On The Run: Cinnamon Apple Snack Attack

Sometimes days get overwhelming between classes, studying, meeting up across the Quad, or headed to practice. And, it is super easy to resort to high carb junk food from the vending machine or cafeteria as a filler between meals. Move along!

Keep a few simple ingredients in your pantry for 'On The Run' moments during your busy college day! The Pioneer Woman recently posted one of her family's 'go to' snacks while hitting the ski slopes this winter. 

See what you think! Simple. Tasty. Filling.

Cinnamon Apple Snack Attack

Equipment:

Regular, or toaster, oven

Ingredients:

English Muffins

Peanut Butter, crunchy or smooth

Apple, thinly sliced

Cinnamon Sugar (1/2 c sugar plus 2 tsp ground cinnamon)

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands and the apple.

2. Preheat toaster oven to 350F degrees.

3. Core & slice apple. Cut into thin slices. 

4. Spread peanut butter on each muffin half and layer with apple slices.

5. Sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar. 

6. Bake for 10 minutes. Sugar will begin to melt and apples will brown slightly.

7. Turn oven to Broil and bake x 5-8 minutes.

8. Allow to cool before chow-ing down and burning the roof of your mouth.

Go Nuts

Munchies killing your gym efforts? Is your stomach growling in between classes, but don't want junk food? Try going nuts! Yep, those crunchy, fat-laden bites can do wonders for your health in small doses while curbing your appetite.

Some quick facts about a few of the healthiest ones! Then, grab a few!

Disclaimer: 
This post pertains only to individuals who have no food, no nut, and no other serious and/or life threatening allergies.  

(Adapted from Muscle & Fitness Hers magazine)

Almonds

natural appetite suppressant

stops thinking about food

curbs the craving

anti-inflammatory

lowers cholesterol

• 164 kcal
• 6 g protein
• 6 g carbs
• 14 g fat

1. use in salads
2. snack between meals
3. Great toasted!

Walnuts

anti-inflammatory properties

counter premature aging

preserve brain functioning

high anti-oxidants

• 185 kcal
• 4 g protein
• 4 g carbs
• 18 g fat

1. Add to salads
2. Make pesto with walnuts instead of expensive pine nuts
3. Great in pasta dishes for added crunch
4. Keep a bag with you for snacking on-the-go.

Pistachios

loaded with anti-oxidants

lower "bad"cholesterol

slows you down

related to the cashew

• 159 kcal
• 6 g protein
• 8 g carbs
• 13 g fat

1. Add to fruit salad
2. Add to yoghurt
3. Perfect on their own without anything else

Go Nuts iPhone5 Case

Go (Other) Nuts

Macadamia Nuts

Cashews

Peanuts

Hazelnuts

Pecans

Strawberry Mint Wheatberry Salad

It was great having the Oscar party last weekend. On top of that, Jon showed up to visit from Iowa University for the entire shin-dig with friends and (a lot of) food--good thing he did, or we would still be eating leftovers.  At the end of the evening we pretty much sent our guests home with full meal 'doggy bags', especially Jon, who was headed back to school the following morning…and "needed food".

Since a party usually involves a lot of decadent foods, I try to include a few healthy options as well as a few dishes for our vegetarian friends.  It is also an opportunity for me to try new things. This is one such recipe--not your traditional college-type post, but many of you are like our son who wants GOOD and HEALTHY food along with all the fun stuff!

Check out the salad we made for our Oscar party from Giada's newly published 'Feel Good Food' cookbook.  I exchanged feta for goat cheese and added extra amounts.  And I added pomegranate seeds for extra crunch! 

Simple, flavorful, filling, budget-friendly, and healthy.  Great salad to add to any meal.  Take a serving along to class.

Eat well. Dream Big. Never Settle. Try Something New Today!

Equipment:
5-quart saucepan with lid
Mixing bowl

Ingredients:
2 cups of wheat berries
4 cups of vegetable broth
1/2 tsp kosher salt

Dressing:
Zest of 1/2 orange
1/2 cup of orange juice
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbls agave syrup (or use honey)
1/4 cup packed mint
1/2 tsp kosher salt
Fresh pepper

Add-in:
10 medium-sized strawberries, hulled and quartered
2-4 oz goat cheese or feta, diced

1-2 cups pomegranate seeds (not pictured)

Instructions:
1. Wash your hands.
2. In a large saucepan, bring vegetable broth, salt and wheat berries to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to SIMMER and cover x 20-25 minutes until tender.
(Cooking times may vary depending on brand or type of wheat berry).

4. Drain and set aside in your mixing bowl.
5. While the wheat berries are cooking, prepare your dressing by whisking all ingredients together.
--zest orange

--1/2 cup o.j.

-- oil, mint, salt, and pepper.

6. Add dressing to the wheat berries.

7. Wash, hull, and quarter your strawberries. Add to salad.

8. Crumble your feta or goat cheese. Add to salad.

9. Toss everything together. You are ready to go.

Simply Roasted Edamame

Roasted edamame may not sound exciting to most of you, but if you tagged on 'the freshman fifteen' this year, you might just be looking for a few healthy snacks other than baby carrots.

Do not be fooled.  Despite it's simplicity, this recipe is delicious for snacking; and, it's a recipe you can build on if you want more complexity.  Try adding in sautéed garlic, shallots, a dash of red wine vinegar and olive oil...just a suggestion for a simple side protein.

Equipment:

Oven

Baking pan or "jelly roll" pan (it needs sides)

Ingredients:

Frozen bag of edamame, or double it

Olive oil

Salt & Pepper

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Preheat oven to 250F degrees.

3. Open the bag of frozen edamame.

4. Spread onto pan

5. Sprinkle with olive oil.

6. Salt &Pepper

7. At 20 minutes, remove the pan and shake pan to re-distribute beans.

8. Finish roasting until beans slightly wrinkled with a touch of brown, about another 20 minutes.

9. If adding shallots, garlic, vinegar, toss it altogether in a bowl and then season to taste with S & P and olive oil.

10. Be surprised at how good 'simple & healthy' can taste!

Don't forget Father's Day!