh I’m saving this sucker for the days I have a chocolate craving.
5. The Good Bean sweet cinnamon flavored chick peas– Why have I never heard of this?
6. 2 strawberry fruit bars from Archer Farms
7. 2 protein bars from Nature Valley — I had this my first week of working night shifts at the hospital, such a life saver for the unexpected hunger I had at 2 am.
8. Enjoy Life Not Nuts seed and fruit mix bag — I can tell I’m going to love this
9. Blue Diamond blueberry flavored almonds
10. Sweat Pink’s shoelaces — ❤

If you would like to join in on the foodie penpal, make sure to sign up before the 4th of July at The Lean Green Bean.

Homemade Fruit Yogurt Cups

I love yogurt with fruit and granola. Its perfect for warm days as breakfast or as a snack. Its fills me up, its healthy, and it satisfies my sweet cravings. I have a huge sweet tooth that I’m learning to satisfy with fruits instead of chocolate. I won’t lie though I will find ways to sneak in some chocolate chips into my meals every once in a while. 

As I was saying, I love yogurt cups and I’ve been eating those Chobani single serve cups for the last year or two and I love them. However, I am on a budget and trying to cut out sugar in my diet. Thus, my homemade yogurt cups were born. 

I bought a large container of plain non-fat Chobani greek yogurt for approx $5 at Kroger that will yield at least 10-15 yogurt cups. Plus I can use it for so many other things in my kitchen! 

Want it on the go for work or school? Mix the yogurt, fruit, and honey in a mason jar or small container for the day or have a week of them stored in the fridge. Have granola in a zip-lock bag so you add ig when ready to eat and still have the crunch.