As I was doing my routine grocery shopping at Costco, I came across a new bag of trail mix I figured I’d give a try.

I use to have trail mix and a cheese stick as a pre or post snack for a workout. Now, I “sprinkle” some over my salad and it is great.

I was enjoying a bowl of salad at work and one of my Register Dietitian friends noticed the trail mix in my salad and fell in love with the idea 💡

It adds flavor and texture. I think this trail mix option is a great one based on the choices provided. Very nutritious and delicious!

If you like trail mix add this to your snack options! So many ways to have it as a snack! 😋

Here is another 4StarFitChic certified share!

I just happened to be in the right place at the right time when the brownies were being shared by one of our Registered Dietitians. When I heard they were brownies made with Avocado, I was a bit skeptical about how it would taste. I mean, I have really come to a liking with avocados, but never imagined it being used in a brownie.

With healthier option ingredients made for this dessert, I figured, what the heck, Ill give it a try. THEY WERE SO GOOD!

I will say this, you can definitely taste the difference between a regular brownie and an avocado brownie. 😂

I am just glad there is healthier way to make and enjoy brownies without having to feel so guilty in indulging in a dessert!

Click the link below to follow directions on how to make these healthy sweet treat brownies! 🎉

https://www.wellplated.com/avocado-brownies/

I know my hubby loves making some fresh guacamole every now and then as do a lot of other people. Well, what about some fresh hummus?!

Any of these ingredients could be purchased at the grocery store, but what about if you had some of these ingredients picked from the garden?!

Not only could the ingredients you make the hummus with, be from a garden, but you could even use fresh picked veggies to dip in the hummus!

• cucumbers
• bell peppers
• broccoli florets
• carrots
• cherry tomatoes

Other side options to dip in your hummys is

• Stone ground chips
• Lentil Black Bean Crackers

I was graced yet again by a homemade hummus at work, which encourages me to be able to go grocery shopping for some fresh ingredients to make Hummus myself, right in the kitchen. The hummus that was made was wonderful so wanted to share the ingredients used for this particular flavor of hummus.

Ingredients:

• (2) 15 ounce cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup Tahini paste (ground sesame seeds)
• Juice of 1/2 to 1 lemon
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 to 4 tablespoons water (or as needed to make the consistency you want)

Now obviously with the ingredients listed above you can get a little fancy yourself with the flavor you want to taste. As we know there are different flavors of hummus out there. YOU have the freedom to create it in your own kitchen!

ENJOY!

I hardly eat protein bars or energy bites, but the ones that were provided at my job, made by our RD, I absolutely enjoyed. It did not taste chalky or grainy. With protein and fiber ingredients blended together you are good to go for a mini snack!

With these 5 ingredients, you too can make and enjoy a healthy and tasty energy bite to go!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of mejoles dates, chopped
• 1/4 cup tahini (sesame butter)
• 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
• 1-1/2 cups of Rice Krispies cereal
• 1/3 cup sesame seeds

Directions:

• Place dates in a food processor and pulse for approximately 30 seconds until it looks like a paste (you may need to add a few tablespoons of water)

• Melt tahini and chocolate chips in a small glass microwave- safe bowl in the microwave on HIGH for approximately 30 seconds.

• Add the microwaved tahini and chocolate chips to the dates in the food processor, and pulse until well blended.

• Add Rice Krispies to the food processor and pulse a few times to mix them with the blend. (Do not crush them)

• Using a wet tablespoon, scoop blend of ingredients out of the processor and roll into small balls in the palm of your hand (wet hands make process easier)

• Roll balls in sesame seeds, then store in fridge or freezer. Can be stored for up to 1 week

Quick Recipe share for those of you who like dips for their veggies. Definitely a healthier choice to try!

I tried this healthy version of dill dip a few weeks ago and really liked it. It had flavor and it was light and creamy.

As the Registered Dietitian who made this recipe explains, “It’s an easy and tasty dill dip recipe that has simple, clean ingredients. Great for veggie platters and packed lunches (snacks). Fat free, packed with protein and probiotics.”

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of plain low far Greek yogurt
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1 teaspoon f dried dill or chopped dill
• 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder

Serve with YOUR choice of fresh veggies. My opinion, you can never go wrong with the sliced bell peppers.

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients into a small mixing bowl. Stir well until they are fully combined. Adjust seasonings as needed, to taste.
• Serve directly after prepared or store in the fridge or air tight container for up to 1 hour.

This past Sunday we had the pleasure of spending some time with some good church friends at their house. A time to just relax, laugh, eat and enjoy each others time together.

One of the foods we had, was inspired by my friend, when she and her husband went out to a restaurant and fell in love with one of the dishes they had. She figured, she would try to make that same dish. She was a bit nervous in how it would turn out…well…IT WAS GREAT!

A nice light, favorable and healthy summertime dish to try! Check out the information below!

What you’ll need:

How to make the whipped Feta:

• Provides 4 servings
• 1 serving ~ 1 cup
• Calories: 128cal
• Carbs:~14g
• Protein:~2.5g
• Fat:~8.5g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g
• Fiber:~4g
• Sugar:~3.5g

Recipe found online

Perfect light and fresh snack for the summertime that can be used solely as a snack or compliment as a side to a main dish.

Ingredients you will need:

• From 1 large steamed corn on the cobb, use the kernels OR use 1 steam bag of corn kernels
• 1 medium avocado, sliced
• 3 diced Persian cucumbers ~1.5 cups
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes sliced in half
• 2 tablespoons of red onion, sliced
• 2 teaspoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVO)
• 1 medium lemon ~2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• fresh black pepper to taste

Preparation:

Combine all above ingredients together and BAM, ready to serve! Enjoy!

As I have had mango and black bean salsa before…. soooooo good- thought I’d share this recipe I found!

This salsa is high in fiber, and pretty to look at use to it being so colorful! With the ingredients listed to make this salsa if you have any left for the next day, it tastes even better the next day.  The recipe yields 2.5 cups and is very simple to make.

Ingredients:

2 cups diced fresh mango

2 cups black beans, rinsed and drained, if canned

1/2 cup diced red onion

1 to 2 tablespoons finely chopped, seeded jalapeno pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons lime juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions: 

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients.

Per serving (1/4 cup): 69 calories; 14 grams carbohydrate; 4 grams fiber; 0 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 3 grams protein; 199 milligrams sodium; 0 milligrams cholesterol; 10 milligrams calcium.

Enjoy!