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Posted on November 24, 2019 by healthbyhayl

Yield: Roughly 4 cups

Ingredients:

3 cups oats

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

3 Tbsp poppy-seeds

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup pistachios, chopped

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

Zest + Juice of 2 oranges

Pinch of salt

1/4 cup dried apricots

1/4 cup dried cherries

 

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together oats, flaxseed, poppy-seeds, cinnamon and pistachios.
  3. In a small pot, heat maple syrup, vanilla, zest, juice and salt on low heat until simmering. Let this mixture bubble for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Pour maple syrup mixture over the dry ingredients and toss until fully coated.
  5. Evenly spread the mixture onto a sheet pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Once the granola is out of the oven, sprinkle with dried fruits and stir to combine. Let the granola fully cool before breaking into pieces and storing in an airtight container.

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Posted on November 18, 2019 by healthbyhayl

These are your new favorite travel snack, perfect for throwing in your hiking backpack or your bag for a quick snack at work.

 

Yield: 18-20 bars

Ingredients:

3 cups mixed nuts/seeds (cashews, almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pistachios, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, macadamia nuts- whatever you have on hand!)

1 cup assorted dried fruit (cranberries, cherries, blueberries, apricots)

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

3/4 cup honey

 

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl, stir together the assorted nuts, dried fruit, cinnamon and vanilla.
  2. In a small pot, bring honey to a boil over medium-low heat. Stir constantly and boil for 5-8 minutes.
  3. Pour hot honey mixture over nuts and fruit, toss to coat evenly.
  4. Pour the mixture onto a large sheet pan and press into an even layer. Let sit for 30 minutes- 1 hour or until set. Cut into small chunks.

 

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Posted on November 18, 2019 by healthbyhayl

Another favorite that’s always packed in my freezer! These bars are perfect for a little sweet treat, but also keep you satisfied!

 

Yield: 12-16 bars
Ingredients:

1 cup creamy peanut butter (can sub any nut butter- almond, cashew, sunflower seed)

1/3 cup honey

1/2 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut

1 1/2 cup almond flour

1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted

Flaky sea salt, optional

 

Directions:

  1. In a bowl, mix together peanut butter, honey, coconut and almond flour until a dough begins to form.
  2. Press dough into an 8×8 pan in an even layer. Freeze for 20-30 minutes until set.
  3. Pour melted chocolate over the bars, coating evenly. Sprinkle with sea salt if desired. Freeze for 30 minutes- 1 hour before cutting into small squares.

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Posted on November 18, 2019 by healthbyhayl

If you know me, you know that Perfect Bars are my favorite on-the-go energy bar. They’re made with real, wholesome ingredients and are found in the refrigerator section of the grocery store. Try my homemade version to save some $ and switch up flavors as you like!

 

Yield: 8-12 bars

Ingredients:

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup honey

1 1/2 cup almond flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

 

Directions:

  1. In a small bowl, stir together all ingredients until a dough begins to form.
  2. In an 8×8 or 9×9 pan, press the dough into an even layer. Freeze for 30 minutes- 1 hour or until firm and set.
  3. Cut into even bars and keep in an airtight container in the freezer.

 

 

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Posted on November 18, 2019 by healthbyhayl

A quick & easy 20-minute meal filled with nourishing ingredients. Perfect for a last minute Thanksgiving side dish or a speedy weeknight meal!

 

Yield: 3-4 servings

Ingredients:

1 pound sweet potatoes, diced

3 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 pound brussels sprouts, thinly sliced (you can buy these pre-cut in the salad section of the grocery store)

2 Tbsp maple syrup

1 Tbsp mustard

1/4 cup dried cranberries

2 Tbsp sunflower seeds

Salt & Pepper, to taste

 

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Arrange diced sweet potatoes on a prepared baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle cinnamon and toss the potatoes to evenly coat. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned and tender.
  2. In a large skillet, saute brussels sprouts in the maple syrup and mustard. Cook on medium-high heat for 5-8 minutes or until brussels sprouts are tender.
  3. Add in the diced sweet potato pieces, dried cranberries and sunflower seeds. Heat on low for 3-5 minutes until fully combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately!

