A lot of people think about pumpkin seeds when it comes to roasting the seeds of squash. Roasted kabocha squash seeds are a great alternative to pumpkin seeds and make use of an under-appreciated fall ingredient: kabocha squash. Since you have to hollow out the squash and remove the stringy parts and seeds before you cook the squash, you should save them and make this recipe. To make them, start by scooping out the seeds from a fresh kabocha squash and removing any stringy flesh. Make sure to rinse the seeds thoroughly to clean off any remaining squash. Once clean, pat them dry with a towel because they will not crisp up nicely if you roast them while they are still damp.

Once dry, scatter the seeds, which you’ll season liberally, across a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You don’t have to use parchment paper, but it makes for an easier clean up process. Roast them in a preheated oven at around 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and become crunchy. Be sure to toss the seeds halfway through the cooking process in order to ensure even roasting. Once they are nice and crispy, let them cool slightly before enjoying. You can also store them in an airtight container for about 5 days before tossing them out.

Kabocha squash seeds are a rich source of healthy fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3s work to support brain and heart health. These seeds also contain a lot of fiber, which aids digestion and promotes feelings of fullness. Additionally, kabocha squash seeds are high in magnesium, zinc, and antioxidants like vitamin E, which can help enhance immune function, improve skin health, and reduce inflammation.

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Get the ingredients and ready your food processor because homemade energy bites are as easy as one, two, three. An easy-to-make snack that is rich in protein, fiber, healthy fats, and free of preservatives and added sugars? How many times can we say yes? When you need a boost of energy and want to enjoy something that is wholesome, nutrient-dense, and delicious, turn to these chocolate hemp and pumpkin seed energy bites. They take less than 10 minutes to process and then another few minutes to form into balls. Freeze them until firm and then enjoy!

You will need raw pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts, chia seeds, raw cacao powder, Medjool dates, raw sunflower seed butter, alcohol-free vanilla extract, and grade A maple syrup. Once you gather your ingredients, ready the food processor fitted with the ‘S’ blade. You will first have to process the pumpkin seeds with the hemp hearts. Once that becomes a crumbly mixture, add the chia seeds, dates, vanilla, sea salt, sunflower seed butter, and maple syrup to the processor. Pulse until that mixture is a dough-like consistency. It will almost turn into a ball in the food processor. Just make sure to stop blending, scrape down the sides, and continue blending in order to fully incorporate all of the ingredients.

Due to the fact that these energy bites have sunflower seeds, hemp hearts, chia seeds, and sunflower seed butter, they are not lacking in healthy fats, protein, or fiber. That makes them great for enjoying when you want something to hold you over between meals. They are also great to enjoy pre- or post-workout, as the nutrients in them aid both muscle performance and recovery.

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Who needs Larabars when you can easily make your own with three simple ingredients? These are perfect if you have been looking to enjoy healthy snack options during your cleanse. They provide outstanding flavor and lots of fiber, healthy fats, and protein, all of which help keep you full between meals. The dates and cashews establish a great balance of nuttiness and sweetness, and the pinch of sea salt gives the bars a little extra pizzazz. It’s almost like a pinch of sea salt on a chocolate chip cookie or delectable caramel. You truly can’t go wrong with a pinch of sea salt in sweet treats.

For this recipe you will need Medjool dates, raw cashews, and sea salt. Dates are naturally sweet and sticky, providing the base for these bars. Make sure your dates are soft and fresh. Need assistance blending? Soak the dates in warm water for about 15 minutes prior to blending them in the food processor. Raw cashews also blend a little easier if you soak them for an hour or so. Just make sure that you discard the soaking water for both the dates and cashews if you decide to soak them. Not a fan of cashews? You can swap them for any raw nut in the same amount. Walnuts, pecans, pistachios, and more work great!

After you blend the ingredients and achieve a sticky, dough-like consistency, you will transfer the mixture to an 8″x8″ baking pan lined with parchment paper. Press the mixture into the pan until you have an even layer that is about 1/2-inch or so thick. Freeze for 30 minutes and then remove from the freezer. That will ensure that the bars are somewhat solidified to the point where you can cut them into 10 bars. Separate them and consider wrapping them individually in plastic wrap. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

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If there is a seasonal squash you should try during the fall, it is the kabocha squash. It looks like a squatty green pumpkin that has a bright orange flesh. Kabocha squash has a sweeter flavor, similar to butternut squash, and can absorb a variety of flavors. It goes great in soups and stews, but it is classically fried in tempura batter and served with a vegetable medley in Japanese cuisine. That’s not all it can do, though, as this recipe shows how you can transform the squash into crispy, spiced dehydrated chips. The chips deliver in the crispy category and have a robust flavor that keeps you coming back for more. And unlike packaged chips you buy in the store, you can eat these guilt-free.

