Cranberry Almond Granola Bars

I hope you had a wonderful long weekend!

I know that it still "technically summer", but it doesn't really feel the same once September hits.

However, I must admit that I love the month of September.  It is usually still filled with warm days and the night are cool and perfect for sleeping.

It could be that I also love it because I am not a kid going back to school. ;)

I know this a busy time for year for all of us and I know you are going to be looking for something quick and healthy to tuck in your (and your kids) lunches. You are going to love these granola bars.

To be honest, these are the first of about four incarnations of bars I have been working on.  (Keep an eye out for future posts).

In the meantime enjoy these bars.  They are low in fat and super easy to make!

Cranberry Almond Granola Bars (Make. 24 Bars)

2 cups whole rolled oats
1/4 cup ground flax
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup applesauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly spray a 8x8 pan with cooking spray.

Combine oats, flax, salt and cinnamon.  In a separate bowl, mix applesauce, brown sugar, oil and vanilla.  Beat in egg.

Add dry ingredients to the wet and stir until just combine.  Add in almonds and cranberries.

Put dough into greased pan and press down firmly with clean hands.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until side are golden brown.

How did you feel about you or your kids going back to school today?

Stay Healthy,
Tracy

Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Dough Balls

I hope you had a wonderful Canada Day! I am sure many of you are still celebrating with a day off today.

I had to work this weekend, but I still managed to squeeze in a little lounge time to enjoy the lovely weather.

I also managed to squeeze in a little bake time.

I wanted to create a healthy dough ball using a ripe banana that was past it's prime.  Sure, I could have made some banana bread or soft serve, but I wanted something portable that I could take with me in my travels.

These are super easy to make (only one bowl required) and turned out great. 
The secret is this: Refrigerate your dough.

I have seen this tip in quite a few blogs and it really works!  It really helps all the flavours mesh and makes the dough much easier to handle.

Healthy Cashew Raisin Granola Clusters

I almost didn't get a picture of these. They only lasted a few days in my house.

Healthy Makeover: Strawberry Lemonade Bars

Oh, how I missed baking.  I am back and with a healthy makeover, no less. :)

I actually came across these bars while searching for a recipe to use up the copious amounts for strawberries I have in my freezer.

They are very similar to the lemon bars I made, but this time I wanted to try to make them everything free (i.e. egg free, dairy free, gluten free, vegan.)

So, what did I change?

• Reduced the sugar by approx. 75% and replaced with maple syrup
• Eliminated the eggs and replaced with flax
• Eliminated the butter, replaced with margarine and reduced by approx. 50%
• Eliminated the all-purpose flour and replaced with oat flour

They turned out rather well considering this was a first attempt.  These bars are not overly sweet and very tangy from the strawberry/lemon juice combo.  They didn't quite gel together as much as they would by using eggs, but overall I am happy with the results.

Next time I may try increasing the amount of filling by about a third so the bars are a bit thicker.

Product Review: Chobani Greek Yogurt

I felt like I was the only health blogger left who had not tried the goodness that is Chobani.

I have tried other Greek yogurts, but Chobani is the kind I have been hearing rave reviews about and I couldn't wait to try it.

Needless to say, I was thrilled when they wanted to send me four of their flavours to try.

Friday Favourites: Healthy Recipe Blogs

Happy Friday, my friends!

I have been feeling under the weather the past few days and am looking forward to getting things done this weekend.  Maybe a workout or two, enjoying the sunshine and doing some baking.

I often use other blogs as an inspiration for many of the makeovers I do and there are quite a few bloggers out there who do healthy cooking extremely well.  These ladies consistently post sweet and savoury dishes that will tickle your taste buds while being kind to your waistline.

Without further ado, here a just a few of those bloggers who share delicious and nutritious recipes.

 

No-Bake Date Peanut Butter Balls

Dates and peanut butter is one of my most favourite combinations for smoothies, so I thought that the duo would make some delicious bite-sized treats.

I was right.

It is hard to even call this a recipe, they are so easy to make. When you are looking for something sweet, these really hit the spot.  They also happen to be vegan and gluten free.  A winning combination in my books.

I wanted to add some powder to amp up the protein content, but I only have cookies and cream protein powder and I didn't think that flavour combo would work. Next time for sure.

Give them a try and let me know what you think!

Guest Post: Healthy Steps for a Gentle Cleanse,Part 2

Welcome back to Arja Pennanen Lytle from Balance Body and Soul Nutrition who is going to offer 11 steps that will help you cleanse the body naturally.  Take it away, Arja!

Follow the guidelines below for 10-14 days and reintroduce eliminated foods slowly to make sure that your body doesn’t react negatively to them.

Source

Recipe Repeat: Raw Coconut Date Squares

I couldn't be happier to see the sun today. It instantly put a smile on my face. :)  Do you know what might put a smile on your face?  These date squares!

They are raw, vegan, gluten-free, super easy to make and worth definitely repeating.  Perfectly portable and absolutely yummy, these would make a great addition to any party table.

Dates not only satisfy your sweet tooth, they offer some health benefits too!

• High in soluble fibre
• High in B vitamins
• Easy to digest

The recipe yields a very small batch but could easily be doubled.  Give them a whirl and let me know what you think!


Raw Coconut Date Squares (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Makes 16 Squares)


 

Recipe Repeat: Peanut Butter Balls

I don't have a fabulous new recipe makeover today.

