1-Minute Roasted Almond and Broccoli Slaw

Ever since I tried a yummy sample at Trader Joe's, I have been wanting to try something like this. Considering almonds are one of the bests nuts you can eat and broccoli is one of the best veggies, they are a super combo!

It's more of a summery dish, but that hasn't stopped me from enjoying this broccoli slaw all day!

Roasted Almond Broccoli Salad

4 c fresh broccoli
1 c roasted almonds
1/4 c balsamic or rice wine vinegar
1/4 c raisins, unsweetened (suprisingly Dole sweetens raisins!)
1 apple

In a food processor, pulse all ingredients for just a quick minute or so, and enjoy! 



Notes

• This salad becomes more flavorful the longer it sits.
• This becomes an easy and complete meal, and tastes delicious, when combined with some brown rice (this combination grain is awesome!) and some garbanzo beans.
• If you aren't craving a cold salad, this dish is tasty warm.

COMMENTS: What is your favorite way to eat broccoli?  My kids like it frozen!  I love it in this stir-fry, and this post's recipe is my new favorite way to eat raw broccoli!

Sweetly Stuffed Celery!

This is a refreshing way to have a Laraball, get some extra veggies, and cool off on a hot spring day! Most flavors of Laraballs (or sweet balls, as some call them!) will work.

Except, and I never thought I would say this, but I can't see chocolate tasting great with celery!

PB&J Poppers, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough, and Cashew Cookie work especially well.

Here I used Cinnamon Cranberry Confections, yum!

1/3 c walnuts

1/4 c almonds

1/3 c raisins (with no added sugar!)

1/8 c dried cranberries (unsweetened - finding is a challenge!)

1/4 tsp cinnamon

Blend above ingredients all together in a food processor, fill your celery slices, chill for a bit (optional), and enjoy!

 

OTHER great ways to enjoy Laraballs!

Apple Brownie Sandwich

Berry Berry Brownies

Best Banana Bites

Six Awesome Almond Products from Costco!

A buyer for Costco LOVES almonds, and I know why!

Delicious snacks listed in order from healthiest at the top...

All are pretty healthy TREATS at the very least, and most even worthy of more frequent snacking!

All nuts are AWESOME (awesome for energy!), and some nutrition experts would even say that ALMONDS top that list!

A key to getting the most nutritional bang for your buck is to REPLACE other less healthy fats with NUTS! ...rather than just adding them into your diet without making other changes.

Almond Products at Costco (other Costco stuff!)

#1 Raw Almonds

Try Orange Almond Biscottis or Cinnamon Cranberry Confections or Healthy Cranberry Cookies!

#2 Dry Roasted Almonds

#3 Maranatha Almond Butter (no photo)

Check out Nut Butters are Neat-O!

#4 Almond Accents

AWESOME eaten on their own like chips as a snack!  AND even on a small scoop of ice cream! 

...you could pretty easily chop up the roasted almonds (purple lid) and add a bit of pepper for a similar snack ...minus the extra ingredients found in this product.

#5 Dark Chocolate and Almond Bark

Impressive 3 grams of fiber per serving!

#6 Thin Addictives

3 delicious thinly sliced cookies per 100-calorie packet!

COMMENTS: Are you doing any spring cleaning?  I LOVE getting organized and getting things clean!  You can't beat the sense of accomplishment!  Have any tips to share?  Or other great Costco products to recommend?

Chocolate Raspberry Kiss Muffins

Happy Valentine's Day!

Enjoy these delicious sugar-free (besides the semi-sweet chocolate chips) muffins!

Chocolate Raspberry Kiss Muffins

2/3 c walnuts
1/2 c almonds
1/2 c raisins
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c chia seeds
1 c rolled oats
3/4 c raspberries, frozen or fresh
1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips (CLICK here for benefits of chocolate!)

Heat oven to 375.
Cover rolled oats in water in a large bowl and microwave for 4 min.
Blend oatmeal with all other ingredients in food processor to desired consistency.
Fold in raspberries and chocolate chips.
Fill muffin tin, bake for 20, and ENJOY!

Recipe makes a dozen regular-sized muffins, or 2 dozen mini-muffins (shown).

Note: there are no eggs, so you don't have to be sure they are "done".  Cook to desired texture.

These muffins are a variation of Cranberry Cookies and Cinnamon Cranberry Confection Laraballs, so you may like these recipes too!

SHARE IF YOU DARE! Valentine's Day, love it or hate it? I assume if you clicked on this recipe, you probably love it, but who knows?!

Cinnamon Cranberry Confections

A new Larabar Ball for you to try!

Imagine the yummy goodness of a date and nut roll (if you can! not many people have them anymore!) -- without the butter and sugar!

Cinnamon Cranberry Confections

1/3 c walnuts

1/4 c almonds

1/3 c raisins

1/8 c cranberries

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Follow directions in Brownie Bites or go the Skinny Mints link to read more about how nutritious these treats are, as well as a recommendation for a food processor that is great for these treats, as well as for making baby food out of whatever you parents enjoy! We once even blended up a sub sandwich for our oldest child when she was still too little for sandwiches!

Let me take a minute to highlight some key benefits of cinnamon and cranberries!

Cinnamon

This sweet herb's main claim to fame is its ability to help stabilize blood sugar. This is not only beneficial to people with diabetes, but to anyone who ever experiences that crash and born that comes with a sugar high!

Cranberries

These berries have been found to prevent and significantly improve the condition of urinary tract infections! Effectiveness has come to challenge even the mostly widely utilized antibiotic drugs. They may also prevent cancer!

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WHAT DO YOU THINK? TELL ME IN A COMMENT: Do your kids like to help you cook and bake? What do you make with them? Do they eat more when they help?

No-Bake Carrot Cake!

Per request :) Plus, I gave one of these to a guy on an airplane and he said they were "FANTASTIC!" ...he also said he hadn't had breakfast; but hey, these could be your breakfast! They are nutritious and filling, and easy to bring with you where ever you go!

No-Bake Carrot Cake
1/3 c almonds
1/3 c walnuts
1/4 c raisins
1/4 c pitted dates
1/2 to 1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 to 1 tsp allspice
1/2 to 1 tsp unsweetened coconut
1 Tbsp pineapple juice (I use from canned pineapple in juice)
1/2 carrot (3-4 baby carrots)

Simply blend all ingredients in a food processor until they stick together like a gooey dough. You can leave a bit CHUNKY to better resemble carrot cake! Then you can put the whole dough ball into a resealable bag and make them into balls without getting gooey hands; one inch diameter works well. We keep refrigerated, though this probably isn't necessary. Freezing works really well too! Enjoy!

You can also try Skinny Mints (chocolate-mint Laraballs...like Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies) and PB&J Poppers!

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WHAT DO YOU THINK? Tell me in a comment below: Do you talk to strangers on airplanes? Has anyone ever offered YOU food? Would you eat it?