Healthy Snack Ideas

Update: Khaya Cookies are running an online special. You can purchase any three boxes of Khaya Cookies for $15. and the shipping is free when you use the code, “Quest” at checkout. You are then automatically entered to win any of the prizes at QuestforCapetown.com.

Let’s begin by my confessing that I am a cookie lover, but I am also a baker who’s famous in my circle of friends for my tasty cookie treats, so cookies are a product that I don’t normally purchase on my weekly grocery runs. I often admittedly get into a baking rut and make the same recipe over and over, which tends to bore my children. But then we tried some Khaya cookies, and got a taste for the exotic ingredients and the subtle flavors in these yummy cookies and now we will be expanding our cookie horizons to include these fabulous treats.

Khaya’s gourmet cookies are made from the freshest ingredients in the winelands of South Africa using indigenous ingredients with no preservatives, no additives and no trans fats.

The box holds the cookies, which are sealed in a plastic bag that has a re-sealable sticker just in case you don’t eat them all in one sitting.

But the thing that appeals to me is the company’s social mission. They are committed to using natural ingredients to make these cookies by hand. They hire previously unemployed local men and women and train them to become skilled bakers, but they also teach them life skills such as budgeting and debt management. So, while you are enjoying these delicious cookies you can be confident that you are helping to support people who are improving the lives of the members of their community.

Here are the five different flavors that I tried:

Orange & Chocolate Krunchi
These are one inch granola bar squares with bits of Belgian chocolate, orange zest and a light honey flavor. These cookies have a rich, dense texture from the granola. The honey also serves to soften the texture while it adds a distinctive flavor.

Cranberry Rooibos Shortbread
The bright, tart, sweet flavor of cranberry adds a spark of flavor to these shortbread squares. They also contain Rooibos, an herb indigenous to South Africa which is naturally rich in antioxidants and other health benefits. The Rooibos adds a subtle, earthy undertone to the flavor of the cookie, which also has a buttery, flaky, salty sweet flavor.

Grapeseed Shortbread
These cookies also come in 3/4″ tiny squares but they pack a delghtful flavor and texture. The currents are chopped fine and they add a surprising burst of flavor and texture to these buttery, light and crispy confections. The finish on these is a little grainy, which I suspect is from the grapeseed.

Granola Fruit Krunchi
These had the most exotic flavor to me. The combination of the dried apricots, and dates and honey gives it a rich, deep complex flavor. The texture is firm but not dry and they taste like a hearty, wholesome granola bar with an international flair.

Orange Rooibos Shortbread
These cookies come in small, 3/4″ squares. They have a classic shortbread texture–which is crispy and crunchy, but not at all dry. These buttery cookies have a nice light flavor which allows the fresh orangy-citrusy flavor to shine through. The salty-sweet component

While these healthy snack treats are made with all natural ingredients, they are not a low calorie snack. Each nutrition label clearly lists the allergens each product contains, and the fact that they are manufactured in a a factory that uses tree nuts and peanuts.

I liked all of the five flavors, but I must confess that the Orange Rooibos Shortbread was my hands-down favorite with the Orange & Chocolate Krunchi coming in at a close second. I would serve these with tea or at a festive event on a dessert tray. They would also make a delicious addition to a gift basket.

Khaya’s Cookies are available for $5.75 per 4.6 oz box at: Peet’s Coffee and Tea Stores, online at their web site: khayacookies.com and in a few retail locations, which you can find listings of on their web site.

Here’s another easy, light and healthy snack recipe. You can eat them as they are, or use them as a base for mini-appetizers for entertaining. Try a sweet version as an alternative to these savory ones by substituting cinnamon, nutmeg and honey for the dried herbs.

Herb Seasoned Rice Cakes
Yield: 4 servings

24 Unsalted mini rice cakes
1/4 cup Softened cream cheese
1/4 cup low fat sour cream (or plain, low fat yogurt)
1 tsp minced onion
1/4 tsp dried tarragon leaves
1/4 tsp Dried rosemary leaves
1/4 ts Dried oregano leaves
1/4 tsp Garlic powder
1/8 ts Dried dill weed

Arrange the rice cakes on baking sheet. Mix remaining ingredients together and spread
them evenly on the rice cakes. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 3 to 5 minutes.

Healthy snacks can help you to stick with your weight loss plan because they will ensure that you are not starving all of the time. Eating frequent, small portions will help to keep your metabolism fired up and your blood sugar levels even making it less likely that you will feel tempted to make a poor food choice because you are weak from hunger.

Plan ahead and keep a supply of these snacks in your purse or bag, in your desk at work and in oyur cabinets at home. If you have a ready supply of good things to snack on, you won’t even think of grabbing a candy bar or a bag of chips.

Here are a few healthy snack ideas that you can enjoy while losing weight:

- Nuts such as Almonds, and walnuts. Cashews and peanuts have a lot of fat so keep these portions small.

-Seeds such as sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumkin seeds (unsalted)

-Low-fat yogurt or cottage. (Buy it plain and add a sprinkle of ground flax seeds for an Omega 3 fatty acid boost)

-Peanut butter; spread it on a cut up apple, whole grain crackers or just enjoy a spoonful by itself. Enjoy in moderation when dieting as it contains a lot of fat.

-Popcorn popped in an air popper with no butter added is an old standby healthy snack.

-Raw, cut up vegetables with a low or non-fat dressing dip

These are just a few healthy snack ideas that you can try when you are dieting. Make sure to keep these foods around so that when you are hungry you can make good food choices.