Are you eating enough protein at breakfast?

Protein needs at breakfast... are you hitting the target?

Check out this video from last week where I talk about exactly how much protein most of us need as a threshold to help build muscle, keep hunger and cravings at bay, and have sustained energy throughout the day.



This video was done live on Instagram the morning after the election here in the U.S., hence the pep talk up front. Regardless of where things are at when this email lands in your inbox (I pre-schedule these), please understand it's a principle that applies all of life. When we feel empowered by focusing on that which we CAN do, the things we don't have control over don't have strangle-hold. Do these other things (like an election) matter? OF COURSE they do! That's not what this is about. This is about moving forward with your life, your love, your purpose... no matter what.



XO,
Tara




P.S. Did you grab your copy of Smart Cookie: Healthified Holiday Dessert cookbook yet? It just came out on Friday and people are already making and loving the recipes! In case this is the first you're hearing about it, it's an e-cookbook (instant download) filled with 42 holiday dessert recipes ... all free of gluten, dairy, and refined sugar. Want to hear a little more about it? COME CHECK IT OUT.

Smart Cookie: Healthified Holiday Desserts Recipe E-Book

It's baaaaaaaaaack! (Well, almost)

If you've been hanging with me here for at least a year, than you might remember that last year I created a holiday-themed e-recipe book filled with DESSERTS. It's called Smart Cookie and contains 42 recipes that are free of gluten, dairy, and refined sugar. Some are baked goods, some are easy peasy no bake, and others use the crockpot or stove top. EVERY kind of nostalgic holiday flavor your heart (and mouth) desires like pumpkin, chocolate, cranberry, apple, gingerbread, cinnamon, hazelnut, etc.


This e-recipe book is an instant download. This means as soon as you purchase it, you get your very own link to download TWO copies -- the pretty one with all the mouth-watering pictures and the printer-friendly one in case you don't wanna use up all your printer's ink. ;-) 


It'll be $17 and available in a week and a half!! (Friday, November 6th). Mark your calendars and get ready to satisfy both your pull towards eating more real food.... aaaaaand your sweet tooth!


I'll send out an email with the link when it's available for purchase (so make sure you’re on the list!), and you can also grab that link on social and my website starting November 6th. 

XO,

Tara

Nut-free healthy snacks for kids

Nut-free healthy snack ideas for kids...

...that also happen to be free of gluten + dairy!



SHARING TODAY a few of the snacks the kids have been having at school so far this year. They help fill them up without making their blood sugar spike and crash... so these are some good ideas for adults too. ;-)



Are you a snacker or prefer to stick to your 3 meals?



Happy Tuesday,
Tara

20 Healthy Quarantine Recipes

20 Healthy Quarantine Recipes

Ok, so I know most of us are technically *not* in quarantine anymore (phew!), but I wanted to (re)share this free recipe e-book in case you missed it last time.


I find around this time of year, many people are home from vacations, getting ready for a new schedule in September, and excited about cooking again (maybe just a little?).


This recipe book is unique in that it focuses on pantry-friendly ingredients that you may normally have on hand or maybe you stocked up on when groceries were a bit tricky to get your hands on.


Regardless, there's lots of great meal and snack ideas and all happen to be gluten and dairy free.

>>GRAB YOUR COPY HERE<<

If you make any of these and post them on social, be sure to tag me so I can check it out!


Happy Tuesday,
Tara

What we're eating in quarantine: our healthy food plan

What are we eating during our quarantine?

Last week, on Wednesday, I recorded this video to show you a little peak into some of the healthy meals and snacks we have been relying on during this time in which we're trying to avoid stores and aiming to have more shelf-stable items on hand.



This video was recorded from my bathroom because.... #momlife ;-)



In a time in which we need to band together, share our most creative ideas, and stay connected through technology as we keep our distance for the safety of ourselves and others, I am opening up my email to all of you. Please shoot me a note at Tara@TaraAllenHealth.com if you have a question, need to vent, want to share something, or simply want to see if we can make each other laugh today.



I have been very actively posting on my social media channels during our quarantine. If you'd like access to daily home workouts (in my stories), food prep and recipes, or 'suddenly homeschooling while working from home' life, let's connect on instagram and facebook! 



Stay well,
Tara



P.S. What's happened on social?



