As some of you may know, my husband and I have spend the past two years getting on the healthy train.
We do not portion control or count calories. We are simply avoiding gluten, carbs that are processed, and dairy. We basically eat a Paleo diet. While I love chips and salsa, I have switched to grain free chips (I’m looking at you, Siete Foods Chips!), and organic no sugar added salsa. While it can still be challenging, and we usually follow the 80/20 rule (80% of the time we eat completely Paleo, 20% of the time it is ok to splurge) for eating, we have learned some good food recipes that have been total game changers for us. Here are a couple of our favorite snacks!
Roasted Chickpeas and Edamame
1 can of Chickpeas or Garbanzo Beans (They’re the same thing)
1 steam bag of shelled Edamame
Salt
Pepper
Paprika
Olive Oil
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. While oven is preheating, steam edamame. Wash the chickpeas and remove the shells. I also washed the edamame, but just to cool them down faster, not really necessary. On a cookie sheet, spread out chickpeas, and season with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika to taste.
I didn’t put measurements here, because some like a lot and some like a little. Cook the chickpeas for 3-5 minutes, then add the edamame tossed in the same seasoning blend (salt, pepper, paprika, and a little olive oil).
Cook for 15 minutes, then flip them. Cook another 15 minutes. Beans will be pretty brown when done. Store in a mason jar at room temperature for a great, crunchy snack.
***Chickpeas and edamame are not listed on the eat everyday Paleo list. They’re a maybe. This snack is low calorie, free of processed foods, and dairy, etc.
P.S. This recipe is courtesy of my dear friend and partner teacher, Michelle, and her mom Adrienne Seal! Thanks for sharing!
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Mixed Berries with Honey and Cinnamon
(This is my favorite favorite dessert substitute – we eat it every night!)
¼ cup strawberries (washed and cut)
¼ cup raspberries (washed)
¼ cup blueberries (washed)
¼ cup blackberries (washed)
1 tablespoon honey
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Dry all your fruit. Then, mix it up in a bowl. After fruit is in place, drizzle honey, and add a splash of cinnamon.
***We also do a few variations of this. I’ll add almond slices, coconut chips, or dark chocolate shavings. It’s so good!
***These are my favorite coconut chips!
Chips and Salsa or Guacamole
***First, you have to be really careful about the chips you choose that meet Paleo requirements. I’ll also add that while grain free, they’re still chips so moderation is key people. I also love to dip carrots in guacamole to keep it low calorie, and delicious.
My favorite Paleo friendly chips are Siete Foods Tortilla Chips in sea salt or lime. Both are delicious.
In terms of salsa – Trader Joe’s Salsa Autentica all day every day.
Guacamole Recipe:
4-5 Avocados (slice em up)
1 Lime (halved and squeezed)
½ cup of salsa (add more depending on your taste)
1 Tablespoon of your favorite seasoning blend (Nunu’s is the one I choose, but Tony’s works too)
Cut up your avocados. Add lime juice, salsa, and seasoning blend. Mix it up! If I have them I’ll also add halved grape tomatoes. Seasoning and salsa measurements may need to be adjusted based on size of avocados, etc.