Hop Into Spring With Healthy Snacks

Photo by Elise Derstine

Spring has nearly sprung, and this time of year makes focusing on classes a bit more difficult. With finals right around the corner, it’s easy to grab a bag of chips or a giant cookie from Starbucks. Unfortunately, these snacks have a tendency to leave us feeling tired, unhealthy and unable to focus. Luckily, VALLEY has the cure to your unhealthy snacking habits. With these quick snack recipes you’ll be feeling happy, healthy and focused in no time.

Blueberry Muffin Oatmeal Bites
What You’ll Need:
  • 1 cup dry oats
  • ¼ cup almond butter
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ½ cup dried blueberries
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 dash nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla
What You’ll Do:
  1. In a bowl, add all of the ingredients and mix together until combined.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 40 minutes.
  3. Use a tablespoon to scoop out the mixture and roll each tablespoon into a ball. This should create about 12 oatmeal bites.
  4. Store in the fridge or the freezer.
Healthy Homemade Carrot Chips
What You’ll Need:
  • 2 pounds carrots
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 ½ teaspoons sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
What You’ll Do:
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. After trimming carrot tops off, use a mandolin slicer or knife to create paper thin slices of the carrots.
  3. Place carrot slices in a bowl and add the oil, salt, cumin and cinnamon. Mix well.
  4. Lay the slices in a single layer on baking sheets and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges of the carrots turn crisp. Flip over and bake an additional 5-8 minutes.
  5. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
Apple Cookies
What You’ll Need:
  • 1 apple
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/8 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/8 cup chopped walnuts
What You’ll Do:
  1. Wash, core and slice the apple into thin rings.
  2. Spread peanut butter over the top of each ring. Sprinkle on chocolate chips, sliced almonds and chopped walnuts.

What’s your go-to healthy snack? Tweet us @VALLEYmag and let us know!

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