Note to Self
Toilet Paper Workout (yup, seriously)
Quarantine Lessons
Teaching you what I learned in Salsa Class: Step #1
Kids' Stool Workout

Black Bean Chili Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Who doesn’t need a delicious, balanced, warming side dish or entree in the heart of winter?

The kids are off for winter break next week. While this brings a different level of (beautiful) chaos, it also means we can do a little more cooking and baking as after-school activities are cancelled and homework is pretty much non-existent. This chili-stuffed sweet potato recipe really hits the spot! It also happens to be gluten-free and dairy-free. Perfect for our family! Do you plan on trying this? Let me know what you think!

XO,

Tara

Black Bean Chili Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

(Serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 4 Sweet Potato (medium size)

• 1 tbsp Organic Vegetable Broth

• 1 Yellow Onion (chopped)

• 1 Yellow Bell Pepper (chopped)

• 2 Garlic (clove, minced)

• 1 1/2 tbsps Chili Powder

• 1 tsp Oregano

• 1/2 tsp Cumin

• 1 3/4 cups Black Beans (cooked, drained, rinsed)

• 3/4 cup Tomato Sauce

• 1/3 cup Water

• 1/4 cup Cilantro (chopped)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF (204ºC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Poke a few fork holes in the sweet potatoes and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until cooked through.

2. While the potatoes cook, in a medium-sized pot over medium heat, add the vegetable broth. Add the onion and bell pepper and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, or until cooked through. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Then add the chili powder, oregano and cumin. Stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low, and add the black beans, tomato sauce and water and cook for 6 to 8 minutes.

3. Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven. Slice each one down the centre and stuff with the black bean chili. Top with cilantro. Serve and enjoy!

Breathing technique for fat loss

One simple, free tool to help with stubborn fat loss...

But it's never THAT easy, right?

Here's the short and sweet description: When you are anxious or rushing or stressed, your brain feels uncomfortable. And when it feels uncomfortable, it will seek out pleasure in other ways (food, alcohol, etc.).

You may have noticed this if you've ever tried to go on a "diet" only to find no matter how simple the rules were, you couldn't stick it out as long as you had planned. Sound familiar? You haven't actually changed anything about your physiology! You simply tried to conform to a certain set of rules until it became unbearable. And if I know you like I think I do, you ended up in a binge / overindulgence cycle right afterwards. (How'd I do with that?)

Check out my latest Workshop Wednesday video in which I share a little of the why behind this phenomenon...and end by demonstrating a VERY powerful breathing technique that you can use at anytime to relieve stress and decrease your brain's desire to overcompensate with overeating or overdrinking.

How does that sound?

Tell me, do you struggle with this stress - overeating - fed up - restriction / dieting - give up and binge cycle?? It's soooooo common and happens to be something I specialize in. ;-) Let me know how I can help.


XO,
Tara


P.S. The holidays are coming!! Here in my neck of the woods (Long Island, NY), we've had a few 20-something degree days already! See the red nose above? Haha! The cold weather always brings out the inner baker in me. You too?

If you haven't grabbed my cookbook yet, what are you waiting for? It will be on sale through the holidays, but it will no longer be available in the new year. It's called Smart Cookie: Healthified Holiday Desserts and it contains FORTY-TWO delicious, wholesome, healthy, gluten-free, dairy-free, no refined sugar recipes. But MOST importantly, these desserts taste amazing and have been surprising healthy eating skeptics already these past couple of weeks!

GRAB YOUR COPY HERE
...and be sure to make the chocolate hazelnut spread pictured below. Only 4 ingredients! Take that, Nutella. ;-)

Can I help you create an exercise HABIT?!

Remember when you said you'd workout more often?

Maybe it was December 31, 2018 when you made that proclamation. Maybe it's been on your to do list for a decade? Or maybe, maybe you've recently decided that exercise (or ANYthing else) needs to be a part of your life in a more meaningful way.

We talk a lot about habits here at Tara Allen Health. My clients know alllll about habits as we work on breaking up with old ones and implementing new ones to create the health, body and lifestyle that aligns with their dreams.

Where are my DIYers out there? Today I want to get really tactical with you on how to start this process for yourself. There are 4 parts of a habit, and therefore, 4 steps to creating a new habit that will actually (seriously) stick.

