Pack Your Snacks: Easy Snack Options

Who is in a bind when it comes to picking out healthy snacks? I used to do the same snacks everyday, but now that I've been eating healthy for quite a while I have come up with tons of ideas. Here are a few of my faves to have at home or pack on the go

- Dales bars- very nutritionally sound protein bars. They are high in protein, low in carbs, gluten free, raw, vegan, and DELICIOUS. I have one a day! My favorite flavors are peanut butter fudge, mint chocolate chip, graham cracker, and vanilla cashew! BUY HERE

- Green Smoothies: there are so many varieties you can make. They are so fast to make and drink on the go! Green smoothies are my favorite, because they can be whatever you want them to. My favorites are these. Here's another.

-Hummus and veggies: I love packing veggies and hummus in my purse when I am running around. A cup of veggies (carrots,cucumber, tomato, beets, califlour, broccoli, bell pepper, etc) always goes well with some delicious hummus. You can make your own, or go to a health food store and stock up on your favorite organic hummus. Make this one, or this one at home.

- Fruit with chia seeds: Chia seeds are great to throw in to your diet. They are packed with nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein, fiber, antioxidants, and calcium. Soak your chia seeds in water then you can top them on your favorite fresh organic fruit! My favorites right now are a combo of plums, peaches, nectarine, and mango.

-Kale chips: I have been obsessed with kale chips lately. I have made them at home, but have also tried these and these and have been completely blown away by how tasty they are! These are filled with fiber and nutrients so stock up!

- Nut butter and fruit: sometimes keeping it quick and simple is the way to go. I love grabbing an apple or banana and spreading a nut butter on it. Lately I've been trying new kinds of nut butters, and my favorites are walnut, cashew, and pecan.

-Hard boiled eggs: if you hard boil some free range organic eggs and keep them in your fridge, they can be the perfect grab-and-go along with nuts or a piece of fruit! 

Protein Bars: What To Look For

We all love a quick and easy to grab snack when we are busy. The advertising agencies have done an amazing job of filling our magazines and gyms with photos of delicious looking chocolatey caramel goodness. Are these really going to make us more toned, lean, and strong?

When picking out a good protein bar I look at a few things:

1. Ingredients: If I can't pronounce it I shouldn't be eating it; it was most likely created in a science lab.
2. Grams of protein: If there are less than 15 grams of protein in the bar, I usually pass it up. It's not really that great of a source!
3. When it was made: If the bar has been sitting on a shelf for months/years I don't want it. I want fresh, and real food.
4. Sugar and saturated fats: If there is tons of sugar and saturated fats, you might as well grab a snickers bar pre or post workout.

So what do I do?

Check these out. This is the only bar I have found and been impressed with. It's raw, vegan, gluten free, paleo, fresh, and DELICIOUS! Dale's Raw Protein Bars are always stocked in my house!

Product Review: Dale's Raw Protein

I have been introduced to THE BEST protein powders and bars I have ever tried (and I've tried em' all).


Dale's Raw Foods has the best raw protein powders, and raw protein bars!!! My mouth is watering while writing this!

I have recently read up on whey and other proteins like casein, as well as soy. I am realizing they are doing more harm than good. I was luckily introduced to Dale's, and I am not turning back. The powders and bars are RAW, Vegan, Gluten free, and ALMOST 100% organic (still working on getting approved).

The good thing about this product is that they are made fresh to order, and when you consume them your body can recognize all the products and absorb the nutrients quickly.. Think about it, a chocolate whey protein powder typically is made in a factory with tons of fake ingredients and over processed, so it doesn't make much sense that most health nuts consume this junk. INSTEAD- start consuming natural products from the earth that are fresh and you will see a world of difference in your energy!

