Merritt Clubs Blog

Dark Chocolate Chip Banana Bites

Posted by Heather Blake

Feb 19, 2014

4 Ripe Bananas

1 tsp Vanilla

½ tbsp. cinnamon

1 tbsp of pure honey (optional)

2 cups rolled oats

Dark chocolate chips

Chopped nuts, crasins, raisins (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Mash bananas in a medium bowl (some chunks are okay)

Add tsp vanilla

Add 1/2 tbsp of cinnamon

1 tbsp of pure honey

2 cups of quick rolled oats

Mix all of the above with the banana mush

Fold in a handful of dark chocolate chips

Optional: fold in some craisins, raisins, or chopped nuts!

Grease a cookie sheet with cooking spray

Drop the mixture with a spoon on the sheet

Bake in oven for about 15-20 minutes they should be firm on the outside and soft in the middle

Let cool on sheet for a few minutes before moving to cooling rack to cool completely

Store in airtight container

Bananas may cause them to go a darker brown and should be eaten within 3-5days.

Topics: quick and healthy, healthy, biggest loser club, Healthy Recipes, banana, oatmeal, sweet treat, dark chocolate, breakfast, healthy snacks, snack, nutrition, recipes for healthy breakfast

KNOWLEDGE IS YOUR WEAPON

Posted by Karen O'Donnell

Jan 31, 2012

In the world of “Eat This Not That” you may wonder why certain foods are less than healthy and can derail your efforts towards fat loss and better health. Often it’s not the food itself but rather the chemicals that are added to preserve the food or to make it taste better. One such ingredient is hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fat. Some common foods that often contain these types of fats include: margarine, most spreads, many cookies, crackers, ice cream, convenience foods, snack foods, and some breads, etc. Increased consumption of hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fats can lead to the following health issues:

*Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fats are difficult to digest and stay in the body for a long time

*Excess weight gain independent of excess calorie consumption

*Chronic inflammatory diseases and pain

*Increased LDL (bad cholesterol), decreased HDL (good cholesterol)

*Increased blood clotting and increased risk of coronary artery disease

*Increased development of autoimmune disease

*Increased risk of cancer

*Accelerated aging (increased skin wrinkling)

*Depressed milk fat production in nursing mothers

As much as possible eat organic, natural whole foods that are not processed. READ THE LABEL! Avoid breaded or deep-fried foods at restaurants and stay away from anything that contains hydrogenated fat, partially hydrogenated fat, or shortening. Arm yourself with knowledge about the foods that you eat and you will be one step closer to success at achieving your goals.

By Karen O'Donnell, Personal Trainer at Towson

Topics: Personal Training, weight loss fat loss, fat loss, healthy snack cravings, obesity and health, healthy snacks, get healthy, nutrition, eat this not that, health issues, healthy diets

Healthy Recipe of the Week - Fresh Mushroom and Parsley Salad

Posted by Juliet Ames

Oct 4, 2011

If you are like me, salad gets a little boring. Plain old lettuce can only take you so far. This salad by Giada De Laurentiis is a fun departure from a traditional salad and provide lots of beneficial nutrients like selenium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin D from all of those mushrooms.

Topics: Healthy Recipes, healthy snack cravings, healthy recipe of the week, healthy snacks, healthy dinner recipes, get healthy

Healthy Recipe of the Week - Roasted Chickpeas

Posted by Juliet Ames

Sep 14, 2011

Looking for a healthy, high protein, high fiber snack to help curb salty snack cravings? I have just the thing, roasted chickpeas. There are 1000 ways to make them, but here is my method.

Topics: Healthy Recipes, high fiber snack, recipes for healthy snacks, healthy snack cravings, healthy recipe of the week, healthy snacks, roasted chickpeas