Healthy Snacks

I have been trying to eat healthier, but my biggest problem has been at work. I am a one of those people that snacks all day long. I don't understand people who can not eat breakfast or anything until lunch.....I have to snack throughout the day or I get so hungry. I keep a snack stash at work and it is usually full of 100 calorie snacks, but I know they are low in calories but not healthy at all. If you are going to eat healthy it takes some planning and preparation, so I finally went to the grocery store this weekend and bought some healthy snacks.

I have a small refrigerator in my classroom, so I bought vegetables and fruit and I found a recipe online for a healthy vegetable dip made out of low-fat Greek yogurt and a Ranch seasoning packet....it tastes just like Ranch dressing to me. I also found a recipe for a homemade trail mix and a healthy granola bar. I made them last night and put them in Ziploc bags so I can bring them to work. The granola bar recipe is very easy and so much better for you than the store bought kind with tons of preservatives and sugar!

Healthy Homemade Trail Mix

1 Box of Whole Wheat Chex
Low-Fat Pretzels
Nuts ( I used pecans and walnuts)
Dark Chocolate Chips

Raisins (you could use craisins or any dried fruit you like)

Homemade Granola Bars

2 Cups of Trail Mix (any variety)... I used a Mountain Trail Mix
2 Cups of Oats
1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1/3 Cups Honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

Chocolate chips (My trail mix had M&M's)

1. Preheat oven to 350, and spray cooking spray on a 12X9 inch cake pan

2. Combine oats, trail mix, and cinnamon in a medium size bowl

3. In a large bow, whisk together the eggs, honey, and vanilla. Add the oat mixture to the egg mixture and stir until completely combined (if you don't combine it really good the bars won't stick together!)

4. Poor mixture in to the baking pan, and flatten with a spoon to spread evenly

5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Let the bars cool, and then slice and serve!

I also painted the bookcase I got last weekend at the Sawmill. Here is a look at how it turned out....

Before

After

On Saturday, I visited my friend Katie and this little guy...isn't he so adorable :) We ate lunch and it was good to get to talk and catch up with each other.

Me and Ryan