WHAT ARE YOU SNACKING?

 

"A Roasted Medley"

 

 

Roasted Pecans, Almonds, and Pumpkin Seeds
with spices

 

 

Last night I created a healthy alternative snack to help me fend off my sweet tooth attack I'm currently battling.  I have given up junk food sweets and candy for Lent.  Hopefully I can hack it for 40 days.  But, why only 40 days?  Hmm... It's a start for me to see if I have the discipline in kicking the junk food addiction.  If I succeed, then I will go on further.  I must say it is hard because once the body is used to the artificial sweets it's a fight to ignore the addiction.  Remember the post on "Sugar Addiction"?  Sugar addiction is a serious habit that should not be ignore especially for too long.  Why?  The longer you are taking in sugary foods the more damage is occurring inside of your body.  Therefore, causing severe havoc on your blood sugar levels leading into diabetes and damaging your pancreas or losing limbs, fingers, toes, teeth, and eyesight.  Remember you cannot replace a pancreas organ.  Keep in mind cancer loves sugar.   High sugar foods causes weight gain.   

The past few days I've been reading up on how to make "healthy snacks" that can be nutritiousness for my body and help the body heal.

Here is what I've created that can satisfy a sweet tooth and hunger.  Keep in mind nuts and seeds are packed with healthy heart fats, vitamins, minerals, and protein!

 

Roasting Seasonings

 

• 1/2 cup of raw pecans
• 1/2 cup of raw almonds
• 1/4 cup of raw pumpkin seeds
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• 1 tablespoon of onion powder
• 2 tablespoon of nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoon of pure maple syrup
• a dash of sea salt *optional
• a dash of chili or cayenne pepper *optional
• 1 tablespoon of dried thyme

Tip:  You can use coconut oil or grape seed oil.  You can use honey, raw coconut nectar syrup, or raw agave nectar. You can use any nuts or seeds.

Mix all ingredients in a bowl

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all the ingredients.  Then on a baking sheet with parchment paper (optional) spread out the nuts and seeds on the sheet.

*You can drizzle little more pure maple syrup before it goes in the oven.

Ready to roast!

Roast in oven for 10 - 15 minutes only.  Do not over cook.

Your "healthy snack" is ready to munch on!

Get with THIS!
"Roasted Medley"
Alternative Snack

After eating this Roasted Medley you will feel no need to reach out for this...

 

Oh My Goodness Badness
"Sweet Table"

 

Keep it moving because you will have this baggie of healthy goodness...

Ziploc bag of Roasted Medley
with dried cranberries and dairy and soy free mini semisweet chocolate chips

Health Tip:  Portion Control is the key to maintain a healthy weight. Click here
The Secrets of Portion Control

Let's start in making that change to kick the junk food addiction!

 



TOP 6 HEALTHIEST NUTS

Are You Nuts about Health

I am totally nuts about my health.  I keep up with the latest news and learning things on what foods can do to the body.  Nuts are making a huge comeback.  It has become a wonderful fulfilling snack and top it off good for the heart.  How about that?  A mini snack that is healthy and great for the body.  Now, it depends on how the nuts are treated- extra stuff that are added to it such as, partially hydrogenated oils, is not good.   Partially hydrogenated oils are bad oils – known as man-made trans-fat.  I will get into this later in future postings.


Lets get back to the top six healthiest nuts:

1. WALNUTS – the “King of Nuts”- excellent source of manganese, copper, magnesium, vitamin B6, folate, fiber, protein, thiamine, zinc, potassium, and iron.  Also contains alpha-linolenic acid, antioxidants, phytosterols, and beta-sitosterol.  A healthy omega 3 essential fatty acid.It protects the heart- lowers cholesterol, promote better cognitive function, and provide anti-inflammatory benefits for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, and psoriasis.
2. ALMONDS- excellent source of vitamin E, fiber, protein, riboflavin, manganese, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, niacin, c alcium, potassium, iron, zinc, antioxidants, and phyosterols.  It reduces blood markers of oxidative stress, lowers cholesterol, good for colon, and almonds has as much calcium as a quarter cup of milk.
3. CASHEWS-  excellent source of vitamin K, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, folate, protein, potassium, selenium, manganese, zinc, iron, beta-sitosterol, antioxidant proanthocyanidins, and squalene.  It’s lower in fat than most nuts. 
4. PECANS-  excellent source of fiber, manganese, copper, protein, thiamine, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, beta-sitosterol, squalene, and antioxidant.  It lowers cholesterol and help clear the arteries.
5. BRAZIL NUTS-  high content of the essential mineral selenium.  It’s an excellent source of vitamin E, fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, protein, beta-sitosterol, squalene, and antioxidant.  Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that works to neutralize dangerous free radicals.
6. MACADAMIA NUTS-  excellent source of thiamine, manganese, fiber, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and selenium.  It contains high proportion of fat as monounsaturated fat, which is beneficial in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

The key is eating the nuts in moderation and a small handful at a time.  Eating a variety of the nuts is a good way to get the great benefits.