And THAT, you guys, gets me very excited.

First, check out this video from last week all about the 4-step process. It has all the tangible advice you need to know to get started on creating whatever new habit you'd like in your life.

Then - for extra credit ;-) - check out THIS video that I posted inside my private facebook group as a follow-up. It will teach you why you can't seem to stick to a "diet" or plan even when you *know* what you should be doing. Better yet, it teaches you exactly how to work WITH the way your brain is wired so you can make progress and reach your goals. YES, YOU! It's about freakin' time, isn't it?

Side note: I mention my upcoming healthified holiday dessert cookbook coming in early November (so soon!) in the beginning of that video. I am SOOOOO excited to put this thing out in the world after dreaming about it for YEARS and working on it for just as long. Hard work usually happens when no one's looking. It happens when no one's there to give you credit. The results of your hard work usually come along much further down the road. Does this sound at all like what we talk about with our health + body transformation goals?! ;-)

I will keep you posted very soon!



XO,
Tara

Homemade Buffalo Sauce - vegan, gluten free

Buffalo sauce works on so much more than meat! (says the vegetarian. Haha.)

Warning: you’ll want to enjoy this buffalo sauce on pretty much everything from now on. The good news is with this homemade version you know exactly what you’re getting – and it’s all good stuff! Plus, you can adjust it to suit your taste buds.

Homemade Buffalo Sauce

Ingredients:

½ cup of your favorite hot sauce

2 tbsp plant-based or grass-fed butter

1 tbsp coconut aminos

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

½ tsp chili powder

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp onion powder

½ tsp black pepper

½ tsp cayenne pepper

1-2 tbsp honey

Directions:

1. Place all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir together and heat until warm, to mingle flavors. (Side note: I fully plan on using the word mingle more in my recipes.)

2. Taste and adjust seasonings to suit. This keeps in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.

I know making your own condiments isn't necessarily a beginner's game, but it helps you to control what you’re taking in and saves money in the meantime.

In health + happiness,

Tara

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta (gluten free, dairy free)

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
(Serves 4)

You. Must. Try. This! It’s delicious and full of plant-based protein.



Ingredients:

1 tbsp Avocado Oil
2 Garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp Arrowroot Powder
1 1/2 cups Unsweetened Almond Milk
1/2 cup Sun Dried Tomatoes (drained)
1 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
1/2 tsp Sea Salt
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
8 oz Chickpea Pasta (we love Banza)
1 cup Asparagus (trimmed, cut into bite-sized pieces)
1/4 cup Parsley (chopped)
1/2 tsp Chili Flakes (optional)


Directions:

1. Heat avocado oil in a pan over medium-low heat and add garlic. Cook for 1 minute. Add the arrowroot powder and cook for another minute. Then add the almond milk and stir to combine. Stir until the milk has thickened.

2. Pour the almond milk mixture into a blender along with the sun dried tomatoes, nutritional yeast, sea salt and lemon juice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add more water to thin if needed. Set aside.

3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and add the pasta back to the pot.

4. In a pan over medium heat, add the asparagus and sauté until cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Once cooked through, add the asparagus in with the pasta. Mix in the sun dried tomato sauce. Divide onto plates and top with parsley and chili flakes, if using. Serve and enjoy!


I mean, enjoying is optional…but why not?!



"See" you next week,
Tara

Summer Smoothies

Hey there,

Surprise! Today I wanted to share my new collection of summer smoothie recipes with you.

Smoothies are one of my favorite ways to get in extra nutrition as a meal replacement or snack. You'll notice each of the recipes is for one serving, but feel free to bump that up so you have some to share....or pour into ice pop moulds for a quick dessert!

My suggestion? Pick one or two of these to try this week. Add the ingredients to your grocery list and jot down a quick meal plan for the next few days or week.

Did you know that when you wait until it's time to eat to decide what you'll have, your primal brain takes over? That's why it becomes much harder to choose something healthy in the moment.

Instead, by planning your meals at least 24 hours (or more) beforehand, you can tap into your pre-frontal cortex (your "human" superpower brain) and make decisions based on your long-term goals.

You deserve to set yourself up for a win!


Enjoy,
Tara



P.S. Here's that link for the recipe book again. Feel free to print it out or save it for future reference. :-)

Trail Mix Granola

Is this trail mix or is this granola? Either way, it’s DELICIOUS.


