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5 Best Post-Workout Snacks

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If there’s one thing we love more than a good workout, it’s a good post-workout snack! Lucky for you… Glen’s Garden Market (locations in the Dupont Circle and Shaw neighborhoods) has you covered when it comes to tasty, healthy and easy post-workout goodies!

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Check out some of our favorites next time you’re craving healthy and simple snacks after your MINT sweat session.

Chickpeatos

What they are: roasted chickpeas

Why we love them: They’re a protein-rich alternative to potato chips and the first products that Glen’s launched. They come in large and small snack packs, in the following flavors: cayenne rosemary, cinnamon toast, tomato basil. They also sell gluten-free crumbs made from chickpeas as a breadcrumb alternative – perfect for the holidays.

GoChews

What they are: organic snack bites

Why we love them: Started as “momme meals” by a woman wanting to cook healthy food for her pregnant friend. She realized that everyone wants healthy snacks and decided to make these with new-moms and athletes in mind. They come in bites, not bars, for portion control, in the following flavors: Turkish apricot, tart cherry, fig ginger sesame.

Truly You

What they are: kale chips

Why we love them: A light snack, both flavorful and crunchy. These are new and just launched 1 month ago! Healthy potato chip alternative. Flavors include Creamy Onion and Spicy Chipotle.

BrightGreens

What they are: smoothie cubes

Why we love them: You can just put them in hot water and shake them up or put them in a smoothie. They’re nutrient dense and flavor filled. Many delicious flavor combinations including Mintergreen, Bright Blueberry and Pineapple.

Fruit Cycle

What they are: apple chips & nut mixes

Why we love them: Fruit Cycle gives produce and women a second chance. They use gleaned products (fruit that would otherwise go to waste) and employ formerly incarcerated women.

 

Glen's Garden Market is a MINT community parter.
Glen’s Garden Market is a MINT community parter.

Healthy Snack Bar Recipe

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If you’re anything like me, I love to meal prep on the weekend (or have my boyfriend meal prep on the weekend) so that I have food prepared during the week to allow for more time for myself after work, and less overall stress during my week. When it comes to snack bars, sometimes it can be better and more fun to make your own to add your own personal twist, substitute sugar and additives for healthier options, and create bulk quantities. Healthy Snack BarThe following recipe is the perfect snack to take to work, school, the gym, on the go, etc. Below, you can find this delicious recipe, and don’t be afraid to switch it up!

 

Ingredients: (Makes 12 bars)

4 tbsp (¼ cup) peanut butter or nut butter of choice

¼ cup honey or brown rice syrup

½ tsp vanilla extract

3 cups puffed rice

¼ cup cashew nuts 

¼ cup pumpkin seeds

¼ cup dried cranberries

1 tablespoon sunflower seeds

3 tsp mixed black and white sesame seeds

 

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 300°F and line a 20cm square baking pan with baking paper. Ensure that the baking paper overhangs the sides so you can easily remove the snack bars from the pan.

 

  1. Place the peanut butter, honey and vanilla in a small saucepan over a low heat. Heat gently until the peanut butter has softened and the ingredients are well combined, stirring frequently.

 

  1. Meanwhile, place the puffed rice, cashew nuts, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds in a large bowl and until well combined.

 

  1. Pour over the peanut butter and honey mixture and mix until well combined and the rice mixture is completely coated with the peanut butter and honey mixture.

 

  1. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press down with the back of a spoon. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Remove the snack bars from the pan using the overhang of the baking paper and cut into 12 bars using a sharp knife.

 

  1. Wrap each bar individually in plastic film and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. These wrapped bars can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months, just thaw before enjoying!
Melanie Rubin is a Physical Therapist in DC and a group fitness instructor at MINT.
Melanie Rubin is a Physical Therapist in DC and a group fitness instructor at MINT.

9 Breakfasts That’ll Brighten Up Your Day

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Breakfast is an extremely important part of your day, so you want to make sure to get it in. But sometimes, it can get downright boring. Check out these nine options below to make yours a little more exciting.

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Guilt Free Cookies (Yum)

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If you’re anything like me, I have a sweet tooth that more often than not, needs to be filled. While I try to resist the temptation to by unhealthy or unwarranted snack foods, I am frequently craving something that gives me that dessert fix. And more than anything, I love cookies!
Because of this strong desire for a delicious snack, combined with my motivation to stay healthy, I went on the hunt for a guilt-free cookie recipe. After trying recipes from various websites, blogs, etc. and putting my own twist on them, I finally found a mix of ingredients that quenches my craving, while also leaving me without any regrets. The best thing about it is that you can get creative! Feel free to add in/out a variation of the following: nuts, chocolate chips, dried fruits, hemp/flax/chia seeds, etc. Below you will find the recipe to these delicious guilt free cookies – enjoy!

 

cookies

 

Ingredients
  • 1½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
  • ½ tsp. sea salt
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • ½ tsp. allspice
  • ½ – 1 cup add in ingredients (nuts, chocolate chips, dried fruit, etc)
  • 3 ripe bananas, mashed
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In one bowl, combine rolled oats, salt, cinnamon, allspice and add in ingredients, per your choice.
  2. In a smaller bowl, whisk together mashed bananas, Greek yogurt and vanilla extract until smooth and all lumps are gone. Pour over dry ingredients and mix well.
  3. Using a round cookie cutter (or shape with your hands), spoon mixture into the cutter pressing firmly then removing the cutter. Shape should keep form; do this until you have 20 cookies or you run out of batter. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 15 to 20 minutes and enjoy!
Melanie Rubin is a Physical Therapist in DC and a group fitness instructor at MINT.
Melanie Rubin is a Physical Therapist in DC and a group fitness instructor at MINT.