"TOASTING in the New Year!"

Hey everyone...hope your week is going well. Recently, while shopping I heard a couple of ladies talking about their New Year's Resolutions. Honestly, I had to laugh. We all look different but we all have the same values and ideas....be kind...workout....family time, etc. Mine was a bit different this year because I actually started eating Healthy-R last October....note...not by choice. This past Holiday season was my first ever "Meat-less dinners"....we decided to cut meat out to help with digestion issues and inflammation in joints, & hopefully all over improvement :-) At first, it was a shocker due to I'm a "meat and potatoes gal" but now I'm not missing it at all and down 10 pds. One thing that I will say I've gotten addicted to "Toasting my nuts", especially Almonds. Toasting or roasting enhances the natural oils in the nuts which improves the overall tastes of the nuts. I never realized how much flavor and how easy it is when adding to your favorite recipes.
I prefer "toasting" due to usually doing small amounts at a time per recipe. I will "roast" when doing small amounts when baking or larger amounts and store in airtight container in fridge and add to salads, oils etc. Seriously you can't go wrong....a few minutes of your time is very rewarding. Needless to say the aroma is wonderful. You will find when I blog, I don't post nutritional value and why I state "Healthy-R"....I'm not a nutritionists so I don't feel it's correct for me to state the nutritional value in the recipes. My recipes and products are what I've found that works great for me and I always say check with your doctor before starting any nutritional change in your diet. Also, email me any great tips you have to share as well.
 Below is some tips for toasting and my "Healthy-R" energy bites....warning they are addicting :-)

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email....cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
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"Toasting Tips"...
*Toast nuts before chopping
* Heat in a dry skillet over medium heat...1-2 minutes until golden brown, stirring frequently to prevent burning and even cooking.
*Remove...let cool....use right away or store in air-tight container (preferably glass) and keep in refrigerator to keep freshness longer.
*Store in refrigerator 1-2 weeks or freezer container up to 3 mos.
*Label & date :-)
*If you are watching your salt intake (like me) purchase farm fresh nuts if possible or unsalted.
*Recently I've discovered on the back of nut bags you sometimes see "may have come in contact with other nuts while processing"....just be careful if you have nut allergies but love this is stated!

 "Cats Energy Bites"

Here's all you need...
1-14 oz. can Fat Free sweetened condensed milk
1 c. smooth peanut butter (healthy brand is better)
1 3/4 - 2 c. quick cooking oats
1/2 c. 50 % less sugar dried cranberries
1/2 c. "toasted' sliced almonds (addicted to and used Nature's Eats products)
pinch of salt (optional)
tsp. of butter

Here's all you do...
Melt butter in non-stick pan with sweetened condensed milk ....stirring constantly until sides pull away from sides of pan.
Remove from heat and add peanut butter then fold in oats & cranberries until all incorporated.
Let cool (in a rush transfer to a bowl and put in fridge for about 10 minutes)
Drop by spoonful on parchment paper and then roll into balls
Tip....I like to place in tiny foil liners....makes it easy to eat plus kinda cute-c if giving as a gift :-)
Enjoy!