5 Easiest Ever Almond Ideas for Holiday Party

Posted on December 20, 2015 by Jennifer FIsher

Time to get serious about last minute holiday preparations; it’s the final countdown to Christmas! I still have some shopping and wrapping to do, cookie baking with the kids, and prepping for my contributions to the huge family feast on Christmas Eve — oh and the brunch I’m hosting on Christmas Day.

In between all this, we’re squeezing in a Star Wars movie marathon of past prequels and sequels – even though we’ve seen these classic flicks numerous times, it’ll be good to be fresh for the new Star Wars – The Force Awakens.

So, we’ll need snacks – lots and lots of snacks, and preferably healthy things to nosh and nibble on that won’t make a mess in my media room! Almonds are one of my go-to choices for healthy appetizers and snacks – they punch a nice little pack of protein and are great source of other nutrients, especially iron, vitamins A and C, and dietary fiber. Another great thing about almonds (Blue Diamond Almonds are my favorite) is just how easy they are to incorporate into entertaining. Today, I’m sharing five fun and easy ways to crunch and much on almonds this holiday season – and into the New Year, too!

Simply eat almonds straight out of the can (or fancy serving bowl). I’ve never seen a soul walk past delicious almonds and not stop to pick up a few! A one-ounce serving (about 23 almonds) pairs perfectly win a light cocktail or glass of sparkling water.
This idea is for the kids (of any age) – Almond Lover Gingerbread Men! To keep it easy, use store-bought cookies and simply melt a chocolate chip on one hand (or pipe a dot of frosting) and press down gently with an olive. Use a piping bag filled with frosting to decorate with a little edible bow!
This is one of my favorite snacks with almonds — Almond Chocolate Apricot Bites! Just layer up the three ingredients (melt the chocolate chip if you want to be fancy so that all the ingredients stick together) and, viola, a yummy 20-calorie treat in mere minutes.
Chocolate Almond Popcorn – could this be easier?! Air pop some kernels and then, while still warm, top with your favorite flavor of Blue Diamond Almonds and chocolate chips. Toss together so the chocolate slightly melts – it’s like being at the movie theater and dumping candy into your big tub, but healthier!
Almond Lover Cookies are a favorite with my boys and only take a few minutes to whip up a batch and 12 minutes to bake – if short on time, double up a batch the week before and keep in the freezer!

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What are your stress-free ways to enjoy almonds, aside from straight out of the can?! Oh, and have you seen the new Star Wars movie yet — just a thumbs up or down, no spoilers! Let me know in the comments below — XOXO, Jennifer

This post was sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. However, all comments, ideas and enthusiasm are my own.

Healthy Movie Night Munchies | Chocolate Chai & Caramel Almond Popcorn

Posted on December 28, 2013 by Jennifer FIsher

We’re staying up late and sleeping in; all the family is on a slower pace thanks to the welcomed winter break. We’ve been watching old movies like It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34^th Street – tonight, we’re getting silly with National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. The kids always want snacks for movie night (and so do I) so we’re making two healthy treats – Chocolate Protein Chai and Caramel Almond Popcorn.

The Chocolate Protein Chai is a warm, wonderful drink I created for the Core Power blog. A healthy alternative to gourmet coffee shop beverages, this spicy, silky and satisfying treat is pumped up with protein from the high protein shake base and has much less sugar too! Check out the Core Power blog to get the simple instructions – it’s much easier than explaining your order to a barista!

For crunching satisfaction, my recipe for Caramel Almond Popcorn has always been a family favorite. It’s salty-sweet and popped right in the microwave in a brown paper bag without any fats or chemicals (like those nasty store-bought bags). Afterward, almonds are tossed in and it’s finished paleo-friendly drizzle of coconut oil and honey. Finger-licking yum!

Playground Swing Lunges – try 3 sets of 20!

After all this lounging around, tomorrow we’ll get moving. Maybe an easy run or bike ride with the kids and a stop at the playground for some improvised TRX moves like these park swing lunges.

So, what is your favorite healthy snack for movie night at home? Or, if you prefer the theater, do you sneak in healthy snacks to avoid the fake-cheese nachos and oily popcorn? Tell me what you take!

Healthy Snack Solutions + SunRype Fruit Strips #Giveaway

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Jennifer FIsher

School is back in session for the kids and extra-curricular activities are in full swing. Let’s see, we’ve got cross country (two different teams), Pop Warner football, band, robotics team, extreme performance percussion team, Boy Scouts, National Honor Society and school play practices. I’m surely forgetting something. It takes a lot of food to keep the tanks of this crew topped off and ready to roll, and quality snacks become ever so important this time of year when our dinner is often delayed for hours. Plus, I won’t lie; with marathon training and CrossFit workouts, I’m an all-day grazer, so I like to have nutritious snacks on hand so I’m not tempted to pig out on junk food. While some people say “out of sight, out of mind,” I say “out of sight, out of mouth” – I still dream about my chocolate M&Ms.

