3 Homemade Snacks Foods That are Healthier and Tastier than Store Bought

Although having store-bought organic and other healthy snacks on hand is certainly handy and convenient, there is a lot to be said for making at least some of our snack time staples. In addition to generally tasting a lot better, many homemade snacks are cheaper and as a major bonus, we can control exactly what we are putting into them, and our bodies. We can also decide to purchase some or all organic ingredients for the recipes, and add as little or as much salt and other spices as we wish.

The following three snacks are easy to make at home, and the homemade versions taste absolutely amazing:

1. Granola Bars

Granola bars are the perfect on-the-run, grab-and-go snack. But as most of us know quite well, healthy and organic granola bars tend to be pretty pricey at the supermarket, and the cheaper ones are usually loaded up with processed sugar and  toxic preservatives. Fortunately, making homemade granola bars is super easy, thanks to a five-ingredient recipe from Minimalist Baker.

Delicious and simple Homemade Granola Bars

1 cup packed pitted dates and process them in a food processor until they are in tiny pieces

Add:

• 1 – 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup roasted and unsalted almonds

Then warm in small pan over low heat

• 1/4 cup of raw honey or organic maple syrup
• 1/4 cup of salted truly natural peanut butter or almond butter
• Add raisins, cranberries, cherries, dark chocolate chips, bananas, apples for you favorite flavor (optional)

Directions:

• Stir in the dates, add the rolled oats the and the almond with the warmed honey and peanut or almond butter until evenly mixed.
• Spread it into an eight-by-eight inch pan lined with parchment paper and press the mixture down so it’s relatively even.
• Cover with plastic wrap, pop it in the fridge for about 20 minutes, and you will have healthy delicious unbaked granola bars ready for the whole family to enjoy.

This recipe yields 10 bars, which can be stored for a few days.

2. Guacamole

If you love chips loaded up with fresh green guacamole, you probably know how expensive store-bought guacamole can be. Plus is you take a look at some of the store-bought ingredients that are filled with toxic  preservatives and unhealthy choices its enough to make you shutter!

You’re in luck, making it at home is really easy, and you can control not only how much salt goes into it, but also if you want it mild or mega-spicy.

Simply Recipes has a great recipe for guacamole

• Combine two ripe avocados
• 1 teaspoon of Kosher salt (optional)
• 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon or lime juice
• 1 one or two minced Serrano chiles (these are optional)
• 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped up
• 1/2 of a ripe organic tomato

Directions: Use a fork to mash-up the avocados and then add in everything but the chopped up tomato. Chill the guacamole until you are ready to serve it, and then add the tomato. Now you can enjoy your healthy and tasty homemade guacamole.

3. Venison Jerky

If you have ever purchased any type of jerky from the store, you probably know that it is incredibly spendy.  Surprisingly, jerky is also a snack that you can make from the comfort of your own home. Living Ready Online has a delicious recipe for venison jerky made from deer meat.

Unlike beef, which tends to be pretty high in fat, deer meat is usually much leaner and is a very healthy option. If you live in a region known for deer hunting or have your own farm and you would like to harvest a deer for its meat, just be sure to have your hunter’s safety license ahead of time. The HUNTER course website will allow you to take your hunter safety course online any time of day or night.

Homemade Venison Jerky

• Use fresh deer meat — cut it up into small chunks and soak them in salted water for 24 hours.
• Place the pieces of meat in a freezer bag with a commercial organic or natural jerky curing mix and let it sit in the fridge for a full day.
• Then place the venison pieces into a 200 degree oven for five hours, turning each piece halfway through.

After it cools, sit back and enjoy some of the best jerky you have ever eaten.

 So now you make the choice of what you want your family eating!  Healthy and tasty homemade snacks that you are sure of the ingredients OR expensive store-bought that could contain unhealthy ingredients.

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About the author

Marla

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Hi! Thanks for visiting my blog! I believe in living green, organically, and natural in every aspect of our lives. My mission is to help educate you on how to live green, help save our environment and to help you and your family live a happier, healthier life!