It’s never too early or too late to care for the most important muscle in your body. Good grab-and-go snacks include oatmeal, dark chocolate (70% cocoa), or any of your favorite veggies. But if you are looking to mix things up, we’ve got you covered.
To help you keep a happy heart today and always, here are 6 heart healthy snacks to try. They are easy and delicious! Make them for yourself or someone you love.
1. Cinnamon Apple Chips
Ingredients:
2 apples
Cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 200ºF.
2. Slice the apples very thin, being sure to remove any seeds.
3. Sprinkle the apples with cinnamon.
4. Bake for 1 hour.
5. Flip the apples and bake for another hour.
6. Let the apples cool.
7. Enjoy!
2. Cinnamon Baked Pears
Ingredients:
1/8 tsp of salt
1/4 cup of almonds (chopped)
1/2 cup of rolled oats
1/2 tsp of cinnamon sugar
1/3 cup of brown sugar
1 tsp of ground cinnamon
2 oz of melted butter (or coconut oil if preferred)
3 ripe pears
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Combine the almonds, ground cinnamon, oats, sugar, and salt.
3. Pour in half of the melted butter (or coconut oil).
4. Mix.
5. Cut pears in half and scoop out some of the center.
6. Brush the inside of each pear with the remaining butter.
7. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
8. Spoon oats and cinnamon mixture into the center of the pears.
9. Bake for 35 – 40 minutes (or until the pears get soft).
3. Cool Cucumber Boats
Ingredients:
1/2 tsp. of dill
1 cucumber
1 cup of low-fat cottage cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Peel the cucumber and cut it in half. Cut the halves again lengthwise.
2. Mix the cottage cheese, dill, salt, and pepper.
3. Spoon the cottage cheese mixture onto the cucumber slices.
4. Enjoy!
4. Frozen Banana Bites
Ingredients:
1/2 bag of dark chocolate chips
3 to 4 bananas
Almond or peanut butter
Instructions:
1. Slice the bananas.
2. Spread some almond or peanut butter on one side of each banana slice.
3. Sandwich the slices together in pairs of two.
4. Put the banana bites into the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes.
5. While the banana bites are freezing, melt the dark chocolate chips in the microwave in a microwave-safe glass bowl for 1 minute or 2, stirring the chocolate until it is smooth.
6. Using a pair of tongs, dip each banana bite into the melted chocolate on one side.
7. Set the banana bites on a piece of parchment paper.
8. Freeze the banana bites for 30 minutes.
9. Once frozen, enjoy! Store the remaining bites in an air-tight container in the freezer.
5. Healthy Monster Cookies
Ingredients:
1/8 tsp of salt
1/4 cup of creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup of nonfat milk
1/2 tbsp of unsalted butter (or coconut oil, if preferred), melted and slightly cooled
1/2 cup of light brown sugar
3/4 cup of whole wheat flour
1 tsp of vanilla extract
1 cup of instant oats
1 1/2 tsp of baking powder
1 large egg white (at room temperature)
2 tbsp of M&M candies, divided
2 tbsp mini chocolate chips, divided
Instructions:
1. Whisk together the baking powder, flour, oats, and salt.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter (or coconut oil), egg white, and vanilla. Mix in the peanut butter until it is smooth. Stir in the milk and brown sugar. Add inn the flour mixture (stirring just until incorporated). Fold in 1 1/2 tbsp of the M&Ms and 1 1/2 tbsp of the chocolate chips. Chill for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 325°Fâ.
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. Drop the cookie dough into 15 round scoops onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten the rounded scoops to the desired thickness and width.
6. Gently press the remaining M&Ms and chocolate chips onto the top.
7. Bake at 325°F for 10 to 13 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before placing on wire rack.
6. Peanut Butter Fruit Dip
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of your favorite creamy peanut butter (or almond butter, if you prefer)
1-3 tbsp. (to taste) of honey
1 cup of plain Greek yogurt
Instructions:
1. Combine all ingredients.
2. Whisk or stir until well-mixed.
3. Enjoy with apple slices, bananas, or anything else you prefer!
If you are dreaming of a friendly, active retirement community that will make a priority of your overall health–including your heart–look no further. The heart of our
campus is located on 168 beautiful acres of The Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve. With a variety of natural and cultivated features, such as wildflower meadows, paved and natural trails, woodlands, streams with kayak and canoe launches and more, the environment here provides endless opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment of the natural world. And speaking of heart-healthy snacks, at Medford Leas,
dining is an absolute treat. With delicious options that fit your schedule and preferences Medford Leas offers
formal service evening dining in the Garden and the Colonial Rooms, while the Coffee Shop café offers casual dining, grocery items, and meals “to-go” throughout the day.
Contact us today to learn more and schedule a tour.
