Cinnamon Spice Granola

There’s nothing better than homemade granola. This simple Cinnamon Spice Granola recipe makes the perfect breakfast treat.

Hi, my name is Georgie and I’m a granola snob. I think granola is like coffee in that, once you acquire a taste for good granola you really can’t go back to sub-par ‘nola.

I think the snobbery began when my mom started making her homemade “Goodness Gracious Granola.” Whenever I’d visit, she’d have this giant jar filled with granola. It was just SO much better than anything you’d buy from a major brand. Packed with crunchy oats, nuts, seeds, coconut and dried fruit, I couldn’t help but put in on everything.

Once I learned to make my own granola, it was game over. When you have the base recipe memorized, you can really go crazy from there with all the flavor variations. I shared my go-to recipe with my newsletter crew if you’re interested in exclusive recipes and other fun shenanigans.)

A couple weeks ago, during one of my many granola baking-fests, I threw out the question to my insta-crew: “what flavors of granola would you be interested in?” I got so many great suggestions and one of my favorites was a simple cinnamon spice granola.

Cinnamon is such a fantastic flavor that goes with so many things, so of course it would be wonderful in a granola. Homemade granola can also be an excellent gift, especially when you’re traveling to visit family. Like “hey thanks for letting me stay at your place, here’s some bangin’ granola for your face” If anyone actually writes that on a gift tag PLEASE send me a pic because that would be amazing.

Once you make your Cinnamon Spice Granola you’ll wanna put it on everything including:

Smoothies
Yogurt
Ice cream
Toast
Straight in you face hole

Cinnamon Spice Granola

Print Recipe

There’s nothing better than homemade granola. This simple Cinnamon Spice Granola recipe makes the perfect breakfast treat.

Author: Georgie
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

3 Cups of Oats
1 Cup of Cashews
1 Cup of Pecans
½ Cup of Sunflower Seeds
½ Cup of Unsweetened Coconut flakes
1 teaspoon of Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 Tablespoons of Cinnamon
⅓ Cup of Melted Coconut Oil
⅓ Cup of Maple Syrup
⅓ Cup of Plain Smooth Almond Butter
1 tsp of Vanilla Extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350º F
In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients (oats, cashews, pecans, sunflower seeds, unsweetened coconut flakes, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon)
Mix together until cinnamon and pumpkin spice evenly coat the other dry ingredients
In a very small dish melt the ⅓ cup of coconut oil (medium heat in microwave for 20 seconds)
In a medium size bowl mix together melted coconut oil, maple syrup, nut butter, and vanilla extract
Stir until well combine
Pour wet mixture into the dry bowl and mix together until all dry ingredients are evenly coated
Pour granola onto a greased (or silpat) baking tray
Bake at 350ºF for 25 minutes
Take out of the oven, stir and put back in the oven for another 15 minutes or until golden brown
Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes and store in airtight containers for up to 3 weeks.

Your Turn:

Do you like making your own granola? What flavors do you make?
What’s your favorite way to eat it?

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Raspberry Orange Mango Smoothie Bowl

Nothing beats the vibrant flavors of fresh squeezed orange juice in a smoothie bowl. Nada. Zilch. Nuthin. The sweet and tart balance of orange, mango and raspberry is seriously one of best fruit flavor combinations. This silky smooth Raspberry Orange Mango Smoothie Bowl is the definition of #BowlGoals.

My typical smoothie bowl liquid is either almond or coconut milk however after discovering the gloriousness that is Natalie’s OJ I knew I had to incorporate it into my next bowl.

I first discovered Natalie’s OJ, as I do many small healthy brands, through Instagram. I’m not typically a huge juice drinker, however I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love a little fresh squeezed OJ in the morning once and a while. However even better than their delicious juice is how awesome this company is. Natalie’s is a woman-owned business #GirlBossPower. Not to be that stereotypical “millennial consumer” that all the marketers all talk about, but I do love to support companies doing amazing things. When I support brands that operate in a way that align with my values, I really do feel better about those purchases.

But back to this smoothie bowl! It might seem crazy that I’m still blending strong in December buuut the cold never bothered me anyway 😉 Also citrus is in season this time of year so I can tell myself I’m being seasonal. Ok, the real reason is that smoothie bowls are too damn delicious and energizing for me to stop when the weather gets cold. Ya dig?

