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Eddie’s Mommy

edamame_snackersThat’s what my daughter was calling our afternoon snack.

This is such and easy and tasty snack! Do you like edamame? If you said no, than you need to try it like this! You won’t be able to stop popping them into your mouth!

Edamame are immature, green soybeans still in the pod. You can get them fresh or frozen. They can be boiled whole, then shelled and eaten as a snack or added to stir fries, soups or salads. Soy has many health benefits such as: weight loss, cardiovascular, and immune system. They are high in protein and low in fat! Which is a win-win combination if you ask me. BUT! Studies have shown a possible link to reproductive difficulties if eaten in excess, so don’t overdo it! Stick to one serving per day. Control yourself! OK?

Here is the recipe:

Edamame Snackers

edamame (2)

  • 1 – 12 oz. package of frozen, shelled edamame
  • 1 T.olive oil
  • 1/4 C. parmesan cheese
  • salt & pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (this is a MUST!).

Toss frozen edamame with oil, cheese, salt and pepper (to taste).

edamame (3)

Pour evenly onto the lined cookie sheet. Bake for a total of 20-25 minutes, tossing every 5-10 minutes to cook evenly.

edamame (4)

Remove from the oven when they are turning a little golden brown, or to desired crispness! Let them cool and enjoy!

Makes 5 servings

Nutritional info (per serving): 141 calories, 8 g. carbs, 10 g. protein

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I Got Your BARS Right Here!

This past week was a week that we were on the go a LOT! I needed a variety of quick and easy snacks and meals and drinks, that were pack-able and family friendly. It was a week that screamed GRANOLA BARS! I tried a couple different recipes, changed them up to our tastes, and they were both a hit! The first one is a baked ‘power bar’ recipe. They were fruity, nutty and tasty. We stored them in the fridge and they were an easy-peasy grab and go snack. Based on my calculations, these come in around 140 calories per bar.

power_bar

The second batch is my favorite, and the kids’ favorite as well. It is a no-bake crispy granola bar. I made mine chocolate-y, but as with the above recipe, there is a lot of room for variation. You could make them with just about anything you like. Here is how I made mine.

This will make a LARGE batch or 48 bars. I have 4 kids and I need to make it worth my while. If I want them to last more than a day, I have to make a TON! So, if you want less…well…I think you understand. 🙂

granolabar1

Ingredients:

5 C. of Crispy Rice cereal (I used Mom’s Best-no artificial flavors or preservatives…also gluten free!)

3 C. oats (quick cooking OR old-fashioned work fine)   granolabar2

1 C. raisins (or Craisins, whatever you like)

1 C. honey

3/4 C. Almond butter (any nut butter)

1/4 C. coconut oil (as you can see I used mine all up!)

2 t. vanilla extract

Directions:

1.In a large bowl, stir together the rice cereal, oats and raisins. Set aside. Spray a large jelly roll pan, or 2- 9×13″ pans with cooking spray.

2. Combine honey and coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until JUST bubbling, then remove from heat and stir in the almond butter and vanilla until smooth. Pour over cereal and oat mixture and toss until evenly coated.

3. Pour mixture into pan and press firmly using the back of a spoon, spatula OR even better – use your hands! (I rub mine with a little coconut oil first). It will seem like a hopeless mess at this point, but if you keep pressing until it comes together…everything will be ok. Trust me! Allow to cool and then cut into squares.

4. Definitely keep these in the fridge OR even the freezer until you’re ready to eat. The coconut oil really helps to keep these together nicely.

5. Enjoy! Made this way, each bar is about 95 calories! 🙂