Category: Snacks

Fall Trail Mix (DF, GF) – Blog Post #12

We went to Meijers the other day.  As I walking back to the front of the store, I noticed the pumpkin spiced Cheerios so I decided to get me a box.

Once I got home, I decided to use the Cheerios to make a trail mix.

Now there is some debate whether Cheerios are truly gluten free.  Some people have reactions when they eat them.  If you are one of those people, please don’t use them.

I had some pumpkin spiced pumpkin seeds waiting for me to do something with so I used them in this trail mix.

You can use any kind of nut.  I had pecans available so I used them.  I think walnuts would be delicious in this trail mix.

I also used some freeze dried apples that I got at Trader Joes.  However, I think dried cranberries would be delicious also.

Store your trail mix in an airtight container.

Fall Trail Mix

Fall Trail Mix

  • Difficulty: super easy
  • Print

Ingredients

– 2 c. pumpkin spice Cheerios

– ¾ c. chopped nuts

– ½ c. freeze dried apples or dried cranberries

– ¾ c. pumpkin seeds

 

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients.
  2. Enjoy in moderation!

 

Store in an airtight container.

Happy eating,
Traci

 

Cranberry Almond Coconut Snack Mix (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)

I know there is some debate on whether Cheerios is really Gluten Free or not.  Since I have not been diagnosed with Celiac’s disease and only have a sensitivity to gluten, I decide that Cheerios are okay for me.

The Wee One loves this snack mix.  While it was cooling on the baking sheet, he would randomly walk into the kitchen, take a handful of the mix, pop the snack mix into his mouth, and then walk out.

I added some pumpkin seeds to my snack mix.  Yum!

Cranberry Almond Coconut Snack Mix

  • Servings: 12
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

 

 

Ingredients

-5 c. Cheerios

-3 c. Honey Nut Cheerios

-1 c. gluten free oats

-1 c. dried cranberries

-2 c. unsweetened shredded coconut

-2 c. raw almonds, chopped

-1/4 c. melted coconut oil

-1/4 c. honey

-1/2 tsp. cinnamon

-1/2 tsp. salt

-1 tsp. vanilla

Directions

 

  1. Spray crock with non stick spray.
  2. Place the both kinds of Cheerios, oats, cranberries, shredded coconut, and almonds into the crock.
  3. In another bowl, whisk together the honey, coconut oil, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla.
  4. Pour the honey mixture over the dried ingredients in the crock.
  5. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
  6. Before placing the lid on the crock, place a paper towel over the snack mix.  Cover, and then cook on low for 3 hours.  Stir every 45 minutes.
  7. When done cooking, pour the mixture on a paper towel or parchment paper lined baking sheet.
  8. Allow to cool for an hour before placing in an air tight container.

Happy eating,
Traci

5 of My Favorite Gluten Free Snacks

  1.    Larabars

Image result for larabars image

These are a snack that I have loved for a long time not just since I went gluten free.  When my father-in-law was trying to watch his sugar, I introduced him to these bars.  When I tried them myself, I fell in love with them.

I do have a recipe for homemade coconut cream Larabars.

2.  LiveGFree Pretzels

liveGfree Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks

These are part of the Aldi gluten free line of products.  These taste just like regular pretzel sticks.  Yum!

At $1.89 a bag at my local Aldi, that’s not bad for a gluten free snack.

I also like Aldi for their gluten free goodies.  They have a caramel apple snack bar that is so good.

Aldi also clearly label items that are gluten free or naturally gluten free.  It makes it so much easier to find food that is safe for me to eat.

3.  Blue Tortilla Chips and Salsa

My students eat lunch with me.  They know that I usually have a yogurt, blue tortilla chips salsa, and mini sweet peppers.

There are two different brands of blue tortilla chips that I absolutely love:  Frontera and Garden of Eatin’.  Both are gluten free.

Indigo Blue Corn Tortilla Chips

I can get both at Fresh Thyme which is one of my favorite grocery stores.

I enjoy salsas that contain fruit flavors.  Currently my two favorite are Heritage Streetfood’s Apple Salsa and Fresh Thyme’s Tequila Lime Salsa.   I find the Apple Salsa at Kroger’s in the natural foods area and the tequila lime salsa at Fresh Thyme.

4.  Apples and Nut Butter

I core the apples and then cut them into slices.  I dip the apples into a nut butter such as peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter.

If I want freshly ground nut butter, I go to Fresh Thyme and get it there.  However if I want to be budget friendly, I get it at Aldi.  I can get the cashew butter for about 5 dollars a jar.

SimplyNature Creamy Almond Butter

I have a recipe for almond joy apple bites which is another way to use apples and nut butter.

5.  Puffcorn

When I was growing up, my mom would get Mikesell’s Puffcorn for us.  We would enjoy it as a special treat.

She still loves Puffcorn.  Her favorite flavor is the Salted Caramel Puffcorn.  My favorite is the Movie Theater flavored Puffcorn.  The Wee One is beginning to like Puffcorn.

Original Puffcorn Delites

Aldi has a Simple Nature White Cheddar flavor that is also delicious.

Image result for aldi white cheddar puffs

I hope these help with your gluten free snacking.

happy eating

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels – Christmas Making and Baking 2016

I’ve begun my Christmas Making and Baking 2016.  When I found this recipe, I decided to make it since it looked so simple to put together.

While I was waiting to put the white drizzle on the pretzels the Wee One wandered into the kitchen.  He decided he needed to taste the pretzels.  The Wee One told me how much he loved the taste of the pretzels.  He helped me put the drizzle on top of the pretzels.  When I was packing up the pretzels, we put the pretzels into two containers.  One was for later and the other was for he and his brother to snack on.

Later on in the day, we made another two batches of cinnamon sugar pretzels for a cookie/ treat exchange Hubby was going to attend.  The Wee One helped me with making those two batches.  He told me that he wanted to know how to make cinnamon sugar pretzels.  The Wee One enjoyed making the cinnamon sugar pretzels.

The cinnamon sugar pretzels are easy to put together.  When we did the white chocolate DRIZZLE, we used a baby spoon to do the drizzle.

I also used a large 8 cup measuring cup to make the pretzels.  It was the perfect size

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

20161210141354_IMG_0595

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1 (16 – 18 oz) bag of pretzels
  • 2/3 c. oil (I used canola.)
  • 1/3 c. sugar
  • 1 & 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 c. cinnamon sugar for sprinkling
  • 1 c. white chocolate chips

Steps:

  1. Prepare two cookie sheets by covering them with parchment or wax paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar, and cinnamon.
  3. Add the pretzels.
  4. Stir until all the pretzels are coated.
  5. Microwave for 1 minute.  Stir.
  6. Microwave for 2 more minutes.  Stir.
  7. Divide them between the two cookie sheets.  Make sure the pretzels are in a single layer.
  8. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
  9. While the pretzels are cooling, melt the white chocolate in the microwave.  (70% power, 1 minute, stir, if not melted – continue at 70% power 30 second intervals until melted.)
  10. Drizzle the white chocolate over the pretzels.
  11. Allow to harden.
  12. Store in an airtight container.
  13. Enjoy!

happy-eating

Source

Blueberry Muffin Energy Balls (Vegan, Gluten Free)

The Imaginative One has gone to two camps.  Since the camps, I’ve volunteered to pick up the Imaginative One and one of his friends from the first camp so we can drive them up to the second camp.  Hubby and I are going to be going on a small road trip this weekend.   Continue reading “Blueberry Muffin Energy Balls (Vegan, Gluten Free)”