Healthy Chicks

As you know, I’m a big fan of experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, whether it be trying something new (like at-home sushi) or simply learning how to cook something in a different way by substituting ingredients.

Last week, I decided to take on both of those tasks by making something I’ve never attempted before, that is Asian Soba Sesame Noodles, and adjusting it based on my individual needs.

I followed a recipe from Tosca Reno’s The Eat Clean Diet Recharged! book, with a few simple adjustments and additions of my own. The recipe included a creative blend of delicious, lively ingredients like whole grain soba noodles, agave nectar, all natural almond butter, low-sodium tamari and more.

Instead of using the toasted sesame seeds as suggested, I kicked it up a notch by using Eden Food’s Seaweed Gomasio with Organic Whole Sesame Seeds, Sea salt and Sea Vegetables (Organic Dulse, Nori and Kombu) for a nutritional boost. I also added in some chicken leftover from a homemade Chicken Marsala my mother had made earlier in the week. I’d also recommend adding shrimp, fish, tofu, tempeh or extra veggies to make the meal a little more substantial.

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I’m usually not a nutrition bar fan, as most are really not nutritional at all. In fact, many contain more sugar, ingredients, and added chemicals (think: sugar additives) than a candy bar. EEK!

That’s why I’m always a huge advocate in reading the label. What’s the sugar content? Can you recognize those ingredients you’re eating? If not, I’d say your best bet is to skip it.

While I have my doubts about many of these bars out there on the market, ever since the Boston Marathon I’ve fell in love with the Truebar by Bakery on Main. These bars come in six delightful, flavor combinations (Apricot Almond Chai, Coconut Cashew, Fruit and Nut, Hazelnut Chocolate Cherry, Raspberry Chocolate Almond, and Walnut Cappuccino, with their slogan being “I’ve Got Nothing to Hide.” And in fact, they don’t.

I love that the ingredients are clearly listed on the label, without any marketing scams or hidden ingredients. Not to mention, all the bars are certified gluten free, Kosher, non-GMO, and both dairy and casein free, so they make for a great snack with those both young ‘n’ old with food allergies. A  bonus? They’re low in sodium, contain no transfats or cholesterol … Read More!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the beautiful, determined mother’s I know. Guiltlessly treat yourself to some of these No Bake Brownie balls, that take just minutes to make yet have a rich, decadent taste similar to truffles. While I altered them a bit, I owe a big thank you to SnackGirl for the recipe inspiration.

The best part? These little bites of joy are 100% gluten free (we have a couple gluten sensitivities in the house) and contain only a few ingredients – roasted almonds (which I roasted myself), pitted dates, organic cocoa powder, a handful of organic dark chocolate chips, and agave nectar – with a shake of powdered sugar on top for decor.

Next time I make these, I’m going to play around with them even more, trying out different combos like figs and maple syrup or cherries and honeys. More recipe combos to come…

Enjoy…I’m off to spend the day with my family on Fisher’s Island!

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I have a huge crush on granola. I absolutely love the taste, crunch and satisfaction it brings on a dull weekday afternoon. However, I do not love the nutritional content in many store-bought varieties.

While you may be tempted to buy the brands that claim they’re “low fat” or “sugar free” or “zero grams trans fat!” I highly encourage you to read the ingredients and nutritional value on the back of the box. If you look carefully, you’ll see that many contain unnecessary added ingredients, artificial sweeteners, a heaping amount of sugar, and ultimately a huge disappointment.

Take Kellogg’s Lowfat Granola with Raisins for example, which contains whole grain rolled oats, whole grain wheat, sugar, rice, corn syrup, raisins, almonds, glycerin, palm oil, molasses, modified corn starch, salt, cinnamon, nonfat milk, malt flavoring, polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, BHT for freshness, and guar gum. A 2/3 c. serving will tally up to 230 calories, and 17 grams of sugar.

When you look above, you can see that sugar is the third ingredient listed (after oats and wheat) making it one of the main ingredients in this granola. Not to mention the added corn syrup (a relative of … Read More!