I kept this recipe super simple but feel free to add some greens and protein to take this from a light treat to a filling breakfast/meal. I topped this bowl with granola, berries and coconut butter but you can top it with whatever your little heart desires. Go cray. Or not. Your choice.

Blend away babes.

Raspberry Orange Mango Smoothie Bowl

Print Recipe

Author: Georgie
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 1 servings 1x
Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: Healthy

Ingredients

Scale

1 Frozen Banana
½ Cup of Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice (I used Natalie’s OJ Orange Mango)
½ Cup of Frozen Mango
1 Cup of Frozen Raspberries
*Optional: add scoop of vanilla protein powder
Toppings:
¼ Cup of Granola
½ Tbsp of Coconut Butter
⅓ Cup of Fresh Blackberries

Instructions

In a high powered blender or food processor, blend together all ingredients until smooth
Pour smoothie into a bowl and top with: granola, coconut butter and blackberries, feel free to get creative with your favorite toppings

Your Turn:

Smoothie bowls? Heck no it’s too cold or bring it on?
How much do you look into the companies you buy from?

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Brownie Batter Energy Bites

These brownie batter energy bites taste like they belong in a fudge sundae, but they’re filled with healthy fats, protein, fiber and carbs to keep your taste buds and your energy feeling chipper. These raw, grain-free, vegan bites are sure to be a hit in any crowd.

Pretty please don’t roll your eyeballs (lol ball pun) when you see there’s another ball recipe in the healthy food blogosphere. I had zero intention of sharing this recipe because there are already so many amazing balls for you to try without me trying to shove my own balls down your throat…. ok I really need to stop with the ball jokes. But ferrealz, there’s just an over abundance of great “energy bite”/”healthy ball”/”larabar”/”protein bar” recipes that already exist. So why on earth do you need yet another? Allow me to tell you a little story about my balls (I’m so sorry I know I said I would stop).

Sunday evening, as I finished up my food prepping routine, I realized I had some extra time and extra dates (aka the best problem to have) and bonus, my food processor was already out on the counter. I decided to make my Coconut Cookie Dough Bites, but I realized I didn’t have the cashews so I subbed in a mixture of sunflower seeds and almonds. Then, I threw in a mix of cocoa powder and chocolate protein powder (I used VegaOne) because I loved the chocolate flavor from making Davida’s Almond Joy Balls. But I think the real game changer, the thing that makes these little brownie babies so irresistible and quite unbelievably good, is the cashew butter.

Real talk: from a nut butter enthusiast, almond butter is my numero uno, my main squeeze. On it’s own, cashew butter doesn’t hold a flame to a-buttz(my affectionate nickname for almond butter). BUT mixed into desserts, granola, baked goods, yogurt, and BALLS, cashew butter makes everything taste like cookie dough. It’s pretty amazing actually. We might want to start calling it unicorn butter… maybe? Anyway, evidence of cashew butter’s magical properties: My mom made my Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies with cashew butter and reported back amazing results. So here’s a PSA for all nut butter bakers: give the cashews a chance (especially if you’re into cookie dough flavor).

Luckily, I just happen to have an extra unopened jar just waiting to be baked and experimented with. Some lucky friends might be getting cashew butter baked goods care packages in the near future.

Brownie Batter Energy Bites

Print Recipe

Author: Georgie
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 18 1x
Category: Snacks
Cuisine: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

10 Pitted Dates
1 Cup of Sunflower Seeds
½ Cup of Slivered Roasted Almonds
¾ Cup of Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
⅓ Cup of Cashew Butter
1 Tbsp of Cocoa Powder
1 Scoop of Chocolate Protein Powder

Instructions

Place all ingredients into a food processor and blend until dough forms. (If the dough is too try to roll into balls add extra cashew butter)
Take dough out of processor and roll into 18 small balls.
Store in fridge or freezer

Your Turn:

Are you an energy bites/balls fan? (or are you rolling your eyeballs)
When it comes to nut butters tell me how you feel (as you know I am passionate about this, let’s dish)

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Coconut Cashew Butter Cookies

These chewy, gooey, nutty and irresistible coconut cashew butter cookies will melt in your mouth.

Real quick, can we give a round of applause to all the coconuts and nuts out there? Seriously. How can both these foods be so damn versatile. Between all of their flours, milks and butters, coconut and nuts are pretty much those kids you went to school with who were somehow in every student organization, played a varsity sport, had a 4.0 and still managed a social life.

