For a fun and festive appetizer or snack for Valentine's Day, try this heart shaped veggie platter served with a beautiful red beet hummus.  We used cucumbers, radishes and red peppers and cut them into heart shapes.  Red Beets are a great source of potassium, magnesium, fiber, phosphorus, iron, vitamins A, B & C, beta-carotene, and folic acid, among many other wonderful nutritional benefits.  The recipe follows for this delicious variation to traditional hummus.   This makes a great dish to enjoy with your sweethearts!

Ingredients:

• 1 small beet*, peeled and quartered
• 1, 15-oz can of white beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 cloves garlic
• Juice of 1 lemon – about ¼ cup
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp salt

Directions:
1.    In a food processor or blender, add beets, white beans, garlic, lemon, tahini, salt and cumin. 
2.    Blend well until smooth and creamy. Add water to thin, if needed
3.    Serve with Pita chips and/or veggies.

*Can also use roasted beets

Ingredients:

• 4 cups rolled oats
• ½ cup ground flax seed (and about ¼ cup whole flax seeds)
• 1 cup chopped raw unsalted nuts, such as: almonds, walnuts or cashews
• 1 cup raw unsalted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
• 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice
• 2/3 cup maple syrup
• ¼ cup coconut oil, melted

Directions:

1. Add oats, nuts, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds, and coconut.  Sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together maple syrup and melted coconut oil.  Pour over granola and mix well to coat.
3. Pour onto sheet pans covered with parchment paper.  Bake at 250 degrees until golden and toasted about 45 minutes.  Watch closely and stir about every 10 minutes.  *If using a dehydrator, pour granola onto dehydrator sheets, and set temperature to 115 degrees for about 8 hours until everything is well toasted.
4. Remove from oven or dehydrator and add raisins, cranberries, dates, apricots and/or any other favorite dried fruit.
5. Cool and store in an airtight container.

 
Coconut Milk Yogurt Parfait
Ingredients:

• Granola
• Fresh Fruit
• Coconut Milk Yogurt, Vanilla flavor is the best!

Directions:

1. Layer granola, coconut milk yogurt and fruit into a glass, about 2 or 3 layers per serving.

Ingredients:

• spinach tortillas and/or flour tortilla

 
Filling:

•  cream cheese, I use dairy free Daiya cream cheese with chive and onion
• 1 cup shredded carrots
•  handful of spinach
• 1 cup red bell pepper, julienned

Garnish:

• parsley, chives, basil

 Other filling ingredients:  cucumber, sprouts, lettuce, tomatoes, red bell pepper hummus

Ingredients:

•  1 -15 oz. can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
•  1 red bell pepper
•  1 garlic clove
•   juice of 1 lemon, about ¼ cup
•  2 tbsp. tahini
•  1 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper, optional

 
Directions:
 
1.    Blend all ingredients together in a food processor until smooth. 
2.    Serve with raw vegetables or as a spread for tortilla or green wraps.

Click here for more information on the Food Processor and here for more information on the wavy vegetable slicer that I used for the cucumbers.

To view my demonstration video making the hummus click here.

​I always take raw almonds with me everywhere I go.  I keep them in my car and they always come in handy when I need a quick and healthy snack.  They are low in cabs but rich in protein and fiber, so they help you feel full and you will be less likely to snack on unhealthy foods.    Almonds are loaded with antioxidants and many essential nutrients. They are very high in Vitamin E, which protects cells and lowers risk of many diseases.  Almonds are also high in magnesium which helps regulate blood pressure. We spiced them up with a little cinnamon and sugar for a nice holiday treat!

Guacamole is always a favorite in our house! Try our delicious version with some extra veggies added! You will never know there is broccoli in it!  Served with fresh vegetables, it makes a great appetizer or snack!

​This is great spread to use in lettuce, Swiss chard or collard green wraps. They are so flavorful and delicious and filled with lots protein and veggies. Best of all they are kid approved! My son loves these!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw almonds, soaked and drained
  
• 1 cup sunflower seeds, soaked and drained
  
• 1/4 onion chopped
  
• handful of parsley (can also add other herbs: basil, oregano, mint)
  
• 1 carrot, cut into chunks
  
• 1 rib celery, chopped
  
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  
• 1 tsp ground cumin
  
• 1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Add almonds, sunflower seeds, onion, celery, carrots and parsley to a food processor and pulse until everything is blended and finely chopped.
   
2. Add lemon juice, cumin and salt and mix well.
   
3. Serve in lettuce cups, bell pepper or as a dip for crackers.

​We love these No Bake Protein Bites for a quick, healthy snack anytime! They are simple to make, and we usually always have the ingredients on hand. We make many variations by adding other favorite ingredients, but we really love this one!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
  
• 1/2 cup raisins
  
• 1/2 cup grated carrots
  
• 1/4 cup ground flax seeds
  
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
  
• 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  
• 1/4 cup maple syrup or raw honey
  
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (or any nut butter)
  
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions: 

1. In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients and stir until evenly combined. The mixture should be a little sticky.
   