Powders: Brown rice, pea, and hemp protein mixes

Chocolate
Natural
Vanilla
Strawberry Banana

Flavors:

- Vanilla Cashew
- Blueberry Macadamia
- Strawberry Banana
- Raspberry Hazelnut
- Chocolate Almond Coconut
- Chocolate Cherry
- Chocolate Chia Maca
- Goji and Greens
- Low Carb Vanilla Cashew
- Low Carb Cafe Mocha (Organic ground coffee and raw chocolate with combo of almond/cashew butter and chia seeds. Only 12g carbs, 8g fiber, and 3g sugar per bar)

All of the bars are HAND-MADE, yes made to order!!! Real ingredients like Coconut Nectar for sweetener, Coconut Oil for texture and added health benefits, Goji Berries and Chia Seeds (powerful superfoods), Raw Cacao for its antioxidants, in addition to the pea, hemp and brown rice proteins.

The only thing to watch out for is because it has ZERO preservatives, the shelf life is a lot shorter than regular protein bars (6 to 8 weeks).


Order these bars or powders, and you'll be hooked.

LARABAR Giveaway!

Have you tried LARABAR's??? Well, if not now is your turn to win!

LARABAR's arE a healthy gluten-free food bar that is delicious and pure! There are minimal ingredients, no preservatives and NO added sweeteners! They have bars for your raw Foodists, your vegans, vegetarians, gluten intolerant, peanut allergic, and average healthy person! Finally a bar that isn't loaded with JUNK!!!!!

Now, for the giveaway! In order to win this giveaway you must..

1. "like" my fitness Facebook page
2. Like LARABAR's Facebook page
3. Repost my blog address on your Facebook or twitter (help me get the word out<3)
4. Tell me why eating healthy bars is important for you!

GOOD LUCK!!

Product Review: Sun Warrior Raw Vegan Vanilla Protein

I have been so lucky to have been introduced to an amazing new product. Being an athlete I am extremely picky on what I put in my body. I realized the past few years I have been drinking protein drinks that are mixed with junk! Sun Warrior Protein has the 9 essential amino acids and other non-essential amino acids in a perfectly balanced amino acid profile. The processing of this product is natural and clean, which is different than most others on the market filled with chemicals.

Enough of me jabbing about it! Get it at

Sunwarrior.com

Add it to all your recipes:
Protein shakes
Green smoothies
Oatmeal
Protein bars
SKIES THE LIMIT!!

Thea's Cinnamon Roll Protein Bar Recipe

Thea's Cinnamon Roll Protein Bars

Ingredients:
Non-fat no-stick spray
2 scoops whey protein (chocolate or vanilla low sugar/low carb/low fat)
4 egg whites
Oat flour 1/2 c
Quick cooking Oatmeal 1/2 c
8 oz greek yogurt nonfat plain
4 oz water
1/2 c. sugar free syrup
1/3 c. stevia or splenda
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tbsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 x 8 pyrex dish with non-stick butter spray.

In a large bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt . In a medium bowl, mix egg whites, Splenda, greek yogurt and water until well combined. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and mix well. Finally, fold in the quick cooking oats and stir until just combined.

Pour batter into the pyrex dish and spread evenly. Bake 25 - 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool and cut into 16 pieces

Nutrition: 2 small squares
110 calories
1.25 g fat
6.6 g carbs 13.6 g protein

Thea’s Chocolate Protein Bar Recipe

Ingredients:
Non-fat no-stick spray
2 scoops whey protein (chocolate or vanilla low sugar/low carb/low fat)
4 egg whites
Oat flour 1c.
8 oz greek yogurt nonfat plain
4 oz water
1/3 c. stevia or splenda
3 tbsp unsweetened cooking cocoa
1/2 tbsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 x 8 pyrex dish with non-stick butter spray.

In a large bowl, combine flour, chocolate, protein powder, baking soda, salt . In a medium bowl, mix egg whites, Splenda, greek yogurt and water until well combined. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and mix well

Pour batter into the pyrex dish and spread evenly. Bake 25 - 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool and cut into 16 pieces

Nutrition: 2 small squares
123 calories
1g fat
11.6 carbs
15.6 g protein