Sweet tooth struggles!

Sweet & salty snack

Craving something sweet, but don't want to ruin all that hard work you've been putting into eating well?!  

Welcome to my life. I developed my sweet tooth and love for baking at an early age. It was inevitable. I grew up in the house all my friends were excited to hangout at because of the unlimited supply of sodas, candy, crackers, cookies...I know what you are thinking, poor poor Holly ;)

BUT I am an adult now and I am responsible for choosing what I put in my body. While I do indulge in treats, I believe there are different tiers in the sweet world of deliciousness. My secret is to eat something somewhat nutritious, while satisfying my sweet tooth! Keep these ideas in mind when your sweet tooth strikes...

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Sweet snacks:  
Plain greek yogurt with fruit, nuts, cinnamon & honey (any combo works)
           my pick: 2% plain greek yogurt, walnuts, 1/2 banana, & cinnamon
Pumpkin puree with nuts, fruit (fresh, frozen or dried) 
           my pick: 1/2 pumpkin, 1/2 yogurt, shredded coconut, walnuts, and dried cranberries
Fruit (check out what's in season...berries, mango, pineapple, so many choices...)
           my pick: banana with almond butter. Find a store where you can grind your own almond butter. AMAZING
Trail mix - pick one without much added sugar (ie M&M's, "yogurt" raisins, etc) or make it yourself
           my pick: Made it up myself! Roasted almonds, shredded unsweetened coconut, and dark choc chips  

Refreshing green smoothie

Sweet drinks:
Shake it up!  Protein shakes are multitaskers
          my pick: 1 scoop MRM vanilla protein powder, spoonful PB, spoonful cocoa powder, 1/2 C milk, water 
Fruit/Veggie smoothie
          my pick: 1 scoop MRM vanilla protein powder, water, handful spinach and/or kale, 1/2 banana, frozen berries, ginger root, flax seeds, and spoonful of greek yogurt (optional, depending on your texture preference)

If one of those won't do the trick I try a homemade treat...

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Pineapple "donuts"

Homemade goodies:
Making something yourself is always better than buying from the store because you know what you put into it!

Dark chocolate covered...(insert your favorite fruit, nut, or nut butter)
          my pick: melt dark choc chips (at least 60%) with 1/2t coconut oil in microwave (30-60sec). Dip or cover your chosen treat in chocolate, set on foil/parchment paper & let cool in freezer until solid
My favorite Coconut Chocolate chip cookie recipe
No bake Coconut balls recipe
...and many more on my pinterest page


Bottom Line - if you are going to eat something, do it and don't feel bad about it. Ain't nobody got time for that!

Enjoy and feel free to share your thoughts. Comments encouraged!  

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