Kabocha squash, much like sweet potatoes, is a great source of beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A. A 2/3 cup serving of kabocha squash provides the following nutrient content:

• Calories: 30
• Fat: 0 grams (g)
• Fiber: 1.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 8.2 g
• Protein: 1.1 g
• Vitamin C: 9 milligrams (mg)
• Beta-carotene: 1,782 micrograms (mcg)

In order to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and promote optimal vision, the body needs vitamin A. Vitamin C may also help slow the progression of AMD, and people who consume a lot of vitamin C have a lower risk of cataracts. Some research indicates that beta-carotene, which is present in kabocha squash, may help prevent some cancers when consumed through food and not as a supplement. More studies are necessary in humans to confirm kabocha squash’s cancer-preventative properties. For now, enjoy the chips and you may benefit you eye health, immune function, and more.

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When you are in need of a snack to fill you up, don’t reach for the bag of chips or package of cookies. Do those unhealthy snacks taste good and satisfy your sweet or salty craving? Yes, without a doubt, but they do not satiate you. In fact, they keep you coming back or wanting more, despite how much you ate. That’s why we love energy bites! They are made with a handful of healthy ingredients that provide healthy fats, fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals.

This recipe calls for hemp hearts, ground flaxseed, sesame seeds, and raw sunflower seed butter, among a few other ingredients. Those specific ingredients offer lots of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, complete protein, zinc, selenium, and other micronutrients integral to your overall health. The three primary ingredients that offer some of the best nutrients and health benefits are:

• Hemp hearts: These tiny cream and green-colored seeds are the soft, inner part of hemp seeds. The plant originated in Central Asia, although it can be found nationwide these days. Hemp hearts are naturally rich in both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, offering more than in chia seeds or flax seeds.
• Raw sunflower seed butter: Harness the power of the sunflower, just in creamy, delicious butter form. Sunflower seed butter is both gluten-free and nut-free, making it an allergy-friendly spread. It is also one of the best sources of vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that helps fight inflammation. Two tablespoons provides nearly 40% of the recommended daily intake.
• Ground flaxseed: Most nutritional experts recommend ground over whole flaxseed because the ground version is easier to digest. Flaxseed is commonly used to improve digestive health and relieve constipation, but it may also reduce total cholesterol levels, which can reduce the risk of heart disease.

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There is something so satisfying about replacing an item you buy in the store with an even better homemade version. French fries, a loaf of bread, and these root veggie chips are just some examples of things you can make better, and healthier, than the ones you find in stores. Not only does it feel good to make your own chips, but it also means that you get to enjoy more nutrients. Researchers note that root vegetables help to boost serotonin (the feel good hormone) levels. Top off that crunchy goodness with a satisfying and luxurious spiced tahini sauce and you are ready to snack.

The hardest thing about this recipe is making sure that the chips are evenly sliced. That is why we encourage you to use a mandolin slicer on the 1/16-inch setting. You just have to be careful when you start slicing, as the mandolin blade is very sharp. Some mandolins come with protective devices that shield your fingers. If you just have the simple one with that feature, just mind your fingertips when you get close to the end of the potatoes and beets.

Regarding the root vegetables, you can choose ones that you enjoy, if you do not like the yam, white sweet potato, and beets in this recipe. Other great options include Yukon Gold potatoes, rutabaga, turnips, radishes, parsnips, or celery root. As long as these root vegetables are sliced uniformly thin, they will cook evenly. Some root vegetables may have a higher water content then others, so feel free to pat them dry prior to baking them.

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Fall means changing leaves, brisk weather, and lots and lots of pumpkin. Pumpkin is synonymous with fall these days, primarily because of the pumpkin spice latte craze. We are not interested in providing you with recipes that contain over 40 grams of sugar and 500 calories in just one serving. This recipe is a major departure from the classic coffee shop pumpkin spice latte. It involves 100% pure canned pumpkin puree, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, 100% pure unsweetened applesauce, and maple syrup. That’s because we don’t have time for added sweeteners and excess calories!

Do you remember eating fruit leather as a child? You are probably familiar with the chemically-dyed and artificially flavored sugary fruit gummies. To group those processed, sugary items with real fruit leather is quite insulting, primarily because the fruit is almost non-existent. This recipe uses real fruit, which you blend together and then spread evenly onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The parchment paper is key, folks, because that will allow for easy removal from the pan. The last thing you want is for your fruit leather to get stuck to your baking sheet.

