After school snacks (and a smoothie for you!)

Leslie B is back with a few more recipes for you "never stop working" moms.  Enjoy!

Whenever I'm asked to bring something sweet to a party, I usually add "and healthy" under my breath, then get to work on this recipe.  It's so good that I also make these paleo cookies for my two boys as a little surprise after-school snack.

I know what you're thinking:  The Paleo diet will torpedo most cookie recipes full of gluten, dairy and refined sugar.  Have no fear.  You can still eat cookies and be Paleo.

“Magic” peanut butter cookies used to be my go-to for quick and tasty (looks like I made an effort) treats.

How much easier can it get? One cup of sugar, one cup of peanut butter, one egg and one teaspoon each of vanilla and baking powder.  Relax, that's not the recipe I'm suggesting you make.  Peanuts ain't Paleo (because they are considered a legume), sugar in anything other than small doses is poison, and baking soda?  Well, it doesn't exactly grow on trees. 

With all that in mind...

I recently developed an amazing no-bake alternative to those “magic” cookies. This Paleo cookie is actually even easier to make since you never have to turn on your oven.

Here's how to do it:

Magic Paleo Almond Cookies (makes one dozen)

• 1 cup almond flour
• ½ cup cashews, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans or walnuts
• ½ cup honey
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil

Use your food processor to grind up all of the above ingredients until a ball of dough forms. Using your hands, quickly roll the dough into 12 balls and place on a baking tray. Flatten with a fork crosswise to form an “X” pattern on top. Refrigerate these cookies on the tray for at least two hours before serving and be sure to serve them cold. The coconut oil helps the cookies keep their shape, but they WILL become soft if left out at room temperature for too long.

You can use any nut you want. I love the almond and pecan versions the best. You can also use maple syrup or soaked dates instead of the honey if you wish.

Ok, that's a sweet after school snack.  What about something savory?  I mean, kids do not live by sweet food alone, right?!  Here's a great dip to put together when you've got a bit of time and want to make a REALLY tasty dip.  

Spicy Roasted Cauliflower and Onion Dip

• 1 head of cauliflower cut into small florets
• 1 large onion, sliced thinly
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 4 cloves garlic (keep whole)
• ¼ cup tahini
• 1 tablespoon freshly peeled lemon rind
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon of cayenne
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon of collagen peptide powder (optional) 
• Carrots, peppers and celery for dipping

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Roast cauliflower, garlic and onion in coconut oil until browned and fragrant. This should take about 15-20 minutes. Add the vegetables, garlic and all of the remaining ingredients into a food processor. Process until smooth and creamy. You can add more or less cayenne depending on the level of spice you desire. The collagen is totally optional, but it creates a really nice creamy texture. I use Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides.

Serve this dip with some cut up veggies and maybe throw in some cool kale or sweet potato chips for an extra crunch.

Now, what about an afternoon pick-me-up? Pina coladas are the best way to keep that summer feeling year round. You should know that these pina colada smoothies were a huge hit with the kids and no one complained about having this as a snack after a long day at school (add tequila, change “school” to “work” and no adult will complain either)!

Green Pina Colada Smoothie

• 1 cup frozen pineapple
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 1 cup frozen spinach
• 1 ½ ounce shot of tequila (optional) 
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice (optional, but awesome with the tequila)
• 1 teaspoon lime zest (optional as well, but delicious in both virgin and boozy versions.) 

I like to use the coconut milk from a carton to keep this a little on the lighter side, but feel free to use canned coconut milk instead. Add all of the ingredients to your blender and blend until smooth. Pour a little out for your kiddo, then add tequila and lime juice and zest to the blender. Mix it on up and sip on a delicious tropical cocktail while you help your little one with their homework. A+ for Mom!

Want this recipe as a 1 page PDF you can easily print?  Check out our eBook, On Being Paleo, which includes 30+ recipes (including this one) along with an easy Intro to Paleo and a guide through the 7 Pillars of Paleo.

 

• How this Mom found Paleo to beat cancer. It wasn't an easy journey! 
• Avocado Mousse Recipe (Double yum!)
• The Pioneers of Paleo:  Who started this whole thing, anyway?

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