Common guys, you’re making us look bad. Oh, and on top of that, they’re like really nice people so you can’t even hate them. But hey, if you can beat ’em eat ’em – ok that only works for the coconut and nuts half of this analogy. Please don’t attempt to eat any over achieving friends you may have. You can however, totally dive face first into this chewy, gooey, nutty cookies. These cookies are flourless, which means they’re fluffy yet slightly chewy. I highly recommend eating at least fresh outta the oven (after they’ve cooled a little) there’s just nothing like a fresh cookie. I also recommend storing them in the fridge to keep them fresh.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret. How to take these cookies to a whole other level.

Recently I discovered one of coconut’s many magical products: coconut butter. Specifically, I tried a new brand called Essentially Coconut after hearing great things on Instagram. Let’s just say it was love at first spoon. (PS I’m hosting a giveaway on my Instagram for 4 jars so don’t forget to check it out). Coconut butter is rich and buttery, but slightly flakey and sweet. I’ve been loving it on top of dates, but especially on top of warm coconut cashew butter cookies. It gets all melty and soaks into the cookie a little. Cookie heaven my friends, cookie heaven.

I mean if I wasn’t already coconut obsessed this just seals the deal for me. Oh coconut butter why you gotta be so good?

Coconut Cashew Butter Cookies

Print Recipe

Author: Georgie
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 12 1x
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: Baking

Ingredients

Scale

1 Cup of Cashew Butter
2 Eggs
1/2 tsp of Vanilla Extract
2/3 Cup of Coconut Sugar
1/3 Cup of Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
1 tsp of Baking Soda
Frosting: Cashew Coconut Butter

Instructions

In a medium bowl Mix together cashew butter, eggs and vanilla extract
In a separate medium bowl combine sugar, shredded coconut and baking soda
Pour wet mixture into dry bowl and mix until dough is evenly combined
Chill dough for at least 1 hour in fridge
When you take the dough out of the fridge, preheat oven to 350ºF
Grease a baking tray (I liked to use coconut oil)
Roll into 12 balls
Bake cookies for 10 minutes
Optional: Frost cookies with Coconut Butter

Your Turn:

Have you ever tried coconut butter?
Do you have a favorite coconut or nut product?
What’s the best cookie you’ve ever made?

(Disclaimer: I was provided with product for this recipe and giveaway, however all opinions are my own)

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Chocolate Sunbutter

Promise you won’t roll your eyes when you read this next sentence… please? Ok, here it goes: I really like Mondays. There isn’t an especially good reason, other than there isn’t any good reason not to like them. Mondays get such a bad rap. They’re the ultimate scape goat and the lowest common denominator for office camaraderie. Hating on Monday is about as original as complaining about the weather. We can do better. Being a hater is so easy.

If you think about it, Mondays are pretty awesome. They have the power to set the tone for the rest of the week. If you have a productive Monday, whether you crush your to-do list at work, eat a baller breakfast or have a kick ass workout, that’s like telling the rest of the week to watch the eff out because you’re here and your ready.

I dare you to make Mondays a cause for celebration. That could mean waking up ten minutes earlier to treat yourself to your favorite coffee, or sneaking notes to yourself into your planner on Mondays, or making a special Monday playlist with some of your favorite songs that you save just for Monday or maybe it’s making a reoccurring Monday plan to call your best friend after work. There’s a million little ways to inject awesome into your Monday no matter your situation.

Now I don’t want you thinking that on Mondays cute little birds and squirrels come to wake me up and then I float to work on my magic carpet. (please, that’s Tuesdays and Thursdays) What really happens is that I make a point to make my breakfast and lunch ahead of time, I pack my bag for the day and I lay out my gym clothes the night before. When my alarm goes off I try not to even think. I just move. I remind myself how good it feels once I’m two miles into my run. I remind myself that one of my favorite coffee shops is conveniently located across the gym. I remember that my co-workers are rad and that I’m blessed to be working for a company that I believe in and then I try to drink a ton of water. That’s it. No magic. Just a light pep talk and some early endorphins. Oh and some good coffee.

Chocolate Sunbutter

Print Recipe

You won’t believe how easy this rich, chocolate sunbutter is to make and how fast it will disappear.

