Sweet and Sticky Chex Mix

I've made this recipe quite a few times and each time I make it, it doesn't last long.  We went through the entire bowl on Thanksgiving Day.  Once you start eating this stuff it's so hard to stop because it's so deliciously crunchy, chewy and sweet.  This recipe is so easily made gluten free and that's how I typically make it.  You can can change up the candy and nut pieces for your favorites, but I'll just list how I made it. Really - I don't need to spend much time describing it.  Just make it!!  I PROMISE you won't regret it... or you will because you won't be able to stop eating it!

Sweet & Sticky Chex Mix

Ingredients:

3 cups rice Chex cereal

3 cups corn Chex cereal

3 cups gluten free small pretzels

1 cup cashew halves/pieces

1 cup m&m's

1 cup Reese's Pieces

2 sticks butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup white Karo syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

In a large bowl combine Chex cereals, pretzels and cashews.

In a small sauce pan melt butter with sugar and syrup.  Bring to a boil and turn town heat while still boiling, stirring constantly for about 3-4 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.

Pour sweet syrup over Chex mixture and combine using a large rubber spatula to stir it all up and cover everything with the sauce.  Add the m&m's and Reese's pieces here - if you add them early and the sauce is still too hot, the chocolate shells will melt.  Stir in the candy pieces and then spread it all out over a sheet of waxed or parchment paper to cool and dry.  Let sit out for a couple hours then put into a Tupperware bowl.  The mixture will still be sticky inside the bowl and you may have to break it apart to eat.

ENJOY!!!

Pumpkin Pie Energy Balls

Another delicious energy ball!!  I was impressed with how yummy these were also.  I enjoy them for a snack or after a good workout!  My kids loved them too!





Pumpkin Pie Energy Balls
Ingredients:
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 cup Bob's Red Mill Cereal 5 Grain Rolled Cereal
1/4 cup Justin's Almond Butter or your favorite almond butter
1/2 cup pure pumpkin (I used canned pumpkin)
1/4 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 scoop peanut butter protein powder*

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl then cover and refrigerate for about a half hour to chill.  Form into balls by hand and store in fridge.  Enjoy as a yummy snack!

*I use About Time Whey protein powder - http://tryabouttime.com/
If you use a different protein powder put in one whole serving size

Peanut Butter Energy Balls

I've seen so many of those no-bake energy balls and I've really been wanting to try them so I whipped up my own version.  Most other recipes I've seen include coconut and I knew I wouldn't get the kids to even try them if there was coconut in them so they're all whole grain oats.  They are DELICIOUS!  I love the chocolate and the crasins mixed together.  Try them for yourself!  Feel free to experiment with different nut butters or substitute different dried fruit or chocolate!


Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Ingredients:
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 cup Bob's Red Mill Cereal 5 Grain Rolled Cereal
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup chopped dark chocolate pieces (I had some dark chocolate chips and used my Pampered Chef Food Chopper until I had 1/4 cup)
1/4 cup craisins
1 scoop vanilla flavored protein powder*

Instructions:
Combine all in a bowl, I ended up mixing with my hands.  Cover and put in fridge about a half hour to chill.  Form into balls and store in fridge.  Grab one or two whenever you need a yummy snack!!

*I used About Time Whey protein powder in the Birthday Cake flavor - http://tryabouttime.com/
If you use a different powder use one whole serving of the protein powder.

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

I was looking for a recipe I had seen SOMEWHERE online for an apple pie smoothie.  It's paleo and had avocado in it.  If you see it, send it my way.  So as I was searching for that I came across this recipe from Civilized Caveman Cooking Creations which is one of my favorite paleo food websites.  He's got a lot of good stuff that I've barely made a dent in his recipe supply.  Some seriously delicious recipes.  Here is the original link for this recipe:  Pumpkin Pie Smoothie (his photography is WAY better than mine)  ;)

So after we had tacos last night made with my taco meat, 5 minute guacamole, and 10 minute pico de gallo served over some lettuce with some added jalapenos we all needed something a bit sweet to end our meal.  After coming off the Easter holiday weekend I told my kids no sugar.  This was a good compromise for them.  My son even told me this was a good one.  The kids each did feel like it needed to be sweeter so they each put a packet of Stevia in their smoothies.  They were happy to have dessert; I was happy it wasn't cake.  I would even add a package of About Time Whey in the Cinnamon Swirl flavor to add some protein to this!  It could be a good after workout smoothie!
This is a paleo and clean eating food option.


Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Ingredients:
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup coconut milk (I use Silk Original Coconut Milk - found at SuperTarget)
1/2 cup apple juice
1 banana
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 cup ice cubes

Instructions:
Combine all in a blender or smoothie maker and blend until smooth. 

Nutrition facts from www.fatsecret.com based on 2 servings:
Per Serving: Calories - 164, Fat - 3.37g, Cholesterol - 0mg, Sodium - 26mg, Potassium - 560mg, Total Carbs - 33.8g, Fiber - 6.8g, Sugars - 21.04g, Protein - 3.23g