Healthy Raw Pumpkin Seed Treats

Pumpkin Seed Treats

Pumpkin Seeds 

Well sometimes I feel a little nutty. Like the time I bought this 25 lb bag of pumpkin seeds. I had to kind of smile at myself. They will get eaten I promise. I do love pumpkin seeds. I mix a little bit of sunflower seeds with my pumpkin seeds and eat a handful or two every day. I love all the health benefits they have to offer. Here is some information I found about them.  I was intrigued recently to read about turning the pumpkin seeds into flour. I decided to give it a whirl.

First important information. Don't grind the pumpkin seeds in your grinder. At least mine got all jammed up. I was able to get it to work again but, I would not recommend it. :{  (My wheat grinder said not to grind oily seeds. I just took a chance. Not a good idea.) Grind them in a food processor or blender instead..

These were tasty little treats. When my picky  eater grandson eats one I know they must be Good. :) They are a great energy snack.

Ingredients:
1 1/4 C Pumpkin seed flour (I used raw unsalted)
2 T honey
2 T  melted coconut oil
1 C old fashioned oatmeal
1/4 C combination of whole sunflower seeds and pumpkin
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 T cocoa *optional
1/2 dark chocolate chips 

Directions: made about 8 to 10 
1. Blend together pumpkin flour, honey, oil.
2. Stir in the remaining ingredients. 
3. Form into balls and eat or store them in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Seeds and Nuts Bites

I am always looking for wonderful foods to have as snacks for my family and myself. I made these yesterday and loved them. There are a lot of variations of this kind of treat out there. This one is a great combination.. I loved adding a few pistachios to them.
Here is one closeup. I liked having them in little bite size pieces.

Ingredients:
2 C nuts cashews, almonds, walnuts, pistachios or ?
1 C sunflower and pumpkin seeds
1/4 C honey
1/4 tsp almond extract or vanilla
1 T coconut oil

Directions: heat oven to 300
1. Chop up the 2 C of nuts. You don't want to chop them too much.

2. Place nuts and seeds on cookie sheets so they are only a single layer. Place pans in the oven and toast the nuts and seeds about 10 min. or until lightly toasted.

3. Then in the mean time place a small sauce pan on the stove and heat up the honey and the extract. Until turns to liquid.

4. Take the toasted nuts out of the oven and put in a bowl or into the saucepan if it is large enough and stir until coated.

5. In a square glass Pyrex pan place parchment paper in the pan. (Or grease pan) Then pour in the mixture.

6. Place back in the oven until lightly golden about 10 min.

7. Let cool about 10 min. Then cut into small pieces. I place the whole piece in the fridge for a little while and then broke them into pieces. I store them in a fridge in a zip lock bag. You cold also wrap them in plastic.

*adapted from this recipe

Almond Oatmeal Jumjills

If you have followed my blog much you know I like different kind of power balls. These are some from the past that I have made. I think it is a great size for a snack, and it is loaded with healthy goodness. I like that they are filling and help me curb my hunger. The other thing that is wonderful is that I love eating nuts, so this is a wonderful way to them too. It is a great alternate to some other snacks out there.
Ingredients: Makes 10 balls depending on the size you make them.
1/4 C dates
1/4 C water
1 C almonds
1/8 C sunflower seeds
1/8 C pumpkin seeds
1/4 C old fashioned oatmeal
1/4 C shredded unsweetened coconut
1/4 C coconut oil
2 T sesame seeds
2 T chocolate chips (dark)
1/4 tsp almond extract or vanilla
1tsp cinnamon *optional


Directions:
1. In a small bowl pour in water and dates, and set aside.

2. In a blender mix all the other ingredients. I use my Bosch, and it chops it up just fine. If you don't have a powerful blender, or food processor you could mix it up in smaller groups of ingredients. Then you could mix it together. Then pour into a bowl.

3. Then blend the dates and water in a food processor or blender. Then pour into bowl with the other nut mixture. Form into balls. I then store them in my freezer or fridge in a zip lock bag, and they harden up. Then they are ready to eat when you are ready. :)

Other snacks: 1. Nuts and oats healthy snack
2. Almond cocoa balls
3. Almond Coconut treats

6 Grain Rolled Oats Granola Bars

I am always looking for new ways to use oatmeal and nuts. Some of my favorite things to eat. I have been looking for a better way to make granola bars. I really liked these. In fact a little too much. =)

They are great wrapped up, so you can pack them for lunches or snacks. They are already to grab.

Ingredients:

3/4 C honey
1/2 C coconut oil
1 1/2 to 2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 C sesame seeds
3 C 6 grain rolled oats or oatmeal
1 C almonds chopped
1/2 C pumpkin seeds
1/2 C unsweetened coconut
1/4 C ground flax seed
1 tsp almond extract :)
optional* choc. chips or dried fruit

Directions:

1. In a pot on the stove on med heat, pour in honey, oil and cinnamon. Stir until all combined for 5 min. (I wanted it to thicken) .

2. Then pour in the remaining ingredients. except for almond extract. Stir on med low for another 3-5 min.

3. Then put on cookie sheet covered with parchment paper or greased. Then press it down with a spatula. I put into the fridge to harden up.

4. Cut into granola size bars. Wrap in plastic. Store in the fridge till ready to eat! Yum!