Author: Georgie
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 8 1x
Category: Snacks
Cuisine: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

2 Cups of Sunflower Seeds
3 Tbsp of Cocoa Powder
1–2 Tbsp of Honey (depending on desired sweetness)
1 tsp of Vanilla Extract

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a high powered blender
Blend until smooth creamy texture, scraping sides every couple minutes 15-20 minutes total
Place in an airtight container
Store at room temperature

Your Turn:

What’s your Monday morning look like?
Are you a fan of Mondays or do you think I’m nuts?
Have you ever tried sunbutter?

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Hemp Heart Superfood Cookies

Hemp Heart Superfood Cookies combine the comforting taste of a classic oatmeal cookie with the sweet, coconut-forward character of a coconut macaroon. They’re also loaded with nutrient-dense ingredients, including goji berries, hemp hearts, and chia seeds.

I’ll admit, it can be a little difficult to keep up with every new superfood being touted as the “healthiest thing you can eat.” Kale, quinoa, maca, turmeric, pitaya, açaí berries… I could go on, but you get the point. It’s so hard to know what’s the real deal and what’s marketing hype.

That’s kind of how I felt about hemp hearts when I first heard about them. “Ok, yeah, whatever, another seed I’m supposed to eat, blah, blah blah.” At least that was how I felt, until I learned about:

How much protein, fiber and omega fatty acids hemp hearts have
The fact that they are a complete protein (they contain all essential amino acids)
Hemp hearts are actually really delicious

If you’ve followed any of my WIAW posts (where I post all my meals for a day) you’ve probably seen hemp hearts making an appearance on quite few of my dishes. Honestly I treat them a bit like food fairy dust. Bada-bing Bada-protein!

Some of my favorite ways to enjoy hemp hearts include:

Sprinkled on smoothie bowls
Sprinkled on salads
Sprinkled on yogurt
Sprinkled on oats

Yes,there’s a lot of sprinkling going on around here. In fact, after several months of hemp-loving-bliss, I reached out to Manitoba Harvest, my favorite brand of hemp hearts, to see if they’d be interested in a collaboration. They kindly provided me with some samples to create a new recipe. You can even enter to win your very own bag of hemp hearts on my Instagram page.

I think I might have found my new favorite way to eat hemp hearts. Yup, these superfood cookies. I honestly was not prepared for these to turn out as good as they did. I thought they’d be more “earthy-crunchy,” but instead they taste like a glorious hybrid between an oatmeal cookie and a coconut macaroon. They’re also delicious proof that nutrient-dense foods can taste great. I’d take one of these ‘lil guys over a processed snack any day.

However, whenever I make something that I love this much, I have to test it out on a friend or family member, aka someone whose hobbies don’t include trying every superfood under the sun. I’m proud to say these cookies are sister approved. So bust out your chia seeds it’s time to make some cookies!

Hemp Heart Superfood Cookies

Print Recipe

Author: Georgie
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 20 1x
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

1 Cup of Oats
2/3 Cups of Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
3 Tbsp of Hemp Hearts
3 Tbsp of Goji Berries
1 Tbsp of Chia Seeds
1/3 Cup of Nut Butter
1/4 Cup of Honey or Maple Syrup
1/4 Cup of Almond Milk

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
In a medium sized bowl mix together dry ingredients (Oats, Coconut, Hemp Hearts, Goji Berries, and Chia)
After this, In a separate bowl stir together Nut Butter, Honey and Almond Milk until well combined
Slowly pour wet mixture into dry mixture, stirring to form a dough, dough will be very chunky
Roll dough into small 1″ balls and place on a greased baking tray
Bake cookies for 10 minutes
Store in fridge for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container to maintain freshness

Your Turn:

Have you ever tried hemp seeds?

…lol, yeah.

What’s your favorite cookie add-in?

Walnuts!

Do you like trying new superfoods/foodie trends, or would you rather let the hype die down first?

Totally depends, but I usually like most “healthy” things so I’m pretty open to at least trying something

Disclosure: Manitoba Harvest povided me with product, however I was not compensated for my time. All opinions are my own

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1st phorm recipes Definitive Guide to Almond Butter

1st phorm recipes Definitive Guide to Almond Butter: Everything you always wanted to know about almond butter but were afraid to ask.

