Toasted Coconut Kettle Corn

I am a huge snacker, some days I realize I haven't really eaten a meal I have just snacked all day! Eating like that can definitely get me in to trouble so I try to keep healthier snacks around for those days when I just want to snack! Popcorn is great and full of fiber, you just have to be careful of what you put on it. While my grandma is completely happy using her air popper to make a batch of popcorn and she will eat it plain, that just doesn't work for me. I have tried it and just can't do it! So luckily there are some healthier and delicious ways to top it. If you love coconut and almonds you will love this recipe! Perfect combination of salty and sweet, I think I will have to make another batch today!

Toasted Coconut Kettle Corn
 Yield: 8-10 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

¼ cup coconut oil
½ cup popcorn kernels
¼ cup granulated sugar
1/2-1 tsp coarse sea salt
1 ½ cups unsweetened toasted coconut chips
1 cup Blue Diamond Toasted Coconut Almonds

In a large pot with a lid, heat the coconut oil over medium-high heat. Add in 2 or 3 popcorn kernels, when those pop you know the oil is hot enough. Add in the popcorn kernels and sprinkle the sugar over them.  Cover and stir or shake the pan until the popping slows down. The popcorn should be done popping in about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and pour the kettle corn into a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and toss. You may want to start with a little less salt and then add more depending on how salty/sweet you like your popcorn. Add the toasted coconut chips and Toasted Coconut Almonds.

This recipe is still great even if you don't have or don't like coconut chips and the toasted coconut almonds. You can also sub regular plain almonds or roasted and salted almonds. If you don't want to spend the time toasting the coconut in a pan or in your oven just throw it on without toasting, it's still tasty. And if you want the popcorn a little sweeter use sweetened coconut. You have lots of options here!

Adapted from twopeasandtheirpod.com

Healthy Snacking...Be Prepared

You never know when hunger is going to strike and you don't want to resort to the bags of potato chips you have hiding out in your pantry!  It is really easy to keep your pantry stocked with healthy snack options so when it is in between meal times and you or your children are hungry you have some great options.

1. Nut Butters: Whether it is peanut or almond, nut butters are really filling and healthy when they are eaten in moderation.  I personally love taking a tablespoon and eating it on an apple, celery or banana.  Yum. You could also spread them on a piece of whole grain toast or crackers.

2. Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: It is similar to a nut butter because it is healthy and filling but with the added chocolate it can also help curb a chocolate craving. It is delicious on toast, crackers or fresh fruit.

3. Vanilla Wafers or Gingersnaps: These little treats are a healthier alternative than chocolate chip or sugar cookies. Because they are such little cookies you can eat a couple and feel satisfied and be better off than if you had eaten one regular cookie.

4. Canned Tuna or Chicken: It can be whipped up quickly into a salad to top crackers or make into a small sandwich. They even come in multiple sizes or snack packs now to keep on hand for an even faster option.

5. Nuts: Nuts of any kind are healthy when eaten in moderation. If you are too hungry for just one serving, try pairing them with dried fruit.

6. Dried Fruit: They are a really simple way to get extra nutrients but they can also help satisfy a sweet tooth. They are even more satisfying when they are eaten with a small handful of salted nuts.

7. Natural Popcorn: When it isn't loaded with butter and salt, popcorn makes a great healthy snack. If you don't like to eat it plain try spraying it with a little cooking spray and then sprinkling with a little low-fat Parmesan cheese and pepper.

Eat Grapes

I love this time of year because grapes are in season and I just can't get enough of them.  Some days I realize that grapes are pretty much the only thing I have eaten and while they are delicious I shouldn't be eating just grapes!  But if you are trying to improve your eating habits then you might want to think about stocking up on grapes.  People who eat grapes and grape products take in more nutrients and eat healthier diets overall than those who don't, according to an observational study published in the Journal of Food Science.

Researchers looked at the results of the National Health and Nutrition Survey, a biannual survey that collects data on the eating habits of people in the U.S. They found that between 2003 and 2008, people who had consumed grapes, raisins, or 100 percent grape juice withing the 24-hour span just before they took the survey also consumed more fruit, dark green vegetables, orange vegetables, dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and potassium.  They also took in less solid fat, added sugars, and alcohol than those who hadn't eaten grape products. 

25 Healthy Snacks

When you need a snack don't reach for chips or candy bars, try out these snacks.  They taste delicious, are easy to have on hand in your pantry and fridge, and quick and easy!

1. Air Popped Popcorn
2. Nonfat Cottage Cheese
3. Hard Boiled Eggs
4. Hummus
5. Peanut Butter
6. Fruit Smoothies
7. Almonds
8. Sliced Apples
9. Frozen Grapes
10. Orange Slices
11. Broccoli Florets
12. Green Salad
13. Cherry Tomatoes
14. Frozen Mangos
15. Sunflower Seeds
16. Soy Chips
17. Bean Salad
18. Tuna
19. Sliced Chicken Breast
20. Pickles
21. Olives
22. Sugar Free Jello
23. Nonfat Yogurt
24. Frozen Yogurt
25. Protein Bars

Healthy Snacking is Good For You

One of our hardest challenges in maintaining a healthy weight is that we feel hungry a lot. This is natural.  Snacks are a terrific way to satisfy hunger and get all the vitamins and nutrients your body needs.

You need to really pay attention to what you eat. Stuffing your face with a large order of fries may give you a temporary boost, but a snack this high in fat and calories will only slow you down in the long run.

To keep energy levels going, and avoid weight gain, steer clear of foods with lots of simple carbohydrates (sugars) like candy bars or soda. Look for foods that contain complex carbohydrates like whole-grain breads and cereals and combine them with protein rich snacks such as peanut butter or low-fat yogurt or
cheese.

How to Judge Whether a Snack is Healthy

Choosing healthy snacks means we have to shop smart. Be very cautious of health claims on food packages.
Watch out for "all natural", or "pure". It does NOT necessarily mean that it's nutritious. "All Natural" juice drinks or sodas are often loaded with sugar, which technically is a natural ingredient, but all that sugar generally means high in calories with very little nutrients.

Granola bar's are a very good example of a snack that most people would consider as healthy.  Although they can be a good source of vitamins and nutrients, many also contain a great deal of fat, including a particularly harmful type of fat called trans fat. On average about 35%  of the calories in a regular granola bar come from fat. There can also be a lot of sugar in granola cereals and bars. Check the Nutrition Facts label on the package so you can be sure.

Be very skeptical of low-fat food claims, too. If the fat has been eliminated or reduced, the amount of sugar in the food may have been increased to keep that food tasting good. Many low-fat foods have nearly as many calories as their full-fat versions.