February 23, 2010 6:02 pm

Healthy Snacks for Work, School and On-the-Go

Staying healthy on the go is no easy feat. However, with a little planning and some willpower, snack time can be both healthy and satisfying.

• Combat midday hunger with berries. Driscoll Berries are a great source of antioxidants and vitamins. They're breakfast filled with fiber or an easy pop in your mouth energy-filled snack. Tip: A cupful is less than 100 calories so pack them in a bag so you can grab a handful anytime for a burst of sweetness. To up the flavor factor, you can also add them to delicious Greek yogurt. Found in your local grocery and with a consistency like ice cream (we swear!), this incredibly rich yogurt is a perfect between-meal snack. We like Gluten free and Kosher certified Chobani yogurt: it is locally made in upstate New York, all-natural with no preservatives or artificial flavors and filled with protein—nearly twice that of regular yogurts.

• A healthy bagel? You got it. French Meadow Bakery Bagels are organic, yeast free, gluten free, vegan and Kosher. Don't worry, they're not taste free too. In fact, these babies are brilliant. Technique: Spread on some low-fat cream cheese and smoked salmon for a great sandwich on the go.

• And here are some carbs for a good cause—staying healthy. In our office, we've been snacking on Vitalicious Brownies. The 100 calorie, low fat, high in protein and fiber wonder brownie is so good that you'll forget it's also good for you. There's a ton of flavors and varieties (muffins, muffin tops), all packing more vitamins and minerals than an apple (and with less sugar too!).

• If you've been in a Starbucks recently, you've probably seen KIND Bars. These all natural fruit and nut bars are made from ingredients you can see and pronounce. Also on the Starbucks shelves: Food Should Taste Good Tortilla Chips. They're low in sodium and pack that perfect crunch. While it's not low-cal, sometimes you just have to satisfy the snack food craving. So if you're going reach for some chip, it might as well have good benefits as well. These chips are made with brown rice, quinoa, flax and sesame seeds—all heart-healthy grains. Trick: Dip them in some all natural salsas, sliced up avocado or cottage cheese.

• If the chips make you thirsty and you're sick of the office water cooler, try some Minute Made juice. All of the varieties from Blueberry Pomegranate to Kiwi Strawberry are filled with antioxidants and vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin E. For grab and go convenience, they come in individual containers making them great for school or work lunches and breaks.

Photo credit: www.driscolls.com

— Written by Celeste Hughey

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Tags : kind bar, minute maid, chobani, bagel, fresh meadow bakery, driscoll, berries, healthy, snacking

April 7, 2011 3:06 pm

Dessert of the Day: Merry Berry Parfait

The transition can often be hard to notice, but somewhere towards the end of spring, the seasons officially click, and all of a sudden it's summer. During this time of year, it's great to make use of the fresh fruit we have in season and begin to get creative, especially with our desserts. Instead of indulging in the rich, heavy desserts that we enjoy during the winter months, we can take advantage of some seasonal fruits and create lighter desserts that will leave us feeling refreshed. If for no other reason than to make sure your body is ready for the beach, incorporating fresh fruit into a dessert will lower the amount of calories and add in new flavors that you might have missed during the winter.

Merry Berry Parfait, created by Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa is a 100 calorie dessert that relies mainly on berries and mangoes for fresh and exciting flavor. Anthony cooks the fruit with a small amount of Splenda to bring out the sweetness. The parfait made out of sour cream, vanilla extract, and Splenda is light and airy, with a sweeter taste than yogurt. When combined together, you have a refreshing dessert perfect for a warm summer night and even better if you're watching your calorie intake.

Merry Berry Parfait

Ingredients
1 cup fresh raspberries, cooked at medium heat on stove with

1 tablespoon of Splenda till thickened

1 cup fresh blueberries, cooked at medium heat on stove with

1 tablespoon of Splenda till thickened

1 cup diced mangoes, cooked at medium heat on stove with 1 tablespoon of Splenda till thickened

3 cups fat-free sour cream

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup Splenda

Garnish: 9 sprigs of fresh mint

Preparation
1. Whip together sour cream, vanilla extract, and Splenda, using a wire whip, until smooth.

2. In each martini/parfait glass, put a layer of raspberry mixture, then a layer of sour cream mixture, and finish off with blueberry and mango mixture.

3. Chill. Serve garnished with a sprig of fresh mint.

Tip: If using Splenda freaks you out, you can always substitute with a slightly smaller amount of sugar in the raw.

Photo credit: Pritkin

— Written by Valerie Cario

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Tags : Anthony Stewart, Merry Berry Parfait, Valerie Cario, berries, mangoes, sour cream