Guys, now I don’t like to brag, but I’ve eaten a lot of almond butter. However, it wasn’t always that way. Only a few years ago I was staunchly in camp peanut butter with no signs of ever converting. I tried almond butter and just didn’t get it. However, slowly but surely I incorporated almond butter more and more and now it’s hands down my favorite nut butter. (but if you follow me on Insta, you probably already knew that)

Today I wanted to share my 4 absolute favorite almond butter brands, the ones I (almost) always have on hand. I was contemplating sharing a lot more different brands, but when it comes down to it these are the four I always go to and I didn’t want to overwhelm you, instead I want to share the absolute best of the best.

But before I dig in you might be wondering:

What makes almond butter different from peanut butter?

In general, almond butter has a much milder, slightly sweeter taste and usually it’s a lot less salty tasting as well. Just like peanut butter, almond butter comes in many different textures and flavors depending on the brand. Whether you like your nut butter thicker, more spreadable, chunky or smooth there’s probably an almond butter out there that’s right for you.

What do I use almond butter for?

The real question is what don’t you use almond butter for! No but really, my favorite ways to eat almond butter are spread on toast, apples, bananas, swirled in oatmeal, blended or on top of smoothies, swirled in yogurt, used in baked goods and even used in some savory dishes like as a dressing in this winter kale salad.

Here are some of my favorite almond butter recipes:

1st phorm recipes Top 4 Almond Butters:

Trader Joe’s Unsalted Crunchy Almond Butter

Price: $7.99
Size: 16 oz
Taste: Due to the simplicity of ingredients this almond butter is closest to tasting like roasted almonds.
Texture: Trader Joe’s unsalted crunchy almond butter is more liquid-y and doesn’t require too much stirring. The almond pieces are small but plentiful making it a great texture combination of smooth and crunchy.
Ingredients: Dry roasted almonds, less than approximately 1% dry roasted cashews
Best Uses: This is my go-to almond butter. I use it for pretty much everything. Due to the thinner texture, Trader Joe’s brand is especially great if you like using your almond butter to drizzle over yogurt or smoothies.
Where to buy: Trader Joe’s

Barney Butter Smooth

Price: $7.99 – 11.99
Size: 10oz/16 oz
Taste: Slightly sweet, more mild roasted almond flavor, however Barney Butter is the closest to tasting like peanut butter due to the fact it’s made with blanched almonds (no skin). This also makes it easier on your stomach.
Texture: Very creamy and smooth, closest to traditional peanut butter in texture.
Ingredients: Blanched Roasted Almonds, Organic & Fair Trade Cane Sugar, Palm Fruit Oil and Sea Salt.
Best Uses: Due to the creamy, slightly thicker texture, Barney Butter almond butter is fantastic in baked goods. It’s also great for spreading on toast and swirling into warm oatmeal.
Where to buy: Whole Food’s, Star Market, Home Good’s – you can also use their store locator

Nuttzo Powerfuel Creamy

Price: 18.99
Size: 16 oz
Taste: Very nutty, you can also taste the different seeds as well. Probably the most unique almond butter flavor due to all the types of nuts and seeds.
Texture: Smooth, but slightly grainy and no need to stir.
Ingredients: organic roasted cashews, organic roasted almonds, organic roasted brazil nuts, organic roasted flax seeds, organic roasted hazelnuts, organic roasted chia seeds, organic roasted pumpkin seeds, sea salt
Best Uses: This nut butter is great for sweet or savory dishes. I’ve used it in dressings as well as in smoothies, drizzled on yogurt or stirred into oatmeal. It’s texture and more neutral nutty flavor make it very versatile.
Where to Buy: Whole Food’s

Justin’s Vanilla Almond Butter

Price: 11.99
Size: 16 oz
Taste: This almond butter is definitely the sweetest of the group and great for beginning almond butter eaters. The vanilla flavor isn’t too over powering, but pairs perfectly with plenty of breakfasts, desserts and snacks.
Texture: Very thick, no need to stir and very spreadable.
Ingredients: Dry Roasted Almonds, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter, Vanilla Powder, Palm Oil, Sea Salt.
Best Uses: My favorite way to eat Justin’s is with a snack like an apple, spread on rice cakes, with a banana or stirred into warm oatmeal. Due to it’s thicker texture, I like to heat it up if I’m trying to stir it into anything that isn’t already warm.
Where to Buy: Whole Food’s, Target, most grocery chains

Honorable Mentions:

Wild Friend’s Nut Butters

I’m a HUGE fan of Wild Friends, however I’m really only familiar with their peanut butters, even though they have almond butter and sunflower seed butter. They’re an awesome brand and I love buying their products.

