0 Sweetly Stuffed Celery!

This is a refreshing way to have a Laraball, get some extra veggies, and cool off on a hot spring day!

Most flavors of Laraballs (or sweet balls, as some call them!) will work.
Except, and I never thought I would say this,
but I can't see chocolate tasting great with celery!



PB&J Poppers, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough, and Cashew Cookie work especially well.

Here I used Cinnamon Cranberry Confections, yum!

1/3 c walnuts
1/4 c almonds
1/3 c raisins (make sure there isn't any added sugar!)
1/8 c dried cranberries
1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1/4 tsp salt

Blend above ingredients all together in a food processor, fill your celery slices,
chill for a bit (optional), and enjoy!

 

OTHER great ways to enjoy Laraballs!

Apple Brownie Sandwich

Strawberry Brownies = 4 strawberries + Brownie Bites (post coming soon!)

Best Banana Bites

Detail: Sweetly Stuffed Celery!

0 Old-Fashioned, Crunchy Potato Salad

Homemade, nutritious, and crunchy!


Compared to most potato salad, there is EXTRA protein, vitamin A, fiber, and monounsaturated fat (this is a HEALTHY FAT!)!!

Imagine with MORE pepper (if you like pepper like me!)!

Old-Fashioned, Crunchy Potato Salad

4 lb potatoes, boiled (~25 min), cooled, and chopped in large pieces
1 lb carrots, thinly sliced
1 head of celery, chopped
1 c Greek yogurt
1 c mayonnaise
1/2 c canola oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

Combine, chill, and enjoy!

I recommend including potato peels, carrot peels, and celery leaves.  This adds fiber, some nutrition, and best of all -- saves TIME!

HAPPY PICNICKING!!

Detail: Old-Fashioned, Crunchy Potato Salad

0 Cranberry Pesto Pasta Salad

After devouring the leftovers that my mom shared with me,
from a delightful lunch she'd just been to, I created THIS recipe!



Mine is certainly a much healthier pasta salad, and still very tasty!

Cranberry Pesto Pasta Salad

2 c celery, chopped (most of a bunch of celery), include the leaves in the middle!

5 mozzarella cheese sticks, chopped into little coins

1 red apple, chopped

1 c walnuts, broken up pieces or whole

1/2 c freeze dried cranberries, unsweetened (Whole Foods carries), OR 1/4 c Craisins (I prefer less because of the sugar), OR while I haven't, you could try fresh! 

1 jar pesto (or this EASY HOMEMADE PESTO!)

1 box pasta, whole wheat, prepared

While pasta is cooking, chop other ingredients.

Drain pasta and mix in all ingredients.

Chill for a while, and enjoy!

This salad is great for hot days, picnics, and parties!
It is also surprisingly yummy when quickly heated in the microwave :)

BONUS TIP #1: avoid rinsing cooked pasta to retain vitamins which are otherwise washed away!

BONUS TIP #2: re-heat only as much food as you think you'll need, since foods should only be reheated ONE TIME (FOOD SAFETY!).  Single serving dishes are also great because they heat through quickly.  

For more on FOOD SAFETY click on either of the links Some Like It Hot! or We Gotta Chill!

COMING SOON: Benefits of Cranberries

Detail: Cranberry Pesto Pasta Salad