This month I have mostly granolas, or snack recipes to share with you that I tried. At the end there will also be a link to make your own taco seasoning that is really yummy.  I have been using the taco seasoning recipe for about a year and it is awesome. I have an allergy to peppers so it is helpful to me to make my own and omit that ingredient.

It took me longer to get this post out since I made some of these snacks twice and eat them twice! I totally forgot to take a picture!!! So I made another batch today of a couple of them. They were just so good!

From the blog Trash is for Tossers I learned to pop amaranth, which is slightly tricky. Mainly it seems one has to let the pan get really hot before putting the amaranth into to pop. It does start to pop, much like popcorn. This recipe is delicious!!! I prefer to use rice syrup instead of honey. It worked fine. The apricots were a divine addition. I never have been much of a fan of the flavor of amaranth. It always seems to need spicing up once it is cooked. Popping it really releases a different, nutty flavor that is very good. The link for this recipe is here: http://www.trashisfortossers.com/2013/09/no-bake-energy-bars.html

Trash is for Tossers No Bake Energy Bars

I also made chia seed bars with dates and coconut oil. This recipe is from Wellness Mama’s blog and she has a bunch of good recipes. The chia mix was really good although my dates never got into a paste consistency since I don’t have a food processor. I had a tiny one and it decided to die, so I just hand chopped the dates and mixed them in. It remained a chunky texture but I eat it with a spoon and enjoyed it. I wasn’t really sure about using the nurti- bullet for six dates only, seemed like a small amount. Anyway I found this recipe quite good added to plain oatmeal with a bit of coconut milk. It added a crunchy texture and the dates went well with the oatmeal. I added grated coconut shreds to my chia seed mix. I would listen to Katie of Wellness Mama and “Do not eat these after dinner!” Chia sees can give you energy and that might not be the right time of day for that. The link to this recipe is here: http://wellnessmama.com/5475/chia-seed-energy-bars/

This Coconut Granola recipe is just so good you will be coming back for more and more! The apricots I decided to add also were excellent with this recipe! I used some walnuts and hazelnuts with mine, and that was an awesome choice. I really like this recipe since I like having a grain free granola option. Link provided here: http://wellnessmama.com/9315/coconut-granola/

Coconut Granola

I also tried Pumpkin Cranberry bars. They were quite tasty if you like pumpkin. I like them with breakfast although next time I think I will cut down on the brown sugar. I really am eager to try this recipe with peaches instead of pumpkin as well. I think that would work with the pumpkin pie spice. For this recipe with oats, I use gluten free oats but regular oats will work if you aren’t going gluten free.

If you live in an area where gluten free foods are rather expensive, like I do, I’d say look into shopping from Vitacost.com for some items. I order my gluten free oats from them and the savings is substantial from what the health foods stores charge around here.  I also started my new year off with a nice set of Pyrex glass tupperware so I have a good storage method for snack bars and other foods.  Some recipes I store in mason jars.

Making snacks can take quite a bit of time depending on which recipe. I find it helps to prepare a little bit for two or three days in advance if there is nut chopping, amaranth popping, and what have you going on. If you do a bit here and there then eventually you have it to where you know the next time you approach it you can put everything together and stir it up!

I like the syrup or honey mixtures with peanut butter. They remind me of my grandpa Rufus T who loved what he referred to as “crud.” Papa loved “crud” on his bread or crackers. I think Papa T would be smiling to see me mixing up snacks with his beloved “crud.”

I also will share with you a recipe I like for a Gluten Free Grape-Nuts Cereal that I like. I didn’t make this this month but I plan to make it soon. It makes the apartment smell like gingerbread cookies. It is very good and I like it on top of coconut yogurt. This link for this cereal: http://www.food.com/recipe/gluten-free-grape-nuts-cereal-512706.   You can see my other post for the recipe for the coconut yogurt: https://www.rewindreduceandrecycle.com/rewinding-reducing-recycling/

I think that is about it for the new snack recipes I tried this month. This taco seasoning is worth mentioning, if you like tacos like me. I tried it one night with Black Angus Beef and that was really delicious. Usually I just use regular beef or turkey meat.Here is the link to the recipe: http://peaceloveandlowcarb.com/2013/09/low-carb-taco-seasoning.html

I hope you enjoyed this post and I have some more recipes in mind to try this month. I will share them with you later!!