As a quick note, fruit leather does take a few hours to bake (roughly three to four hours). We want to prepare you for that cook time, so you don’t start making this recipe at 8 p.m. What you can do is bake it around 5 p.m.and then allow it to cool overnight before removing it from the parchment paper. Once it cools, you can slice the “leather” into strips and roll each strip up. You can also tear it into pieces, cube it, or enjoy it however you please.

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We aren’t late to the party; rather, we were just waiting until the Fall Equinox before posting a pumpkin spice recipe. We can officially say that it is pumpkin spice season, which means warm fall flavors with colder weather on the horizon. While pumpkin spice lattes are not for everyone, the pumpkin spice flavor itself is highly versatile. It lends itself to a variety of sweet treats, smoothies, beverages, and more. In fact, it makes for a great addition to energy balls made with nuts and dates.

Do dates sweeten the energy bites? Yes, they do, but they also pack a lot of protein and fiber, two things that help you sustain energy and keep you full between meals. They also help bind all of the ingredients together. Dates are not the only energy-boosting ingredient in these balls. The raw almonds and chia seeds provide healthy fats, protein, fiber, and other macro and micro nutrients. Together, the almonds, dates, and chia seeds create the base, but the fun comes when you add the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.

Should you want a nut-free version, you can replace the almonds with pumpkin or sunflower seeds. Additionally, you have the option to roll the energy balls in raw cacao powder or desiccated coconut, but that may yield a different flavor. The cacao powder will add a bitter element, which some people prefer because it balances the natural sweetness of the dates. We hope you enjoy this first taste of fall because many more pumpkin spice recipes will follow suit. Be on the lookout for all things pumpkin spice and everything nice.

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We are back with yet another energy ball recipe, only this time it is for vegans because it has oats. The oats not only act as a binding agent, just like the dates, but they also help to fill you up. They are naturally rich in protein, fiber, healthy fats, iron, zinc, and other vitamins and minerals. Oats are one of the best sources of beta-glucans, a soluble fiber that may help lower cholesterol, especially bad LDL cholesterol. That soluble fiber also slows digestion, increases feelings of fullness, and may increase bile acid production. It may also help to reduce blood sugar and insulin after a carb-heavy meal.

This recipe is just another way to show you that snacking can be healthy. You just have to use the right ingredients that provide valuable nutrition and sustenance. The problem with many store bought snacks, such as chips, cookies, or other packaged goods, is that they do not fill you up. You can eat an entire bag of chips and still feel hungry, but that is also because they contain ingredients that keep you coming back for more. These raspberry energy balls are completely sugar- and gluten-free, making them a great snack to power you up between meals.

From this recipe, you should get about 20 balls, but it depends how big you make them. Ideally, roll them into about the size of a tablespoon or smaller. When you place them on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper, make sure to space them out in order to prevent them from sticking together. After freezing them for about 30 minutes, remove them and roll in the desiccated coconut before placing them back in the freezer to harden. Enjoy when ready!

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If you’ve been craving a fruity twist on your favorite dish, you clicked on the right recipe. It isn’t the New York slice you were hoping for, but it is an unusually delicious rendition, and perfect for summer too. Enjoy it as a unique appetizer, snack, or even a dessert. Not only is it a great party pleaser at a summertime get together, but it is also perfect for impressing friends and family. It hits all the high notes and refreshes the palate with ease!

Why should you eat a watermelon pizza? Not only is it a home run of flavor, but it is also a great way to surprise your friends and family with something fun and new. It is very easy to make, with the “crust” being slices of crisp, juicy watermelon. Your toppings are the various fruit that you either decide to purchase or have in your kitchen already. The recipe lists specific fruits, but you can use other varieties if you have them. Grapes, cherries, peaches, nectarines, dragon fruit, and apricot all make for great “pizza” toppings. Get a little creative with it and add some fresh basil or mint as well.

The easiest way to get an even “crust” is to slice a big watermelon into one-inch-thick rounds. Then you end up with circular pieces that have the rind on them. Cut those discs into four or six pieces and then you can use the rind as a supportive grip, like you would on a real pizza. The last thing we’ll say about this watermelon pizza is that you cannot freeze it, unfortunately. The watermelon and the “toppings” will get mush after you thaw the frozen pizza. Don’t want to waste food? Make one or two pizzas at a time so that nothing goes to waste. Trust us when we tell you that this will not go to waste if you have company because they’ll love it!

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