Your home is going to smell AMAZING while this is in the oven. Warning: it’s addicting. Be sure to exercise portion control with this healthy snack.

Trail Mix Granola

Ingredients:

1 cup raw mixed nuts (walnuts, pecans, cashews, hazelnuts)
1 cup raw slivered almonds
½ cup pumpkin or sunflower seeds
¼ cup coconut oil, melted
¼ cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
½ cup unsweetened flaked coconut
1 cup dried cherries, blueberries or cranberries
¼ tsp sea salt
(optional: 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice)


Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees and line 1 or 2 baking sheets (depending on their size) with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, mix the nuts, almonds and pumpkin seeds. Set aside.

3. In a small bowl, combine the coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Pour over the nuts and mix well. Add the optional pumpkin pie spice and mix again, till everything is evenly coated.

4. Spread the nuts on the baking sheet(s) and sprinkle salt over the top of the mixture. Bake for 15 minutes.

5. Remove from the oven and stir the nuts to make sure they toast evenly. Bake for another 15 minutes and remove from the oven. Stir again, adding the coconut flakes. Bake for another 10 minutes to toast the coconut.

6. Remove from the oven for a final time, and let cool. Mix in the berries and serve.

Enjoy!

In good health,

Tara

Homemade coffee creamer and tea creamer (dairy free, gluten free, refined sugar free)

If you've ever been so inclined as to make your own coffee or tea creamer, then have I got a treat for you! :-) This recipe will let you have your coffee and your creamer too...AND feel even better about it! It’s a game-changer. And, you'll probably save a little money too.

Healthy Homemade Tea & Coffee Creamer

Ingredients:


2 cups non-dairy milk (coconut, hemp, pea, almond, cashew – your choice!)
2 pitted dates
Splash of pure vanilla
½ tsp cinnamon
(to make a mocha creamer, add 1-2 tbsp of raw cacao powder)


Directions:


1. Combine all the ingredients in a blender or food processor until well combined and smooth.

2. Taste and adjust flavorings.

3. Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. Be sure to mix it well before each use!



In good health,
Tara

Warm Apple Salad

Ready for a new side dish?

Warm Apple Salad
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

4 to 5 cups loosely packed spinach or spring mix salad blend
1 lemon, zested and juiced (separated)
1 garlic clove, minced
3 tbsp olive oil
Sea salt to taste
¼ cup onion, chopped
4 apples, sliced
½ cup toasted pumpkin seeds

Directions:

1. Wash the greens and place in a large bowl.

2. In a small bowl, whisk the garlic into the lemon juice. Stir in the sea salt and lemon zest. Whisk in the olive oil until it’s emulsified into a vinaigrette.

3. Pour half the dressing over the spinach and toss well. 

4. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and add in the onion, cooking until translucent and slightly caramelized, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add in the apples, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Toss in the pumpkin seeds to warm.

5. Add the onion-apple-pumpkin seed mixture to the spinach. Add the rest of the vinaigrette and more salt if desired. Serve and enjoy!



In good health,
Tara


P.S. I have just 1 (but I can be talked into 2) spots left for 1-on-1 coaching in June. If you are interested in learning more, you are welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call. We'll chat about your goals and what you need and find out if it's the right fit for us to work together.


P.P.S. If you prefer to check out some details - including the cost - on your own first, I totally get that! I'm the same way. ;-) Check out my 1-on-1 virtual coaching package here.

Easy Apple Dippers

Hey guys,

Ready for a fun & tasty new snack or dessert idea?

These are great for parties and perfect if you need something that doubles as an activity AND food source for your kiddos. :-)

Easy Apple Dippers

(serves 2) 

Ingredients: 


💚1 apple 

💚Dips (such as peanut butter, almond butter, melted dark chocolate, coconut yogurt, mejool date "caramel" 

💚Toppings (such as crushed nuts, seeds, dark chocolate chips, coconut) 


Directions: 

1. Using a melon baller, scoop out "balls" of the apple until you reach the core. 

2. Pierce each apple "ball" with a popsicle stick. 

3. Coat each apple ball with dip of choice and then into topping(s) of choice and place on wax paper. 

4. Place in freezer for at least 30 minutes. 

5. Enjoy!! 



In good health,
Tara

P.S. If you are always looking for new and fun (+ healthy) recipes for yourself and your family, grab my FREE 3-Day Meal Plan for Losing Body Fat. This thing is not only an awesome tool to spark momentum and results, but its’s chock full of delicious new meals and snacks to try! Grab your copy right here, right now. Hope you enjoy!