 

 

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Posted on March 24, 2019 by healthbyhayl

This sweet treat is perfect for stashing in the freezer! So simple and only 4 ingredients!

Yield: 6-8 (1 date) servings

Ingredients

6-8 dates, pitted

3-4 Tablespoons almond butter (sub peanut butter, cashew or sunflower seed butter)

1/4 cup dark chocolate chips, melted  (I add some coconut oil to give them some shine!)

Sea salt, optional

Directions

  1. Open dates and stuff each with 1/2 Tablespoon of nut butter, place on a parchment lined sheet pan and freeze for 30 minutes.
  2. Once frozen, dip or drizzle each date with melted chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt.
  3. Freeze again for 20-30 minutes and enjoy!

Keep in an airtight container in the freezer for snack time!

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Posted on February 25, 2019 by healthbyhayl

A mom-approved, favorite recipe! Perfect for any occasion (or every occasion!)

Yield 18-20 cookies

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

2/3 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

4 teaspoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

 

For the Frosting:

4 Tablespoons butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoon almond extract (the secret ingredient!)

1-2 teaspoons milk

 

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl (or a stand mixer), cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the egg, milk and extracts. Blend in the flour, baking powder and salt, mixing until well combined.
  3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
  4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/8 of an inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut dough into shapes. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.
  5. Cool cookies completely before frosting.
  6. For the frosting: Cream all ingredients together until smooth.
  7. Use a butter knife or tilted spatula to frost cookies and decorate to your liking!

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Posted on October 10, 2018 by healthbyhayl

Yield: 1-2 cups

 

Ingredients:

4 apples, cored and cubed (any kind works! use your favorite)

1 cup water

1/2 tsp each: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg

2-3 Tablespoons maple syrup (honey also works, sweeten to your taste)

 

Directions:

  1. In a sauce pot, combine all ingredients and stir until incorporated.
  2. Cook over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Once apples are softened and somewhat broken down, place the sauce into a blender.
  4. Blend on high for 1-2 minutes or until completely smooth.
  5. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

 

 

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Posted on August 10, 2018 by healthbyhayl

Yield: 10-12 cookies

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted

1 egg

4 tablespoons maple syrup (sub: honey, agave)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups almond flour

1/2 cup chocolate chips

 

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a bowl, mix the coconut oil, egg, maple syrup, vanilla and salt until well combined.
  3. Add in the baking soda and almond flour and mix until a dough forms.
  4. Fold in chocolate chips.
  5. Scoop onto a cookie tray (I used a decent sized ice cream scoop) about 1 inch apart and bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
  6. Cool on a wire rack and enjoy!

The cookies should still be a little gooey when coming out of the oven. If you are using a smaller 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, bake for 7-9 minutes instead.

 

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Posted on May 9, 2018 by healthbyhayl

These easy bites are full of nutrients and great for taking on-the-go to have long lasting energy all day! The peanut butter, ground flax seeds and chia seeds provide essential fatty acids, fiber and protein that keep you satisfied in between meals.

Yield: about 12 balls

Ingredients

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter (sub almond butter, cashew or sunflower seed butter)

1/3 cup maple syrup or honey

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup ground flaxseeds (*Fun Fact: our bodies can only process flaxseeds when ground, not whole!)

1/4 cup chia seeds

1 cup oats

1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

 

Directions

  1. In a microwave safe bowl, mix the peanut butter and honey. Microwave for 1 minute or until peanut butter is melted and ingredients are fully incorporated.
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix to combine. A dough should start to form.
  3. Scoop the balls (about 1 Tablespoon each), roll and place on a baking sheet.
  4. Freeze for 30 minutes before eating. These are best when stored in fridge/freezer.

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