Some quick, raw and vegan snack ideas

As I try to develop a more "raw" and unprocessed lifestyle, we've been getting creative in the kitchen with healthy and wholesome ingredients on hand. Here's a few fast and easy ideas for a pick me up snacks to help you stay away and get through the day easily without putting processed junk and crap into your body!

Sunflower bananas

Smear some naturally sweetened sunflower seed butter (I get mine at Trader Joe's) onto slices of a ripe banana and top with sunflower seeds for a sweet and wholesome treat.

Homemade Protein Bars

Lara bars are my favorite healthy protein bars, but eating them every day at a couple bucks each can sure add up. The best way to save money and stay healthy is to buy the ingredients in the bulk section of the supermarket and make your own! They come in assorted flavors such as chocolate peanut butter, cookie dough, cherry pie, blueberry lemon, etc. The best part about them is that they have very minimal amounts of ingredients. Their main ingredients are usually dates paired with a type of nut such as almonds or cashews. The dates provide the sweetness and hold the bar together while the nuts provide the protein. Additional raw ingredients can be added for desired flavors. You can experiment with making your own protein packed bars, or following some recipes on the link above. The creation of these bars is fairly easy- it just involves mixing together different nuts with dates in a food processor, refrigerating the mixture, and shaping it into individual bars (or rolling into balls) and wrapping with plastic cling wrap. Some ingredients to experiment with are dates, cashews, almonds, lemon juice, dried fruits (blueberries, cherries and raisins), coconut shreds, cacao nibs or powder (dark chocolate in it's most pure, raw and unsweetened form), vanilla extract, coffee beans, chocolate chips, peanut or almond butter, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and others. Get creative! 

Chocolate Mousse

An old favorite I posted last spring, it's quick and easy and surprisingly healthy for you. Literally just whipped avocado with some cacao powder and a little maple syrup or honey to sweeten- this is so rich you just might die.

Homemade hummus

This hummus we make at home is bangin'. Add some hot peppers, roasted peppers, spices, artichokes, spinach or whatever to give it some more flavor. Best part? It only takes 5 minutes to make.

Easy Guac

What's better than 5 minute hummus? 4 minute guacamole! Beside with chips, use as a dip for fresh veggies or just eat by the spoonful.

GOOD FOR YOU cookie dough

Feeling like a dip but wanting something "junky"? If you love raw cookie dough this recipe is definitely worth trying. With all the healthy benefits of eating hummus (chic peas are packed with protein) but the sweetness and overwhelming deliciousness of cookie dough, this snack is safe to eat, egg free