Veggies always make a great snack. Loaded with vitamins, minerals and micronutrients, plus many of my favorite raw vegetables like mini carrots, sugar snap peas and cucumbers have such a satisfying crunch. One thing I’ve noticed about getting my kids to eat vegetables for a (gasp) snack is the presentation. I’ve had lots of luck getting them to munch on mini salads by making easy-to-grab veggie cups that have a little dollop of ranch dip at the bottom. If you want some other ideas, I did a fun post on this for Litehouse Living on mini veggie cups.

Who doesn’t love popcorn as a snack? The average American eats more than 50 quarts of it a year and I know that I can’t pass up a bowlful once I smell it popping. As an alternative to store-bought microwave popcorn which is packaged with congealed transfats, sodium and chemicals, I like to microwave mine in a brown paper bag, plain and simple! It couldn’t be easier or healthier; most people are surprised to find out this can be done without fats or oils. For a special treat, my recipe for Caramel Almond Popcorn with Coconut Oil and Honey is fun to pack in backpacks or for movie night – and it’s even acceptable to most of my Paleo diet peeps!

Out of necessity, other snacks have to be grab-and-go – I like to call these types of “fast” foods either purse snacks or car snacks! Beef jerky has always been a popular with my family, now we have a new reason to love it even more. Recently at the TriRock Expo I bumped into the Austin rep for Krave Jerky and he hooked me up with some of their gourmet jerky – previously, I had only tried the Sweet Chipotle Beef Jerky but found out this Sonoma-based company has lots of other flavors profiles I love like Black Cherry Barbeque Pork and Basil Citrus Turkey Jerky. Not at all like gnawing on an old boot, as is the case with some jerky; low and slow braising is Krave’s secret to its super-tender texture. I’m a #Kraver!

One of my longtime favorite take-along snacks is SunRype Fruit Strips – they are fruit leathers made with only 100% natural fruit ingredients and no preservatives or artificial colors at all. This season debuted new fun flavors that the kids will love as much as you – Raspberry and Strawberry Watermelon.I also use them as fuel while running — they have 50 calories each, 12 grams of clean carbs and are easy to carry on the course. By the way, for full disclosure, I am an ambassador for .SunRype but would totally eat this nutritious, delicious snack even if I wasn’t. Whoohoo, I think I feel like giving one of y’all a case of SunRype Fruit Strips this week – just check out the giveaway instructions below.

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Movie Night Manna – Crunchy Caramel Almond Popcorn with Coconut Oil & Honey

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Jennifer FIsher

Did you know that the average American scarfs down more than 50 quarts of popcorn per year? I know I eat my fair share. In theory, this whole grain sibling in the maize family is a healthy whole grain snack, low in calories (just 31 per cup, air-popped) and high in dietary fiber. But, more often than not, the “healthy treat” is a real fat and sodium bomb. A study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest revealed that a large tub of popcorn (from Regal Cinemas), holds 20 cups of popcorn with 1,200 calories, 60 grams of saturated fat and 980 mg of sodium. This doesn’t even include the mystery yellow oily substance the concession stand pours on top after asking, “do you want butter with that”?

Store-bought microwave popcorn is even worse. For extended shelf life, the kernels are sitting in artery-clogging trans-fatty oils and use the chemical diacetyl for fake butter flavoring. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there are nearly four dozen other chemicals in a package of microwave popcorn including the aforementioned nasty diacetyl. Diacetyl vaporizes at high temperatures and seeps out when you open the bag and breathe in the buttery aroma. Repeated exposure to the toxic steam can actually give you “popcorn lung.” This sounds silly, but it is a serious respiratory disease known as bronchiolitis obliterans.

The good news is that you can make your own popcorn completely free of anything using a brown paper lunch sack. It’s as easy as making toast or boiling water. In celebration of “Caramel Popcorn Day” on Sunday, April 7^th, you can jazz up your plain popcorn with a healthier sweet coating. I hope you love my Crunchy Caramel Almond Popcorn with Coconut Oil & Honey recipe In fact, why don’t you pop in a movie tonight and make this salty-sweet snack can be the starring attraction!

Crunchy Caramel Almond Popcorn with Coconut Oil and Honey

¼ cup organic popcorn kernels
2 teaspoons coconut oil (I am fond of the Now Foods brand)
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoon Stevia (2 – 4 packets)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1-ounce (about 24) roasted, salted almonds
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Pour popcorn kernels into brown lunch-sized paper bag. Fold down top and place in center of microwave; cook on high for approximately 3 minutes or until kernels have slowed down to popping every three seconds. Set aside.

In 2-quart pot, melt coconut oil over medium-low heat. Add honey and Stevie, stir until well-combined, approximately 1 minute. Stir in vanilla.

Stir in baking soda; this will cause mixture to foam up. Remove from heat and toss in almonds and popped corn. Stir until popcorn is coated with caramel mixture.

It’s fine to eat as is, but if you like it crunchier, place on parchment-paper lined rimmed baking sheet and bake at 250 F degrees for about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with sea salt.

Makes four 1-cup servings.

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Tag Archives: popcorn

5 Easiest Ever Almond Ideas for Holiday Party

Healthy Movie Night Munchies | Chocolate Chai & Caramel Almond Popcorn

Healthy Snack Solutions + SunRype Fruit Strips #Giveaway

Movie Night Manna – Crunchy Caramel Almond Popcorn with Coconut Oil & Honey