2. Scoop a tablespoon of the mixture and roll into firmly packed balls.
   
3. Store protein bites in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to a week.
   

​Enjoy!

​Enjoy a sweet and spicy burst of flavor with this delicious summer pineapple-mango salsa! Serve with organic tortilla chips or flax crackers or as a topping for black bean burritos.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups pineapple, peeled and diced
• 1 mango, peeled and diced
• 1/2 jalapeño, finely chopped
• juice of 2 limes
• handful of cilantro, chopped

Directions:

1. Add pineapple, mango, jalapeño and cilantro to a large bowl.
2. Stir in fresh lime juice and toss well.

Ingredients:

• 6 large radishes
• 1 handful of herbs: parsley, dill, cilantro
• juice of 1 lemon
• salt and pepper
• crushed red pepper (optional)
• 1, 15 oz can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained

Directions:

1. Wash radishes and cut off tops.
2. Cut radishes in half and add to food processor along with herbs.
3. Pulse until finely chopped. Add to bowl and mix in lemon juice, garbanzo beans, crushed red pepper (optional), salt and pepper.
4. ​Mix well and enjoy!

​We love these simple and healthy no-bake granola bars! A perfect snack on the go!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup rolled oats
  
• 1 1/2 cups walnuts
  
• 1 cup dried apricots
  
• 1 cup dates
  
• 1/3 cup almond butter
  
• 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
  
• 1/4 cup flax seeds

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375.
   
2. Spread the oats and walnuts on a baking sheet.
   
3. Toast until golden brown. (This is optional. To save time, you don’t have to toast the oats and walnuts).
   
4. Line a 9x9 inch pan with plastic wrap.
   
5. Soak dates in hot water for about 15 minutes to soften.
   
6. In a food processor, puree the apricots and dates to a paste (add water from dates).
   
7. Add almond butter and blend well in food processor with apricots and dates.
   
8. Scrape into a bowl.
   
9. Add oats, walnuts, coconut, flax seeds and salt to the food processor and pulse until blended.
   
10. Stir into the apricot/date mixture and combine well.
    
11. Press the mixture into the prepared pan and chill until firm, about 1 hour.
    
12. Cut into bars and serve!
    
13. Keep refrigerated.

​We love making various types of salsa. This one is a favorite and is loaded with lots of fresh veggies, herbs and protein! We even added some finely chopped broccoli to get an extra serving of veggies in there!

Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 oz) organic black beans, drained and rinsed
  
• 1 cup fresh corn, cut off cob or frozen corn thawed
  
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
  
• 1 red, orange or yellow bell pepper, diced
  
• 1/2 cup red onion or green onions diced
  
• 1 cup finely chopped broccoli
  
• 1 tsp ground cumin
  
• zest and juice of 2 limes

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the black beans, corn, bell pepper, broccoli, cilantro and onion and cumin.
   
2. Zest and juice limes.
   
3. Add zest and pour lime juice on salsa and toss well to combine.
   
4. Season with salt.
   
5. Serve with flax crackers or tortilla chips.

October is always our favorite month. Cooler temperatures, Fall Festivals, Halloween, and of course PUMPKINS! With some fresh cut vegetables, this pumpkin hummus makes the perfect Fall appetizer! 

Ingredients:

• ​1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup canned pumpkin (save the rest to make pumpkin bread or pumpkin smoothies)
• 2 tbsp. tahini
• juice of 1 lemon, about 1/4 cup
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• a sprinkle of paprika for the top

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients (except paprika) to a food processor or blender and combine well.
2. Add to serving dish and sprinkle with paprika.
3. Enjoy with vegetables and pita chips. 

​We love to make our own trail mix. The store-bought varieties can have too much added sugar, oils and processed ingredients. When you make your own trail mix, you can buy the ingredients in bulk and always have them on hand for quick, healthy snacks. Best of all, kids can get involved and make their own trail mix combinations with their favorite ingredients! I have shared a simple recipe below (no baking required)!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups nuts: almonds, walnuts, cashews, soy nuts (I prefer raw and unsalted)
• 1 cup dried fruit: raisins, cranberries, apricots, banana chips
• 1 cup seeds: sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds
• 2 cups extras: pretzels, sesame sticks, dried cereal, popcorn

​These no bake cookies are filled with protein, fiber, omega 3 fatty acids and much
more. They make a great snack and always satisfy a sweet tooth!

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 2 cup oats
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
• 1/2 cup cacao chips
• 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/3-1/2 cup maple syrup (or fresh dates for sweetener)

Directions: 

1. In a food processor, pulse the oats, peanut butter, maple syrup, cacao chips, cranberries, sunflower seeds, coconut, and flax seeds until fully combined. If you don’t have a food processor, you can just mix all ingredients together in a large bowl by hand.
2. Refrigerate dough about 30 minutes until easy to handle.
3. Form balls from the mixture and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Refrigerate and enjoy!