Icebox Banana Crunch Pops

Numerous health resolutions are attempted on New Year's Day of each year with zeal and determination; however, as the winter months drag on, it is easy to give up on maintaining exercise and good eating habits.

One way to prep and keep healthy snacks abundant is to utilize your freezer more, and pack it full of Grab 'N Go' goodies!

This was a great idea presented on Brunch with Bobby Flay...provided you like bananas, granola, Nutella, and crunchy treats in general! 

Tip: Use real popsicle sticks, not the skewers I had to resort to!

Icebox Banana Crunch Pops

Equipment:

Popsicle Sticks

Parchment paper

Baking sheet with parchment

Ingredients:

Fresh bananas, peeled and halved

1/2 c almond/peanut/cashew butter

2 Tbls honey

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Granola, bought or your own

Nutella, warmed to drizzle

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Prep the bananas and skewer on popsicle sticks.

3. Combine nut butter, honey and cinnamon.

4. Spread nut butter mixture around banana halves and roll in granola.

5. Warm your chocolate sauce or Nutella for drizzling. 

6. Layer onto baking sheet and freeze.

7. Grab after the gym or on your way to class. 

This frozen banana is like smooth like ice cream and then followed with a delicious chocolate-y crunch of granola goodness.

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

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!