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Get Fit Challenge: Snack on Sweet Potato Fries

Fit Community — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:50 -0700

The tenth challenge for the Get Fit For 2010 giveaway is to share a healthy snack. FitSugar reader SnackGirl likes to munch on sweet potato fries.

The most eaten vegetable in the United States is the potato. Found in fast food venues from coast to coast the delicious French Fries are hard to avoid. BUT, it is possible to bake something that will satisfy the craving. Baked sweet potato fries have the crunchy outside, and the soft inside and they pack a nutritional wallop with 219% of your daily allowance of Vitamin A in one serving. And that is just ONE of the benefits of eating them. How do you make sweet potatoes taste amazing? Add a little sugar and there is a caramelization that takes place. Do you notice the word "caramel" here?

Anyone else like the taste of brown sugar and salt?

The key to this recipe is to hang around and flip the fries after 15 minutes, and not to crowd the pan. These are really EASY to make. If you don't have a decent vegetable peeler, you should get one. Having a working peeler makes you want to peel vegetables. Having a crappy peeler makes you want to order from Burger King.

After you make these, just pop them in your fridge. Eat them as a snack or add them to your salad. Mush them in your yogurt or eat them for breakfast After they are refrigerated, they aren't as crunchy but they still taste really good. Sweet potatoes are available all year, though their season is Fall and Winter. Choose potatoes that are hard to the touch, because the soft ones are rotten.

Check out the recipe when you read more.
Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
(serves 4)
aluminum foil for pan
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450 F. Half the sweet potatoes lengthwise. Place on flat slide and slice 5-6 spears (thick and long strips) of sweet potato. Place them on the aluminum foil and toss with olive oil and sugar. Spread them in one layer. It is important that they have space around them and aren't piled up on each other. Bake for 15 minutes and turn with tongs or a spatula. Bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Add salt and pepper. Serve hot, room temperature, or cold.

See snack-girl for great healthy snack ideas!

Share your fave snack in the Get Fit For 2010 community group. By participating, you'll also be entered into the drawing for our weekly giveaway of a $100 Nike gift card as well as our awesome grand prize.

Healthy Dessert: Baked Pears With Maple Greek Yogurt and Granola

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:00:59 -0700

Spring is coming soon, but for many of us, we still have some cold nights ahead of us. This time of year I always try to make my favorite cold weather foods like soups, breads, and warm treats before Spring officially blows in. Here's one my family loves that's easy to make, tastes oh-so decadent, but is a great source of fiber and protein. Make it to enjoy for breakfast or an after-dinner dessert.

Check out this simple recipe when you read more.

Baked Pears with Maple Greek Yogurt and Granola
Modified from recipe found in Snack Attack Group

Ingredients

2 firm pears (Bartlett or Anjou)
1/2 cup apple juice
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon honey
16 ounce container plain Greek yogurt
4 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 cup granola
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Cut the pears in half lengthwise, and remove cores with a spoon. Place in an 8x8-inch baking pan, cut-sides down.
Pour apple juice and water over pears, and drizzle with honey. Cover pan loosely with foil and bake about 35 minutes or until tender.
When pears are done, pour the leftover baking liquid into a small saucepan and reduce over medium heat until about 1/4 cup of syrup remains; set aside to cool.
Open the container of Greek yogurt and stir in the maple syrup. Divide yogurt into four bowls. Place a half of the warm pear in each bowl, cut side up. Top with granola and walnuts, and drizzle with syrup you set aside.

Makes four servings.

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I also like serving this dish for brunch. If you have a tasty and healthy recipe to share, post it in the Healthy Recipe Group. I am always looking for new ones to try.

Snack Attack: Banana Dog

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 04:30:53 -0800

Here's a quick snack I love to nosh on in the late afternoon before a long hike or bike ride or after a run. It's filling, packed with protein, and tastes sweet enough to feel like a treat. If you're a peanut butter fanatic, you're going to love this simple and nutty snack.

It is so easy to make and only involves four ingredients. To find out how to create your own peanut butter hot dog, and see how many calories it contains, read more.

What you'll need:
One slice whole wheat bread
One tablespoon natural peanut butter (I prefer crunchy)
One small ripe banana (peeled)
1/2 tablespoon strawberry jam

What you do:
Spread the peanut butter on the bread. Place the peeled banana in the middle. Dab on the jam to make it look like ketchup. Squeeze the bread together like a bun and enjoy!

Check out the nutritional stats of this yummy snack:

Do you have a tasty and healthy snack you want to share? Post your recipe in the Snack Attack group.

