Looking for a wholesome nut-free snack that you and your kids will love? Made with just seven ingredients, these nut-free energy bites are beloved by my whole family! When my daughter started Pre-K in January, having nut-free snacks on hand that hold up well in a backpack for hours took me a bit of getting used to. As plant-based eaters, I realized that we use nuts and nut butters often. We love everything from PB & J sammies and salty pistachios, to the homemade granola bars and muffins that I often whip up. Another type of snack that I make regularly are energy bites, but typically I include peanut butter in the mix. Since my daughter's school only allows nut-free snacks, I started testing out new energy bite combos. And that, my friends, is how I wound up creating ... [Read More]
healthy snack recipes
Easy Strawberry Mango Sorbet {vegan + gf}
This healthy dessert recipe is packed with summery fruit and takes 5 minutes to whip up! You guys, I'm definitely on a 5-ingredient recipe kick! My last recipe share was 5-ingredient Italian croutons, and a few weeks ago I shared a post on how-to make oat milk, which, while it takes a few more minutes of hands-on time than today's recipe, also involves just 5 ingredients. I've had a thing for sorbet for months now, and I've also had a thing for all fruit, but particularly mango, since the start of my pregnancy. This began when I found myself buying overpriced pre-sliced mango at Whole Foods Market on a day back in January in the midst of a crazy cold front when the high temperature for the day was 15 degrees. I kid you not! This recipe was born out of a desire to enjoy a fruity, healthy ... [Read More]
Raspberry Lemon Protein Muffins
Hi friends! Have you been experiencing a heatwave in your neck of the woods? It has been hot and also unusually humid here in the San Diego area, and while I know that many of you have no sympathy for Southern Californians complaining about weather since we have it so good overall, let me tell you... having no air conditioning is not fun when a heatwave rolls around! I wouldn't mind it being hot out if I had some coolness to retreat to inside. Yup, you heard me right! My house has no air conditioning. This concept is pretty foreign to most Americans, but living near the coast in San Diego usually equates to cool breezes and mild temperatures. I don't think anyone in my neighborhood has A/C, and it's pretty manageable except for the couple weeks out of the year when it's over 90 degrees - ... [Read More]
Chocolate Cake Batter Chia Energy Bites {vegan + gf}
Energy bites are a favorite snack in my household. I've even turned my immediate family on the east coast onto energy bites, because I'm always whipping them up when I visit as a healthy snack to have around. And as a big fan of keeping things interesting in the kitchen and in life in general, I'm always coming up with new energy bite combinations. Today I've got a new one to share: chocolate cake batter chia energy bites! Made with oats, plant-based protein powder and chia seeds, these vegan, gluten free bites pack a nutritious punch. They get their cake batter flavor thanks to the combo of cashew butter, cinnamon, vanilla and cocoa, and are sweetened with dates and maple syrup. They're the perfect little bite to hold you over until a meal or give you some quick ... [Read More]
Apricot Almond Energy Bites [vegan, gf]
Hello, hello! I hope that you had a lovely weekend. Mine was pretty relaxing except for some power outage shenanigans. My hubby was away for the Marine Corps, and on Friday night my pup and I went for a long sunset walk along the beach. We came home to the power being out and I was unable to get into my house. Let's just say I had to get creative and borrow a neighbor's garbage can to hop onto and climb over my fence to get to a spot where I could let myself in. It was eventful! I was pretty proud of myself for being resourceful. :) Besides that little bit of craziness, it was a low-key weekend. My cousin visited from Long Beach and stayed with me. We took Harley for a little hike at a nearby park, and went out for Mediterranean food, wine and live music on Saturday night. It was ... [Read More]