Delicious Snacks For Everyday Enjoyment!

my book 2Okay it has arrived, the blog you have been waiting for! How to make delicious snacks, you will get some ideas here on how to be a Smart Snacker, but if you want the full experience then join me on  November 1st, where you will learn how to make Delicious Snacks and get your very own copy of my new book.

The inspiration for the focus on healthy snacks is because everyone always asked me what they should snack on. I feel that people don’t really know what to eat when it comes to snacking. They either don’t think about it at all and pick up whatever they can find or think about it too much and get overwhelmed and give up. Then there are those people that follow the three meal a day rule and don’t believe in snacks at all. Well that just isn’t right, your body need to be constantly fueled by wholesome, nutritious and organic snacks – ideally made by you. If you can’t always make the time to do this then be sure to look at my approved packaged snack guide. But if you are ready and willing to take on making your own snacks, don’t fret, it is much simpler than you may think.

All you have to do is set aside some time, even an hour during the week to put together a simple delicious snack. This could be as basic as a trail mix or as intricate as apple-cinnamon muffins (which are still pretty simple) especially with my recipe! Whatever it is, if you have things on hand at home, then you are more likely to make healthy choices. When you have things that are ready to go  at home, then you can also pack them up and bring them with you to work, to school or even to the movies!

At the Vegetarian Food Fair this year the focus of my cooking demo was on healthy snacking. I got up in front of a room full of people who loved snacking as much as I do! It is also that time of year were everyone is getting there lives back on track after the summer, sending kids of to school and getting back on a regular work schedule. Which means it is also time to make time for your health and this includes snacking! The last thing I want is for you to pick up fatty, sugary and salty snacks that a full of empty calories and nutrients. I want you to have the opposite. Fresh, delicious snacks that you can enjoy every single day that are packed with protein, fiber, healthy fat and nutrients!

Here is a little taste of my demo at the Food Fair!

veg demo 2Setting up for my Delicious Snacks Demo!

a snackThe line up of ingredients used in my Snack Recipes

snacks and me

Making some Delicious Snacks!

sampling

Lining up to sample some of my Delicious Snacks

(Smoothie, Guacamole and Power Bites)

samples

 

Liquid Nutrition Smoothie

What’s in it?

2 cups rice, coconut, almond or hemp milk 

2 tbsp to 1 scoop plant based protein powder (sun warrior or vega)

½ cup blueberries or mixed berries, fresh or frozen 

1 banana, fresh or frozen

½ cup chopped mango, peaches or pear 

1 tsp raw honey 

½-1 cup packed fresh spinach leaves 

Optional Superfood Additions (1 tbsp of ) goji berries, cacao nibs, coconut oil, flax oil, chia seeds, carob powder, maca, matcha green tea powder, almond butter, acai berry powder, lacuma, mesquite etc..

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth and no lumps remain. Pour into 2 glasses and enjoy + sip with a glass dharma straw!


Wholly Guacomole

What’s in it?

1 cup cooked green split peas (1 cup frozen green peas, blanched)

4 green onions, 2 inch slice

3-5 tablespoons lemon or lime juice

1 teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon ground coriander

1 clove fresh garlic, crushed

½ bunch parsley

¼ teaspoon sea salt

2 large ripe avocados

¾ cup chopped tomatoes

How to make it!

  1. Put peas, green onions, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, garlic, parsley, (jalapeno) and salt into the food processor and process until well blended and smooth.
  2. Cut avocados in halves, remove pits and scoop out flesh into a medium sized mixing bowl.
  3. Mash avocados and mix in ingredients from the food processor.
  4. Stir in the tomatoes, taste and adjust seasoning. Chill.
  5. Serve with organic corn tortilla chips, slices of jicama or whole grain crackers.

Sweet Heart Cookies or Power Bites

What’s in it?

1 1/2 cups whole raw almonds (or sunflower seeds for a nut free option)

2 tbsp hemp seeds

1 cup chopped dates

1/4 cup goji berries

2 tbsp cacao nibs or cacao powder

1 tbsp raw honey

1 tsp mesquite powder

1/2 tsp vanilla powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp sea salt

** for an extra boost – add 2 tbsp Sun Warrior Protein Powder

How to make it!

Place all the ingredients into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until you get a thick “doughy” consistency. Spread out and cut into “heart” shapes with a cookie cutter or roll and flatten into 2 inch cookies. Or feel free to roll them into little balls for quick power bites – perfect for your purse or a midday snack after a workout!

Do you love Delicious Snacks?

Do you want to come to my Delicious Snacks Class on November 1st?


Delicious Desserts without Guilt!

How you ask?
Well all it takes is some education and a little planning. You just have to fill your kitchen with the right ingredients if you want to make simple substitutions to your dessert favourites. And guess what …I can teach you how.
In this cooking class I will be outlining the different sugar alternatives that are available to you to use with ease. Not to mention their individual sweetness and subtle flavours. I will also be discussing whole grain flours flours that can be used rather than traditional white or now more commonly used whole wheat. These new whole grain alternative flours that can be used in your baked recipes, have some incredible health benefits and you can’t even taste the difference!
Most importantly I will cover how baking can be done without any dairy. That means no milk, cream, butter or eggs. Baking can be done without these timely staples. It is really that simple!
You will now have more fun than ever while baking your favourite recipes!
So come and join me on Wednesday August 20th for a wonderful and delicious exploration of healthy baking at it’s best.
Here is a recipe just to get your taste buds going….
Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
3/4 cup spelt flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (you can do more…I always do!)
1/2 sucanat (natural form of sugar)
1/4 cup maple sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/4 cup applesauce
1/4 cup sunflower oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup raisins
1. Preheat oven to 350 F
2. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silpats.
3. Mix together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
4. Mix sugars, maple syrup, apple sauce, oil and vanilla together in bowl. Add flour mixture and stir until blended. Stir in the oats and raisins.
5. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
6. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto the cookies sheets.
7. Bake for 12-14 minutes and let them cool for 5-8 minutes on cookie sheets then scoop onto a cooling rack.
8. Enjoy them with a glass a cold glass of Vanilla Rice Milk.!

Who knew rolling sushi could be so simple?

July 10, 2008 by Marni Wasserman  
Filed under Nourishing Resources

Everybody loves going out to eat Sushi. But wouldn’t it be nice to make Sushi at home? Well those participants who came to join me last night for the AMAZING ASIAN cooking class, had the chance to do just that.
There is such fear around making sushi. People seem to think that it is so difficult and tell themselves, “I can’t do that”! Well I will tell you what, you can! Also nobody thinks that sushi can taste that good if it’s made out of brown rice…wrong again!
So let’s go through the steps and simplify this for you.
All you need is a Bamboo sushi mat (approximately $2.00), some short grain brown rice, thinly sliced veggies of your choice (carrots, cucumber, avocado, scallions, mushrooms etc…) Nori (seaweed) sheets, water to dip your fingers in and a sharp knife. You can even add your own condiments such as yellow pickled ginger and wasabi.
There really is no skillful technique, just some practice. All you need to do is place the nori sheet on the bamboo mat vertically, spread the rice out on the nori filling it out abot half way or more, place your veggie strips in a line across the middle …and then get ready to roll. Wrap the bottom layer over itself with the bamboo and give it a tight press on each turn and go all the way through until you have one rolled up sushi log. Then sliced it up into 8 little bit sized pieces.
And there you have it, Sushi at home. This was definitely the highlight of last nights class. Everyone was amazed at how simple it really is to make healthy vegetarian sushi at home.