Eat Well Wednesday: Carrot Cake Balls!

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

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Happy Wednesday Framers!

 

I don’t know about you but I LOVE carrot cake.  My favorite sweet treat for sure!

Unfortunately, a slice of carrot cake (well at least the size slice that I would want) can really add some calories and sugar to my daily tally. Every once in a while it is OK.  Life is about balance.

But I would love to have a little taste of it everyday.  Instead of keeping a carrot cake around the house, which would be so tempting, I decided to whip up some Carrot Cake Bites.

I love the portion control that bite sized treats offer because it allows you to keep things in check.  You can enjoy one or two and get your sweet fix without feeling that you are going into a sugar coma.

This recipe makes about 22 Carrot Cake Bites and they come in at around 100 calories and 4 grams of sugar per bite.  Great nutrition stats for this yummy treat!!

 

Really, really simple.  You don’t even have to turn 

Carrot-Cake-Bites

Here is what you need:

  • 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1/3 cups unroasted pecans, chopped
  • 1 tbsp ground flax seed
  • 3/4 cup almond butter
  • 3 tbsp agave nectar or honey
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup (packed) grated carrot
  • 1/3 cup raisins

 

Here is what you do:

  • In a large bowl, mix together the oats, pecans and flax seed.
  • Stir in the almond butter, agave nectar and cinnamon until well combined.
  • Stir in the grated carrot and raisins.
  • Using 2 tablespoons (packed) of the mixture for each bite, roll the mixture into bite-sized balls. Using a medium-sized cookie scoop makes this process easier. Also, spray your hands with cooking spray to stop the mixture from sticking.
  • Place the granola bites on a baking sheet, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve.

 

Eat Well Wednesday: Raspberry Oat Squares!

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               Happy Wednesday Framers!

 

      Looking for a healthy treat?  

 

These Raspberry Oat Squares are so delicious and healthy thanks to the 100% whole grain crust and low sugar filling.  These bars also freeze well, so whip up a batch this week and stock up for your holiday parties and goodie giving.  Happy baking!!

 

           Raspberry Oat Squares

 

Crust

  • 1 1/2 cup Rolled oats
  • 1 cup Whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup sugar (You can also try a sugar substitute such as stevia)
  • 1 chia egg (1 tablespoon of chia seeds + 3 tablespoons of water. Let sit for 5 minutes)
  • 1/2 cup Butter (Vegan friends can use earth balance)
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons almond milk

 

Filling

1 Jar Low Sugar/Reduced Sugar Raspberry Jam (You can use any flavor of jam!)

 

Directions

 

Step 1 Preheat oven to 350.Line a 9 x 9 pan with parchment paper.Mix the chia egg (1 tablespoon of chia seeds + 3 tablespoons of water) and set aside

Step 2 In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients.

Step 3 In a small bowl, melt the butter (earth balance) in the microwave.Add the remaining wet ingredients (maple syrup, almond milk and chia egg). Stir together

Step 4 Combine the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well.Reserve 1/2 cup of the mixture for your crust and press the remaining dough into your lined 9 x 9 pan.Press down the dough to make a nice thick crust.

Step 5 Spoon your raspberry jam (or favorite flavor jam) on top of the crust. Spread out evenly.

Step 6 Take the remaining 1/2 cup or oat mixture and sprinkle on top of the filling. Don’t worry about it being perfect.

Step 7 Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.Allow to cool, place in the fridge and then cut into bars.

 

 

HeadshotJill Tarpey is leading us Wednesday by Wednesday into making better food choices and being more healthful. Tune in every Wednesday to get some great recipes and advice from someone who really knows health. In an effort to fuel her passion to serve as well has enhance the lives of others through their nutritional choices, she started Eat Well SA (San Antonio). Her vision is to educate you on how to incorporate a healthy array of foods into your life. Eat Well is not a diet, nor does it embrace any one specific dietary agenda. She also offers customized programs that are educational and teach you the tools you need to maintain healthy, well balanced eating for your busy lives.