Year: 2013

Nutri-Grain Bars Exposed

Melissa King 13 Comments

I used to eat these all the time so this hits close to home.

SAMSUNG

So glad I no longer do.  Notice the big seal on the front that says made with REAL fruit and whole grains?  Did you happen to see the very small writing next to it that says “natural and artificial flavors?”  Let’s look at the very long list of ingredients.

SAMSUNG

I counted 47 ingredients!  This is supposed to be a healthy choice?  Where do I start?  7 different types of sugar, cellulose (wood fiber), canola and/or soybean oil (most likely GMO) and carrageenan,which may be linked to some cancers.  There is caramel color in this as well.  Caramel color is also a possible carcinogen.  You can read more about that here.  Artificial dyes, like the the Red 40 you see in here, have been linked to hyperactivity in children.  This also contains natural and artificial flavors.  Please avoid this product.  If you need some healthier options, I have many homemade snack bars in my recipe index.  I also have a recipe for homemade nutri-grain bars.  They are easy to make and taste so good!  For a better store bought option, try Nature’s Path.  They make a similar bar with better ingredients.

Date Filled Thumbprint Cookies

Melissa King 12 Comments

These Date Filled Thumbprint Cookies are so good!  I seriously could not stop eating them! Let me start out by saying I love the thumb print cookie. I always have.

thumbprint cookies

I may, or may not have eaten 3-4 of them when they were done.  Okay, I am lying.  More like 4-5!  They were just too yummy! I have made thumbprint cookies similar to this before.  I have Cranberry Filled Thumbprint cookies on my blog already. This was the first time making thumbprint cookies in my vita mix.  Previously, I had used my magic bullet.  They came out so much better in the Vitamix.  I had never even had a date until a few days ago.  I bought them to make This Rawsome Vegan Life’s vegan raw snickers.  Up until now, I thought they were similar to raisins.  They are so delicious and creamy and not what I expected.

Date Filled Thumbprint Cookies

Date Filled Thumbprint Cookies

print shopping list
Prep Time 10 min Cook Time 13 min Serves 18 Cookies     adjust servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. In a blender, combine the almonds and the oats into a fine powder.
  3. Place that mixture in a bowl with the flour.
  4. Add all the wet ingredients minus the water in a bowl.
  5. Add wet to dry.
  6. In a food processor or magic bullet, mix the dates and a bit of water until they form into a paste and set aside.
  7. Roll the cookie batter into little balls and place on a lined baking sheet.
  8. Once all the balls are rolled, press them flat with your palm.
  9. Once all the cookies are flat, take your thumb and put a print in each cookie.
  10. Spoon a bit of the date paste into each thumbprint and bake in the oven for 11-13 minutes.

by

Honey Roasted Almonds

Melissa King 70 Comments

These Honey Roasted Almonds should come with a warning label.  They are really addicting.  Who doesn’t like roasted nuts?  Add in some honey and salt and you have yourself a delicious combination!  These Honey Roasted Almonds are perfect for snacking!

nuts

These would probably make a great gift as well.  They have a sweet salty taste that reminds me of kettle corn.  I LOVE kettle corn!  Probably why I could not keep my hands off yummy roasted nuts.

They are perfect for that time of day that you need something sweet, but do not want to grab a candy bar.  They also take only minutes to make.  If you like these, then you will probably love my Candied Pecans as well.

If you want to keep these totally vegan, you can use maple syrup instead of honey.  That works great as well.

Read More