It has been one busy month. I don’t know about you, but when things get a bit hectic, I find myself running from one place to the next with little time to plan and prepare meals/snacks. When I’m not running around from location to location, I spend lots of time (too much time!) sitting and working at my desk. Then, without warning….I get a case of the munchies. I mean a serious case. Like, “tempted to eat my pencil” case of the munchies. What’s worse is sitting at your desk with a rumbling stomach knowing that you have nothing to satisfy your need for something quick and delicious. Oh, the agony! Fear not, today I am providing you with some of my favorite throw-together hunger-buster snacks that will leave you satisfied so you can get back to your hectic day! These snacks range from savory to sweet, so delve into the one that suits your fancy!

Green Smoothie
Makes: 1-2 Servings

Handful of Kale
½ Pear
½ Small apple
¼ Cucumber
1 T Flax Seeds
1 C water

Blend until smooth. Add ice if you want it to be colder.

Avocado Tuna (or salmon!) Salad
Makes: 2 Servings for a snack, 1 for a meal

Can of Tuna or Salmon
1 Ripe Avocado
Small handful chopped celery
Sea salt and pepper to taste
1-2 medium tomatoes

Mix the tuna (or salmon), avocado, and celery together in a small bowl. Hollow out the medium tomato and fill it with the tuna mixture. Makes a delicious snack or light meal! Yum!!

Chocolate Almond Butter Bananas (A yummy dessert!!)
Makes: About 5 servings, 2 pieces per serving

1 banana
1 bar of dark chocolate (I like Green & Black’s Organics 85% Cacao)
1 T almond butter (or your favorite nut butter)

Slice the bananas an inch thick and spread them out on parchment paper. Divide the tablespoon of nut butter between banana slices by placing a small dab on top of each slice. Melt your chocolate bar and drizzle on top of the bananas and almond butter. Place in freezer to harden and store in the freezer in a covered container.

Homemade trail mix with toasted coconut flakes
Servings vary depending on how much you use of each ingredient. 1 serving= ¼ cup

Nuts of choice (Almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts)
Raisins or dried cranberries
Coconut flakes
Cinnamon and sea salt to taste

For the toasted coconut flakes: Heat a skillet to medium-high heat and add coconut flakes. Keep an eye on them because they will start to brown after 3-5 minutes. Once they begin to brown, turn the heat off and sprinkle them with some cinnamon and sea salt (a little goes a long way). Remove from the pan and allow the coconut to cool.

Trail Mix: Mix together your nuts, dried fruit, and coconut flakes for a yummy on-the-go snack!

May you defeat your ‘Case of the Munchies’!

Kinsey