Greek-Inspired Veggie Balls with Avocado Tzatziki Sauce

Hey guys,

If you are anything like me, having a recipe that doubles-triples-quadruples as a variety of food types (snack, main dish, side dish, appetizer…) feels like a best-kept secret. This recipe has the potential to be that for you, too. Try it out and let me know what you think!

This recipe is plant-based / vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, no added sugar, egg-free, soy-free…but NOT free of flavor! ;-)

Oh, and the tzatziki sauce is really versatile as well.

Greek-Inspired Veggie-Balls with Avocado Tzatziki Sauce 
Makes 6-8 servings 

For the Veggie-Balls: 

16 oz. lentils, cooked 
3/4 cup onion, finely diced (set aside a little for the sauce) 
2 cloves minced garlic 
1 tsp dried oregano 
½ tsp cumin 
1 tsp coriander 
½ tbsp lemon zest 
1 tsp sea salt 
Ground pepper, to taste 

For the Tzatziki: 

1 ripe avocado 
1 medium minced cucumber, seeds removed. 2 garlic cloves 
1-2 tbsp diced onion 
2 tbsp lemon juice 
1 tbsp fresh dill (if using dried, use ½ tbsp) Sea salt and pepper 

Directions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

2. Mix together the veggie ball ingredients. Form into 2-inch balls, and place them on a baking pan. Bake for 25 minutes. 

3. When it’s time to serve, put all the tzatziki sauce ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until creamy. 

4. Serve and enjoy! 



In good health,
Tara

P.S. If plant-based and gluten free meals are your thing, make sure you grab my FREE 3-day Meal Plan for Losing Body Fat. Not only will you be working on those health & body goals, but you’ll get an arsenal of new recipes to try at the same time!

Dark Chocolate Love Bites

It’s Valentine’s Day week and it’s not too late to make something that requires minimal time + ingredients but looks super fancy…and tastes even better! ;-)

DARK CHOCOLATE LOVE BITES

Ingredients:

• 3.5 oz. dark, organic chocolate

• 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

• 1/4 cup slivered almond

Directions:

1. Fill one large pot with water and place a smaller pot inside. Bring to a boil then reduce to simmer. Make sure no water can get into smaller pot.

2. Add dark chocolate to smaller pot and stir continuously until melted. It burns fast…don’t take your eyes off of it to help with your daughter’s math homework.

3. Spread a large piece of wax paper across your counter. Place a heaping teaspoon of melted chocolate onto the wax paper so it forms a circle. Repeat until all chocolate is used up.

4. Immediately place 4-5 pomegranate seeds in the center of each chocolate and then surround with slivered almonds.

5. Let chocolate cool for 1 hour before peeling off the wax paper. Arrange on a nice plate or place in mason jar.

   Make sure you tag me on social when you share these beauties! ;-) Enjoy!

   In good health,

   Tara

Mac N Cheese Gone Wild

Hey guys,

Did you know it can do that? Me neither, but I thought it was fun to imagine those little dry noodles throwing a funky party inside their box when no one was looking. I hope the 'cheese' packet doesn't feel left out….I digress!

Alrighty, so I'm a realist. And, I'm a busy mama. Between the two, I realize that not everyone is making their own mac n cheese from scratch every time.

You have vowed to eat NO MORE bites of your kids' mac n cheese a million times. You are determined to introduce healthier foods to the family. You're also HUMAN and have a headache just thinking about banning their favorite boxed, yellow-orange pasta product from the house.

No worries! I've got ya covered today. Oh, and if you’re a DIY-homesteading-superwoman (my hat is OFF to you!), make sure you are signed up for my newsletter to get a constant flow of new, tasty, healthy recipes!

