Snack Time

I'm an self proclaimed notorious snacker. Funny as it sounds, I love putting out bowls of random treats, veggie cutlets and local fruit. The best thing about snacking is trying and sharing new flavors with a friend - mix together roasted eggplant and garlic, caramelized onions, spices and topped with pine nuts. Sounds fantastic, no? Try my favorite snack time recipe - Badenjan Dip. Below are more of my ultimate snack time treats that I've been making. I hope these will turn any big meal lover into a weekend snacker as well. xoxo

{Kale and Pink Lady Apple Juice Pulp Mash}

• 5 Dino Kale Leaves
• 1 Pink Lady® Apple
• 1 head of Romaine Lettuce
• 1 Avocado, Mashed
• 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• sea salt and pepper
• 5 Baby Grape Tomatoes, sliced

Juice kale, apple and lettuce. Reserve juice for breakfast. In a medium bowl, mix pulp with apple cider vinegar. Mash in avocado cubes with fork. Add salt and pepper to taste. Finish off with sliced sweet grape tomatoes. Plate with baby carrots, celery boats and cucumber slices.

There is also those times when nothing sounds more promising than chocolate. Every girl loves it but really all chocolate is not created equal. I like it dark, rich and bold. If your a dark chocolate lover, this is your recipe! Adapted from Averie's recipe for raw vegan peanut butter cups I composed a sweet vegan chocolate bar with floral notes.

{Spring Nutty Lavender Chocolate Bar}

Adapted from this recipe.

• 1/4 cup Melted Baker's Chocolate
• 1/2 tbsp Coconut Oil
• 1 tbsp Agave Nectar
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
• Sea Salt
• 1 tbsp Lavender
• 1 tbsp Dried Goji Berries
• 1 tbsp Raw Almonds, Crushed

Melt chocolate in microwave. Add coconut oil, agave nectar and vanilla. Salt to taste. Mix together and pour into two mini loaf pans. Sprinkle crushed almonds. Layer with more chocolate and top with lavender, goji berries and more almonds. Freeze for an hour or so.

And as if I really need anymore reason to love Mondays. I always make it a great incentive if I have an positive attitude I get rewarded with these semi indulgent treats. The only thing is that without any gluten or dairy, it feels more like a save than a splurge. Recently Kinnikinnick Foods sent me over these to save me from my usual mundane oatmeal cookies.

{Dipped Donuts, Cinnamon Donuts and Cookies}

The Chocolate Dipped Donut was wonderful after being warmed up for a few minutes and shared with a friend. I dipped mine in vegan hot chocolate for a double chocolate fix. It was cakey and dense - just how I like them! I missed the chocolate frosting flavor that usual bakery ones have but I am loving that they are soy free! The Cinnamon Sugar Donut was the best of the bunch. Cinnamon sugar sprinkles dusted on a vanilla cake donut. It was just like the ones I would eat at the fair growing up and it was bliss! Last but not least, I tried their KinniToos Chocolate Vanilla Sandwich Cookies - I was in for a treat. Without dairy, wheat or eggs these cookies were delightful! I thought the cream was perfect but the chocolate cookie was lacking the decedent flavor that I was expecting. But these were all treats I would start any Monday off gladly!

Getting back to whole foods, Boomi Bars are my treat by choice. There are many flavors that I make an effort to keep stocked in my bag...Cranberry Apple..Maple Pecan..Cashew Almond. All delicious and hearty - you can taste the sweet fruit and the earthy nuts. Surprisingly Healthy Hazel was my very favorite, me and hazelnuts? Who would have thought! But really it has this rich quality that made for a luxurious treat.

When all else fails in the kitchen I always know how to cheer up a sad piece of stale bread. My homemade Tart Cranberry Apple Chutney is one of the classic items in my fridge. I make a batch weekly and keep it in vintage jam jars. It reminds me of something my great aunts from North Carolina would serve on the side of homemade corn biscuits. My tart chutney can be served warm or cold for the best hometown snack.

{Tart Cranberry Apple Chutney on Crunchy Whole Grain Bread}

This recipe...well its under wraps for now but let me say it would be beautiful on top of corn cakes, in a Indian dish or paired beside any roasted vegetable harvest medley. I love this recipe though and I encourage anyone to try it!

Tell me...Whats your very favorite snack time treats? Leave comments and/or recipes and I'd love to try a few this week!