Stop & Shop’s Nature’s Promise

I know. This one kind of shocked me, but Stop & Shop has an awesome creamy natural almond butter that you can find in the organics section.

Wegman’s Natural Brand

When I was at school in Ithaca I practically lived at Wegman’s. Their store brand almond butter is delicious and on par with Stop & Shop’s store brand. You can find it in their organics section as well as the cereal aisle with the traditional peanut butters.

Disclaimer: I have worked with Barney Butter in the past, as well as received product from Nuttzo, however this post is in no way sponsored and these are my 100% honest opinions.

Your Turn:

What’s your favorite kind of almond butter?
What’s your favorite way to use it? Recipe, snack, oxygen?

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Almond Butter & Jelly Balls

These Almond Butter & Jelly Balls make an ideal wholesome back-to-school snack to help you get back into a routine—even if you’re not actually heading back to class.

You guuuuys! September is a hot second a way, which means back to school season is upon us. In my mind that just means schools supplies are literally everywhere. It’s everywhere—cue a downpour of pens and notebooks raining from the sky. And right along with it comes the ever-present peanut butter and jelly, or, in my case, almond butter and jelly. These are two thing I don’t hate. Pens and AB&J.

Originally, I was going to use this recipe as an excuse to talk about how weird it is to not be going back to school, but then it kind of hit me that it doesn’t feel that weird anymore. Is that weird? (haha ok, I won’t say weird again… ok maybe a little)

Today I was going to my gym which is close to BU’s campus and there were just herds of students. Rather than feeling nostalgic or slightly jealous I felt totally removed. They seemed so young. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely loved college. So many incredible memories and so many amazing learning experiences. Not an ounce of regret. But no part of me wants to go back. Mind you, if I had a way to get all my college friends living in the same city, that I would do in a heart beat. But go back to school. Nah, I’m good.

So many people told me that college would be the best years of my life, and yeah they were good, but I want to live my life in a way that every year gets better. Every year I’m smarter, kinder, more compassionate, building bigger goals, in short every year I want to be better. I get it, there will be tough years, but I just don’t think any good can come of obsessing over how good the past was.

But yeah, pens are just everywhere man. Everywhere. Oh and these balls! We haven’t even gotten to the BALLS (can you see that I’m hyped about these?) They literally taste like a bit of an almond butter and jelly sandwich but with ball-y texture.

You can totally make them with peanut butter too, I just prefer almond butter. Oh and the jam? Totally up to you, again I just love me some strawberry jam.

I will warn you, when you’re rolling them they’ll be a bit sticky (but most balls are). Luckily they harden in the fridge (as most balls do…sorry I couldn’t help myself 😛 ). I even keep them in the freezer if I’m packing them for lunch to make sure they don’t get too melty/sticky.

Almond Butter & Jelly Balls

Print Recipe

These Almond Butter & Jelly Balls make an ideal wholesome back-to-school snack to help you get back into a routine—even if you’re not actually heading back to class.

Author: Georgie
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 18 1x
Category: Snacks
Cuisine: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

1 Cup of Pitted Dates Loosely Packed
½ Cup of Slivered Almonds
½ Cup of Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
⅓ Cup of Oats
2 Tbsp of Almond Butter
1 Tbsp of Jam

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a food processor and mix until dough forms
Roll dough into 1″ balls
Store in fridge for up to 2 weeks

Your Turn:

College students: What are you most excited for this year?
~~Oldies~~ Graduates: How long did it take you to stop feeling “weird” that you weren’t going back?

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Top recipes

Edible Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough

Hi my name is Georgie and I’m addicted to chickpea cookie dough. Guys, I don’t even think it was a month ago that I shared my last edible cookie dough recipe and here we are again. But alas I can’t stop spooning this goodness into my face hole. This time I’ve made a couple twists that I think you’ll love.

This recipe checks of a lot of boxes

It’s almost too easy to be a recipe … check
It’s a hybrid of a snack and a dessert, what you might call a “snassert” … check
It takes less than 15 minutes to make … check
It requires no skill other than to chuck into a food processor … check
It’s cookie dough … check

Let’s be real… having a little treat post dinner is one of my favorite things. I love winding down, popping on a podcast and nommin’ on something sweet before bed. Yes in the past, I’ve tried eliminating all sugar out of my life in the name of health. It wasn’t the worst experience, but it also wasn’t as life changing as everyone says it is. (Mind you I’m starting at a pretty low baseline of sugar: fruit, the occasional snack bar, smoothie bowls, dates, some chocolate, a scone here and there nothing dramatic.)

