These gluten-free crunch bars are made with puffed brown rice cereal to provide a lower calorie base than most store-bought bars. Then flax seeds, pine nuts, pecans and dried cranberries add healthy fats and antioxidants. You might want to replace the brown sugar with honey to add more flavor.


These are delicious snack bars that you can eat on the go … something healthy to grab when there’s no time for a normal breakfast in the morning.


This recipe calls for baking in the oven, so it takes a little more time to prepare than raw granola energy bars. It’s worth it, though, because these energy bars are really tasty:

RISE & SHINE ENERGY BARS

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup pecans, chopped
• 1 cup gluten-free oats
• ⅓ cup pine nuts
• ¼ cup flax seeds
• ⅔ cup light brown sugar
• ½ cup honey
• 4 Tbsp. unsalted earth balance or butter
• ½ tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. g-free vanilla extract
• 2 cups g-free puffed brown rice cereal
• ½ cup dried cranberries

Go to the next page for the detailed instructions …

Next Page »

The post Enjoy Meg’s Nutritious & Easy-to-Make “RISE & SHINE” ENERGY BARS appeared first on Top Morning Recommendations.

When you’re shopping, look for natural varieties made without added partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats) and other suspect ingredients.

You’ll find that the healthy peanut butter contain the following nutrients:

Vitamin E, magnesium, iron, selenium and vitamin B6.
Research shows that people who regularly eat nuts and nut butter, including peanut butter, are less likely to develop heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Plus, peanut butter is so versatile—what other food transitions seamlessly from breakfast to lunch to dinner to snack and dessert?

Here are links to 5 yummy recipes ranging from breakfast to lunch to dinner to snack and dessert:

Breakfast: PB&J Waffles
Pile your favorite fruit on top of this!

Lunch: Open-Faced PB Banana Sandwich

Snack: Apple & PB ‘Wiches
(Also great for breakfast!)

Dinner: Peanut Butter Spaghetti

Dessert: PB Banana Freeze Pop

Source: Joy Bauer

The post Nutritious Peanut Butter (… or Any Other Nut Butter) Recipes to Enjoy appeared first on Top Morning Recommendations.

The simple mixture of nutrient-rich kale, olive oil with their heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and sea salt turns into a crispy delight that gives regular old potato chips a run for their money.


It turns out, that tough, bitter tasting kale takes on an airy crispiness as well as a mellow flavor when it’s roasted with just a bit of olive oil and salt.

The ingredients for approximately 6 servings (58 calories per serving):

12 ounces kale

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

sea salt, to taste

Here are the preparation instructions to make these Healthy Kale Chips:

1. Preheat oven to 300 °F.


2. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.


3. Remove ribs and tough stems from kale and cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces.


4. Place kale in a large bowl and toss with olive oil.


5. Spread kale in a single layer on prepared baking sheet, taking care not to overcrowd the kale. You may need to use two baking sheets or bake the chips in two batches.


6. Sprinkle kale with sea salt and seasonings (if using).


7. Bake kale for 22-25 minutes or until crispy, flipping chips halfway through. Watch kale closely during the last several minutes of cooking. If smaller pieces are cooking faster, remove them from the sheet to avoid burning.


8. Allow chips to cool on baking sheet.


9. These kale chips are best served within a couple of hours. If storing for longer, cover chips loosely to avoid the chips getting soggy.

Source: Emily Caruso

The post I Love to Nibble on These HOMEMADE Super-Delicious (and Super-Healthy) “KALE CHIPS” appeared first on Top Morning Recommendations.

3/4 cup or 115g (4.06 ounces) blanched almonds or nut butter
1 cup or 160g (5.64 ounces) raisins or other dried fruit
2 Tablespoons or 20g (0.71 ounces) cocoa nibs
1 Tablespoon or 15g (0.53 ounces) protein powder
1/2 cup or 85g (3 ounces) seed mix or trail mix


Optional: goji berries, coconut, cocoa powder, chopped nuts for rolling the outside of the protein balls.


Two protein balls contain 8.8g (0.31 ounces) protein


Add all ingredients into a food processor and process until it forms a sticky ball. Portion into 14 balls and roll in coconut, chopped nuts, goji berries or cocoa powder.

Ann answers questions and shows how to make these Healthy Protein Bites in the video, below.

If you would like to see more healthy recipe videos that we’ve discovered and enjoyed, then please Like our Facebook Page!

Source: Ann Reardon

The post Delicious No-Bake PROTEIN BITES (Video) appeared first on Top Morning Recommendations.

3 oz (heaping 5 c) soy crisps
6 tbsp (2 oz) soy protein powder
6 tbsp powdered peanut butter
½ c water
6 tbsp agave
2 tbsp peanuts, roughly chopped
6 mini pretzel twists, roughly chopped
2 tbsp peanut butter chips

Here are the 4 steps to follow:

1. Lightly coat an 8”-square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray, and set aside.

2. Add half of the soy crisps to a blender or food processor, and pulse 3-4 times. Pour into a large bowl and break up any large pieces with your fingers. Repeat with the remaining soy crisps. Add the soy protein powder to the bowl, and stir until evenly distributed.

3. Add the powdered peanut butter, water, and agave to a small pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a spatula, for about 3 minutes until it begins to boil. Let it boil for 15-20 seconds before pouring over the soy mixture. Stir with the spatula until all of the dry ingredients are incorporated.

4. Pour the soy mixture into the prepared pan, and carefully press down. In order, sprinkle the peanuts, pretzels, and peanut butter chips over top, pressing each down into the soy mixture. Cut into 10 bars.

Tip: Cut each of the peanut butter chips in half to ensure there’ll be a little bit in every bite.


Source: Amy

The post Popular Homemade Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars (with Healthy Options …) appeared first on Top Morning Recommendations.