I'm a REAL snacker

I'm a girl that has got to eat - SNACKS included!!!  You may not want to be around me around 10:15ish or 3:00ish if I have not had my snack.  The "not so nice Amanda" appears and I am not friendly.  I'm a firm believer that snacking is good for you - REAL snacking that is.  If you are not hungry for snacks it probably means you have overindulged at your meal.

Here are a few of my favs:

 - Lara Bars

                   I used to be a Balance Bar, whatever protein bar I could find on sale, granola bar, etc. kind of snacker...but I've now switched over to Lara Bars.  These are probably not going to blow you away at first, I must admit they were not my favorite at first.   Whole Foods has the best selection that I've seen - the peanut butter & cashew ones are my favorites.  I did recently try the chocolate coconut one because that sounds delicious to me but I probably won't buy it again.  These bars have only 3-4 ingredients.  Give them a try (even a second try).  They seem to stay with you longer.

-  Apple/Grapefruit/Any fruit

                    An apple is always so filling to me.  If you have a small apple - add a little peanut butter.

-  Carrots with hummus or peanut butter (weird, I know)

                   I personally prefer to buy the organic whole carrots and peel them myself.  The other ones are slimy to me.  Carrots were an acquired taste for me.  As far as the hummus - either make your own or double check the ingredient list on the store bought ones...there are some out there without the extra added ingredients.

-  Air popped popcorn

                  NOT the convenient microwavable packaged kind with that nasty stuff caked on it.  I always make popcorn at the cabin because I have a Whirley Pop there (which I love and it makes the best popcorn).  I've also seen where you can make popcorn in a brown paper bag in the microwave using whole kernels.  I've recently found this popcorn at Trader Joes -

-  Almonds (or any kind of nut) and a hunk of cheese (Organic Valley - raw sharp cheddar)

                  People have questioned the fact of eating cheese and isn't cheese processed.  Here's 100 days of real food's answer - I choose to eat it!

http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/06/18/cheese-and-other-dairy-products-are-they-processed/

-  Trail Mix

                 Be careful if you buy this pre-packaged.  Just be sure to check the ingredient list.  I personally just find it easier to just throw some nuts and dried fruit in a ziploc and go.

-  Triscuits with peanut butter

                 My only problem here is sometimes I tend to go over the serving size:)

-  Red bell pepper strips with hummus

                Go ahead and have your bell pepper cut into strips so all you have to do is grab it out of the refrigerator.

-  Plain yogurt and a couple of tablespoons of homemade granola

-  Smoothie (more of a summer snack for me)

               1.5 cups plain organic yogurt
               1 cup frozen fruit
               2 bananas
               1 Tbl. milk
               1/2 - 3/4 cup spinach
               Add a little honey if you want it sweeter

               This makes about 4 - 8oz. cups.  Make a batch and freeze in cups so it is ready to go.  Take out of freezer in the morning so it can start thawing.

What are your go-to snacks?...I'm always looking for something different.