However, following in the footsteps of my friend Lindsay @ Cotter Crunch, I decided to post a recipe that is worth repeating.

I have gotten more comments and feedback about these balls than any other recipe.  They are a fantastic snack, low in fat and have some protein to boot.  They also happen to be vegan.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.  (I think it is time for me to make them again. ;)

I'd like to think that my photography skills have improved :)

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls (Makes 30)

1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup oat flour
1/4 cup wheat bran
1/2 cup rice cereal
1/4 cup ground flax
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut
1/4 cup vegan chocolate chips

Line a large cookie sheet with wax paper.

Mix peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla in a microwave safe bowl.  Heat for 45-60 seconds.  At the same time, combine oat flour, wheat bran, cereal, flax, coconut and chocolate chips.

Remove peanut butter mixture and stir.  If it has not liquefied, heat for another 10-20 seconds.

Pour into dry ingredients and mix with a fork until incorporated.  Take about a heaping tablespoon of the mixture and squeeze in your hand to form into a ball.

Place balls on the cookie sheet and freeze for 15-20 minutes.  Store in the fridge.

Nutritional Information (Approx.)
59 calories
3.5 g fat
5.6 g carbs
2 g protein
1 g fibre

Do you have any recipe in your roster that you love?


Stay Healthy,
Tracy

Homemade Butterfinger Bites

Sadly enough, we didn't have any Halloween candy at my house.

We live in an apartment and don't get trick-or-treaters, so I decided it was in my best interest (and that of my waist line), not to get any candy.

However, I did make one exception.

I saw this recipe for homemade butterfinger bars from Averie, I knew I had to recreate it.

Healthy Makeover: Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

I finally did it!  After a few failed attempts, I had a successful recipe makeover. 

Here are the changes I made:

• Replaced the butter with olive oil and reduced it by half
• Replaced the sugar with honey and reduced it by a quarter
• Used whole wheat flour and oats instead of white flour
• Increased the amount of cocoa
• Reduced the amount of chocolate chips by three quarters

I am not usually a huge chocolate cookie/cake fan, but I really liked these.  The result was a cakey cookie that was not to sweet and very chocolatey.   I think they would be perfect to have with a chocolate peppermint latte, but that is just my preference :)

4 Misleading Food Labels

Have you ever noticed that names and descriptions often make a product sound healthy, even when it isn't?

I came across a product that was touted as "organic veggie chips".  When I picked up the bag and looked at the label, I noticed that the chips were deep fried.  Hmmm.  I am pretty sure that any of the organic goodness that may have existed got lost in the hot oil.

It is easy to fall for this marketing tricks when you are trying to make healthy food choices for your and your family.  To help you out, I have rounded up a few of the misleading food labels that you should be wary of.

Source.  What does "100% Natural" mean exactly?

Healthy Grocery Shopping Tips

Grocery shopping, much like doing laundry and washing dishes, is something that we will always have to do.

Whether you go everyday or once a week, making the most economical and healthy choices are probably on the top of your to-do list.

From the moment we enter the store, we are bombarded with colourful displays, prominent "for sale" item and impulse buys at the checkout.  It is easy to get overwhelmed and end up with a cart full of groceries, which may or may not be the healthiest choices.

Here are a few tips to help you navigate your way around the store and make better picks for you and your family.

Source

Chocolate Peppermint Latte (Not Pumpkin Spice)

Fall is finally upon us and I have to say, I love it.  It is the time of year for warm days and cool nights.  Perfect.

It is also the time of year when many blogs start to fill up with recipes that include all things pumpkin.  Pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cookies and pumpkin lattes.

Recipe Makeover: Sour Cream Coffee Cake

I heart coffee cake.

Jenna @ Eat, Live Run posted the most scrumptious looking recipe and I knew I had to try to make a lightened up version.

CanFitPro Workshop Highlights: Betty Crocker for Fitness Pros

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

In the spirit of listening to my body, I am officially working-in this week.  I have been pretty sore and tired the last few weeks and I suspect it is because I have been pushing myself a bit too hard.

Between classes and the CanFitPro Fitness Conference, my body is finally saying, "enough" and I really do try to listen to and respect what the body wants.

Speaking of the fitness conference, last week I promised to impart the lessons that I learned at the sessions I attended.  I am a girl who keeps my promises ;)

Recipe Makeover: Oatmeal Butterscotch Bars

It has been a few weeks since I was able to give any recipes a "Tracy twist" and I was so happy to get back in the kitchen again.

Remember those butterscotch chips I told you about?  Well, I finally found a home for them!

My 3 Favourite Sweet Blogs

Most of you know that I have a major sweet tooth.  Cakes,  cookies, squares, I heart them all.

Perhaps this is why most of my recipes (and makeovers) are dessert based.  I love baking and most importantly, I love eating.

It should be no surprise that I also love blogs about sinfully delicious treats.  There are many fantastic bloggers out there who focus on the sweet stuff, but I have narrowed it down to these three fabulous ladies.

Chocolate Malt Cupcakes with Malted Buttercream Icing

Remember last week when I was in the mood for something in between healthy and decedent and I baked up those lovely Gluten Free Carrot Cupcakes?

Well, this past weekend was all about the extreme....extreme indulgence. For another child's birthday, no less.

My nephew, Bradley.