At the time, I think I bought into the hype of eating ULTRA CLEAN because if you’re going to those lengths, then of course you don’t want to feel like it’s wasted effort. But comparing then, to how I feel now with virtually no “restrictions” it’s nothing measurably different. However, that’s just my bod. Everyone is so different that the only way to know what’s right for you is to try things out. Just make sure to give it some time and be honest with yourself.

I don’t notice a difference in my health when a do or don’t eat snassert. I don’t feel better in the morning if I skip it. I don’t lose 5 lbs if I skip it for a month. I don’t have more or less energy. Therefor, because it makes me happy, it stays.

Moral of the story: if you like a little snassert before bed, that’s cool. If you don’t, that’s also cool. Oh, but if you do like snassert then this healthy cookie dough is pretty much made for you.

Edible Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough

Print Recipe

Author: Georgie
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

1 Can of Chickpeas
2 Tbsp of Almond Milk*
⅓ Cup of Coconut Sugar
¼ Cup of Roasted Almond Butter
½ Cup of Oats
½ tsp of Vanilla Extract
¼ tsp of Almond Extract
1 tsp of Cinnamon
*or your favorite kind of non-dairy milk

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a food processor until dough is smooth and creamy
Serve in a bowl, add to yogurt, eat with pretzel sticks, pita chips skies the limit!
Store in fridge up to 2 weeks

Your Turn

Are you a snasserter?
Snack before bed or nah? If so, what’s your favorite treat?

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Healthy Gingerbread Energy Balls

Just one bite of these gingerbread balls and you’re tastebuds will be overwhelmed with festive flavor… but I promise you’ll want more than one bite.

Remember that time I said I had a bunch of gingerbread recipes in the works? It was no joke. I’m back today with more gingerbread and this time it’s coming at you in the ball form.

I always get super excited when my In it 4 the Long Run Pro Taste Tester (aka my sister) gives her thumbs up on a recipe right away. This most recent scene looked like this:

Me: Try this
Pro Tester: What is it?
Me: Just try it, then guess
Pro Tester: Ok, whatever *tries it, looks happily surprised* Wait what is it?
Me: I said, guess
Pro Tester: Gingerbread
Me: *mini happy dance*

My second cue is that she’ll go in for a second. My third cue is when I polish a batch off in less than a week. In this case all three applied. You guys, these balls are the real deal.

I think the real game changer in these little guys was the combination of crystalized ginger to give it that extra ginger-y oomph and the pecans to give them the melt-in-your-mouth texture. Pecans and gingerbread just go together. I’m not here to ask questions, I’m just here to eat balls…ok, you knew that was coming. I think it’s proper blogger etiquette to make 1-5 ball jokes for every ball recipe. I don’t make the rules, I just follow ‘em.

Other than instantly putting me in a festive mood, I love these ‘lil guys for a pre-workout snack. Usually I head to the gym before work and eat breakfast at my desk. But some mornings I wake up and want to eat ALL THE THINGS. I don’t do well with too much in my tummy before so these are the perfect size to hold me over until after my sweat sesh.

But I made a rookie mistake. When I finished photographing this batch I put them in a bowl in my fridge so every time I opened the fridge I automatically wanted them (and usually had one… or two) so yeah. They went fast, so I’ll just have to bust out the good ‘ol food processor again and get to ballin’.

Healthy Gingerbread Energy Balls

Print Recipe

Just one bite of these gingerbread balls and you’re tastebuds will be overwhelmed with festive flavor… but I promise you’ll want more than one bite.

Author: Georgie
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 20 1x
Category: Snacks
Cuisine: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

½ cup of unsalted cashews
1 cup of unsalted pecans
1 cup of old fashion oats
10 pitted dates
½ tsp of ground ginger
½ tsp of pumpkin pie spice
2 tbsp of crystalized ginger
1 tbsp of molasses

Instructions

Place all ingredients into your food processor and blend, stopping to scrape sides, for 3 minutes or until mixture is a dough consistency.
Remove the dough from the food processor and use a paper towel to blot excess oil (from the coconut)
Roll dough into small 1″ balls
Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks

Your Turn

Bloggers – do you have go-to recipe tester?
On a scale of 0-Super Pumped how pumped are you about Gingerbread season?

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