Healthy Snack: Avocado and Sauerkraut

Published on February 26, 2017November 9, 2018 by Kariane

When you’re looking for a snack that both tastes delicious and nourishes your body, here is a perfect candidate: half an avocado topped with a scoop of sauerkraut.

Sauerkraut not only has all of the health benefits of cabbage, but – as long as it is traditionally fermented and unpasteurized – it is also filled with healthy-gut-supporting probiotics. In addition to supporting digestive health, raw sauerkraut can boost circulation, stimulate your immune system, and reduce inflammation (Organic Facts, 2015). … Continue reading

Homemade Parmesan Crisps

Published on October 14, 2016November 2, 2018 by Kariane

A couple weeks ago we were doing our grocery shopping and one of the employees offered us a sample of the parmesan crisps they had just made. Immediately, we were hooked. We left with two containers.

While we could continue to buy pre-made parmesan crisps, I decided to try making them myself. I started with a large chunk of raw, aged, grass-fed Parmesan cheese. … Continue reading

The Value of Grazing Trays for Tots

Published on March 31, 2016October 17, 2018 by Kariane

I am fortunate to have several wonderful women in my life with whom I have shared friendship and guidance over the years. My parenting and my heart have been blessed by their wisdom, love, honesty, and good humor. Last week my friend Lainie wrote about using Lines to teach kids how to clean up (see HERE). This week, Donna, true heart-friend of 18 years and mother of 3 lovely girls (ages range from 1 to 16), writes about Grazing Trays. … Continue reading

Macadamia Nut and Blueberry Trail Mix

Published on October 16, 2015October 7, 2018 by Kariane

We eat a lot of trail mix in our house. The simple combination of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit is easy to grab when we need a quick snack, and is perfect to bring as a snack when we’re on the go. We simply grab the jar out of our refrigerator, toss it into the backpack, and we’re off.

Our latest favorite trail mix blend is super simple, but wonderfully delicious (and addictive!).… Continue reading

How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds (works for other squashes too)

Published on October 11, 2015October 7, 2018 by Kariane

Whenever I cut open a fresh winter squash (pumpkin, butternut, acorn squash, spaghetti squash, and so on), the first thing I do is scoop out all of the seeds.

Did you know that with just a little bit of extra effort, you can roast those seeds and make a delicious, nutritious snack? Next time, instead of scooping those seeds into your compost or garbage, scoop them onto a baking sheet instead.… Continue reading

Preserving Summer’s Bounty: Dehydrating Stone Fruits

Published on September 16, 2015October 2, 2018 by Kariane

We’ve enjoyed a lot of stone fruits, such as peaches and plums (see HERE and HERE), throughout the summer. As summer comes to an end, we decided to dehydrate what will likely be our last bags of local stone fruits.

Dehydrating our own fruit not only allows us to preserve some of the delicious flavors of summer to snack on throughout the fall and winter (if they last that long), it also allows me to dry our fruits at a low temperature and without any additives or preservatives.… Continue reading

Health Snack: Fresh Watermelon

Published on August 30, 2015August 28, 2015 by Kariane

Watermelon is the quintessential summer fruit. It’s tasty, wonderfully refreshing, and watermelons peak during the hot months of summer. Today we took slices of our local, organic watermelon outside to eat as we enjoyed a hot, plans-free summer afternoon. It felt and tasted like a slice of paradise.

In addition to tasting delicious, watermelon is also wonderfully healthy. Here are some of the health benefits of watermelon:

Watermelons, in spite of being 92% water, are nutrient dense, containing a wide array of vitamins and minerals, including large amounts of Vitamins A and C, more lycopene than any other vegetable or fruit, as well as a wide assortment of other nutrients (Szalay, 2014).… Continue reading

Healthy Snack: Fresh Plums

Published on August 19, 2015September 26, 2018 by Kariane

We just had new neighbors move in across the street. We live in the mountains, and don’t have many people close by, but we’ve been fortunate that those who live around us are truly wonderful people. I’m excited about meeting the newest residents in our neighborhood, and want to greet them with a welcome gift in hand.

My son suggested making them some type of cookies or a cake, but I always feel nervous about bringing baked goods to people I don’t know.… Continue reading

Healthy Snack: Fresh Peaches

Published on July 29, 2015September 26, 2018 by Kariane

“Life is better than death, I believe, if only because it is less boring, and because it has fresh peaches in it.” ― Alice Walker

In my title, I called Fresh Peaches a Healthy Snack, but perhaps I should call them a Healthy Treat, which is how we often eat fruit in our house. Local peaches are now in season here in the Rockies, and they are delicious.… Continue reading

Healthy Snack: Cucumbers with Soft Goat Cheese (Chevre)

Published on July 10, 2015September 23, 2018 by Kariane

This week’s healthy snack of choice is Sliced Cucumbers with Soft Goat Cheese. The goat cheese is loaded with healthy fats, as well as giving a nice tangy taste and creamy feel to the snack (For information on the health benefits of goat cheese, please see HERE). The cucumber is crunchy, juicy, and wonderfully refreshing. Together, these make a great combination, and the rounds are simple and quick to prepare.… Continue reading

Everyday Intentional Living

A Mindful Approach to a Simplified Life.

snacks