Snack Attack: Kale Chips

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:30:00 -0800

My first experience with kale chips was at Blue Hill New York - the highly respected farm-to-table restaurant owned by James Beard winner, executive chef Dan Barber. I was in heaven when I tried the first bite: light, crispy, and nutty, with the perfect amount of salt to complement the subtle taste of kale. The chips were a goner in less than a minute. Months after returning home, a craving hit me and I attempted to duplicate the recipe. Who knew it would be so easy!

Last night I was going through one of my favorite food magazines - Bon Appetit - and saw Dan Barber's own recipe within its pages. I guess I am not the only one addicted to these things! Try making them for yourself and you'll see what I mean. Besides being a great alternative to potato chips, kale chips make a great party snack or mid-afternoon treat.

Do you have a healthy snack to share? Post it in our Snack Attack community group - I'll need something to munch on after my kale chips are gone.

To see the recipe, read more.

Kale Chips
Inspired by a dish from Blue Hill New York

If you cannot find Tuscan kale (aka dinosaur or dino kale) at your grocer, it's OK to substitute the recipe with another type of kale. Just make sure you remove the leaves from the tough parts of the kale. Don't discard the stem and ribs though - use them to make a veggie broth!

Ingredients

1 large bunch Tuscan kale (10 to 12 leaves)
1 tablespoon oilve oil
Sea salt to taste
Fresh ground pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 275°F.
Remove stalks and ribs from kale. Rinse and dry leaves.
Toss leaves in a large bowl with olive oil. Sprinkle leaves with sea salt and ground pepper.
Arrange leaves in a single layer onto a baking sheet.
Back for approximately 30 minutes or until crisp.
Transfer and let cool onto a wire rack or paper towels.

Serves 2.

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Source: Flickr User ilovemypit

Snack Attack: Nutty Chocolate Strawberry Banana Smoothie

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:50:01 -0800

If you're looking for a sweet treat, but don't want to sabotage your healthy goals with a high-calorie chocolate goodie, here's a recipe that's sure to satisfy your cocoa cravings. Made with chocolate soy milk, peanut butter, and Greek yogurt, this smoothie is full of protein, and the banana and strawberries add fiber and a hint of sweetness.

Ready to indulge? Then keep reading

Snack Attack: No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:00:19 -0800

Peanut butter is one of my all-time favorite foods, so I love to bake with it. But this recipe requires no baking at all. These chewy, nutty treats are made with all-natural peanut butter, wheat germ, rolled oats, and coconut, and no added sugar, so they're a healthy treat you can enjoy anytime. I like to take a couple out on long rides with me instead of an energy bar.

To see this simple recipe, keep reading.

Snack Attack: Warm Apple Toast

FitSugar — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:50:51 -0800

If you're looking for a yummy snack idea that'll warm you up on a cold afternoon or satisfy your sweet tooth after dinner, you've got to make this delicious apple toast. Simple to make, you only need four ingredients.

To learn how to create this easy recipe, read more.

Ingredients:
1 slice whole wheat bread
1 tablespoon all natural peanut or almond butter
Half a medium apple, cored and sliced
Sprinkle of cinnamon

Preheat toaster oven to 350° F.
Smear the nut butter on the bread. Top with sliced apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Bake for 10 minutes, or until the apples are slightly soft.

This easy snack contains:

Do you have a tasty and healthy snack you want to share? Post your recipe in the Snack Attack group.

Snack Attack: Nutty Craisin Cottage Cheese

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:00:00 -0800

If you're looking for a snack that'll fill you up, give you energy, and also satisfy your need for something creamy, crunchy, or sweet, then have I got the snack for you. It's made with only three ingredients, so it's super simple to whip up, and has become my new favorite afternoon snack.

To learn how this snack is made and find out how many calories and grams of protein it contains keep reading

Snack Attack: Apple, Peanut Butter, and Pumpkin Seed Stacks

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:00:15 -0700

Take advantage of Fall's harvest and pick up some fresh apples for this healthy and delicious snack. The apples will not only satisfy your sweet tooth and your need to crunch, but they're also a great source of fiber. I used Pink Lady apples for this recipe, but you can use any variety you like. Munch on these stackers for breakfast or a light lunch, or cut the recipe in half if you just want to make a little snack.

To learn how to whip up this quick treat and see the nutritional info for it keep on reading

Snack Attack: Nonfat Yogurt Dill Dip and Veggies

FitSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Celebrate all the delicious veggies being harvested with this creamy and refreshing yogurt dill dip. It's made with nonfat Greek yogurt so it's low in calories, high in protein, and has a tangy flavor that complements veggies beautifully.

For my recipe read more.

Recipe for Nonfat Yogurt Dill Dip
my own creation

Ingredients

6 ounces of nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate for at least two hours.
Serve with chopped veggies or crackers.

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