I seriously over-snacked on unhealthy caramel corn during the last Presidential debate. A large bag found its way from the pantry onto the coffee table, and the rest is history. Stressful TV watching, especially for long-drawn-out periods of time, necessitates some serious snacking. However, if you don’t want to feel dreadful afterwards, you might want to prepare one of the following slightly more healthful snacks!
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies: These are a personal favorite. If you can nip out and grab a bag of almond meal and a jar of coconut oil, you’ll be good to go. They take about 5 minutes to make.
Herby Buttermilk Popcorn: I do love my corn, but feel awful if it’s not healthy. This is my favorite recipe:
- 1 tablespoon powdered buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herb mix
- 1/2 teaspoon powdered chicken bouillon or sea salt salt
- 1 tablespoon veggie oil (with a high smoke point: grapeseed, expeller-pressed canola or safflower)
- 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Prepare the seasoning mixture by combining all the seasoning ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well.
Simply pop the corn in the heated oil. Then heat the butter until it melts. Mix it into the corn and add the seasoning mixture.
Apple Slices & Almond Butter: This is an old favorite of mine, but the apples have to be crisp Fuji apples, and the Almond Butter must be fresh. I always feel fantastic after this snack.
Fresh Fig Crostini: This are insanely delicious, and especially good because many farmers markets and good grocery stores still carry fresh figs. In a pinch you can use dried figs.
Sweet & Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: If you’ve still got pumpkins hanging around, these are completely addictive!
This is a family favorite and very addictive!
Seeds from one pumpkin, washed, and boiled for 10 minutes in salty water. (Add 1tbps salt to each cup of water used).
- 1 egg white
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1tsp sea salt
- 1tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Beat the egg white, and then mix in the spices. Add the pumpkin seeds to the mixture and coat them well.
- Lay them out on a well-greased baking sheet or even cover the baking sheet with greased parchment paper.
- Bake for 10 minutes, or until brown and crispy. I suggest stirring and turning half-way through cooking time.
- You can sprinkle a little extra brown sugar on them before serving.
Blue Diamond Nut thins: I love this light, crispy snack. It’s delicious when paired with some homemade hummus or creamy goat cheese.