Ok, back to the boxed kind…baby steps! There’s no use having an extra reason for your kids to rebel or throw a tantrum. Let’s talk about some smaller steps to consider in order to first healthify your family’s favorite comfort food…

1) Dare I say it? Swap the box! Before you try to make mac n cheese from scratch, you might get more buy-in from the stakeholders (little humans in your house) if you start by choosing a different boxed variety. Rather than Kraft - which has lots of inflammatory ingredients - try Amy’s organic. They also have a gluten-free and dairy-free option if that fits your family’s needs.

2) Add veggies. This one works best when you do it gradually. You can start by adding some frozen butternut squash cubes into the boiling water with the pasta. The taste is sweet and it will break apart and enhance the color of the cheese sauce. Another great option is peas. These are small and you can start with just a few mixed in to get everyone use to the idea that green things can be expected in their food from now on. ;-)

3) Nutritional yeast. This can be found in most grocery stores or online and adds a cheesy taste to food - perfect for mixing into macaroni and cheese! Not only that, it also adds some protein and vitamin B12.

4) Sliced cherry or grape tomatoes can bolster the nutrition while giving your mac n cheese a “grilled cheese with tomato” feel.

5) Add mashed avocado into the sauce. Heck, use it in place of some of the sauce. More real food = a win! The avocado will add more healthy fats, creaminess, and …a fun color!

With these tips, you can steal a bite of your kiddo’s mac n cheese with a decent chance that you’ll actually have some real food in there!

*Warning: Results may vary. I make no promises that your particular child(ren) will be ok with any or all of these suggestions…but it’s worth a try! Try these steps one at a time for greatest chance of child consumption.

Which one do you think you’ll start with?

In good health,

Tara

Coconut Cherry Chia Overnight Pudding

We’ve been speaking a lot about healthy habits lately here at Tara Allen Health - what with the New Year and all. I can't think of anything more helpful than setting yourself up for success the night before.  For me, this looks like making the kids' school lunch and snacks, setting out my workout clothes (I either train clients or myself very early every morning), and taking a look at my schedule for the next day so there are no surprises.


Another helpful trick - especially if your mornings are typically frantic - is to pre-make breakfast for whoever you're responsible for feeding in the AM.  Some of my favorites that can be made ahead are overnight oats, veggie-egg cups, and this Coconut Cherry Chia Overnight Pudding recipe...

Coconut Cherry Chia Overnight Pudding
(Serves 2)

Ingredients:

• 3 T Chia seeds

• 1 cup coconut milk (or another non-dairy milk of choice)

• 1 cup chopped cherries (frozen or fresh - your choice!)

• 1 T raw honey

• Dash of pure vanilla extract

• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a glass container and stir well.

2. Cover the container and place it in the refrigerator overnight.

3. When it's time to eat, place a serving in a bowl and garnish with an optional teaspoon of almond slivers, or another kind of nuts / seeds.


If you try this recipe (or any of my other recipes) and decide to post to social media, please tag me so I can see it!  


Facebook: Tara Allen Health
Instagram: @tara_allen_health


In good health,
Tara

Pistachio-Apple Bars

These Pistachio-Apple bars are amazing!

Magnolia and Jagger’s schools don’t allow nuts due to children’s allergies, so we rely a lot on nuts at home. These bars are the perfect after-school snack or dessert!

Pistachio-Apple Bars with Chia Seeds (Servings 14)

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup cashew butter 

• 1/3 cup honey 

• 1 tablespoon olive oil 

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

• 1/2 teaspoon salt 

• 1 1/4 cups puffed rice

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats 

• 1/4 cup finely chopped dried apple 

• 1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries 

• 1/3 cup chopped dry-roasted pistachios

• 1 teaspoon black chia seeds

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°

2. In a microwave safe bowl, mix cashew butter, honey, olive oil, vanilla, and salt. 

3. Microwave on HIGH 1 minute. 

4. In a separate bowl, combine puffed rice, oats, apple, cranberries, and pistachios. 

5. Pour cashew mixture over puffed rice mixture, and toss gently to combine. 

6. Press into an 11 x 7-inch, greased glass baking dish. 

7. Sprinkle the top with chia seeds, pressing down lightly to stick them to the mixture.

8. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool, slice, and enjoy!

How do these sound to you?

In good health,

Tara

P.S. You can totally reduce the honey to make these even healthier. I’ve made them with about 1/2 the amount for a lower glycemic version (because...PCOS) and they were delicious!