New TNT RD, Sandy, Shares Her Secret Energy Bites Recipe!
Straight from Sandy's kitchen, we had the pleasure of enjoying these delicious bites at our last Team Meeting. After gobbling them up, we begged Sandy to share the recipe with us! You won't regret making these goodies that count for only 1 Starch and 1 Fat per two "bites!"
Sandy's Energy Bites
Ingredients:
1 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup ground flax seed
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (I usually add less than 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup peanut butter (I use the all-natural)
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
1. Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix well. ( this gets sticky but I found that using my hands works best to mix everything, and I wear food service gloves)
2. Let mix chill for 1/2 hour in the refrigerator
3. Remove mix from refrigerator and shape into 1 inch balls ( they may be kept in the freezer or refrigerator for better storage)
Sandy was born in Chilton, Wisconsin. She
attended college at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where she
received her Bachelor of Science degree in Community-Medical
Nutrition/Dietetics. During her education she had the opportunity to complete
an internship rotation in both New York City, working with an integrative
dietitian, and State College working with a sports dietitian at Penn State
University. After graduation she went on to become a retail dietitian working
at Hy-Vee grocery stores in Moline, Illinois. Currently, she is pursuing her
Master’s degree in Integrative and Functional Nutrition from Saybrook
University. Sandy recently relocated to the Charlotte, North Carolina area
where she is excited to relay her love and knowledge for nutrition to her
clients. In her spare time Sandy enjoys running, cross fit, painting, reading,
and spending time with friends and family.
11 Kid-Friendly Activities for Healthy Kids All-Year-Round!
Especially during the holidays (and other breaks from school), it can be hard to keep the whole family active. We congregate in kitchens, bake (and sample) our favorite cookies, and watch our favorite movies. These habits are wonderful in their bond-forming ways, but there are additional ways to form bonds that instill healthy and active habits in our children of all ages. Here are just a few ideas from our team here at TNT:
1. Balloon Fun! This game is safe for supervised children ages 2 and up and the concept is simple: blow up a balloon (or ten) and make up games. Younger kids can simply play "keep it up" and the older kids can use the couch as a net to play balloon volleyball.
2. Box Toss! Put all of those extra cardboard boxes that the gifts came in to good use with this game designed for children 4 and up. Cut different shaped openings into the sides of a cardboard box. Then have kids throw their ball into the shape you call out. Make it a carnival theme, by painting a clown face on the box and, using the opening as a mouth, try "feeding" the clown!
3. Ping Pong Puff! Have some extra ping pong balls lying around? On a large table (or other flat surface), have kids (ages 4 and up) face-off against each other as they take turns trying to huff and puff and blow the ping pong ball past their opponent. No hands allowed, even for goalkeeping!
4. Treasure Hunt! Save one last gift for a fun game of hide n' seek. Some families go the distance and make clues for the scavenger hunt, and others choose the hot/cold method. Either way, this is fun for kids of all ages as they seek out that last gift for the holidays.
5. Hall Sweep! Place some cardboard boxes (one for each player, aged 6 and up) at the end of a long hall (can be hardwood or carpet), give each player a ball and a broom (for a tougher challenge, use wrapping paper tubes instead of a broom) and race to see who can sweep their ball into the box first!
6. Book Balance! You might remember this as etiquette punishment, but kids today can't get enough of this fun play on words. Set the time for one minute (or use an hourglass game timer), balance one book on each player's head. The last player balancing wins! Did more than one player make it the minute mark? Add another book and another minute! Still balancing? Make the players walk around the room! Safe for all ages, but likely that only kids over 6 will have the coordination to succeed.
7. Hopscotch! Using sidewalk chalk (outside) or painters tape (inside) draw out this classic childhood game. Use a rock or coin to see what square you'll skip. Fun for children as young as 2!
8. Ring a Rosy and Pick a Daisy! You might remember Ring Around the Rosy, but add this Pick a Daisy and you and the kids will be out of breath before you know it! Hold hands as usual, and while walking in a circle sing:
"Ring around the Rosy
A Pocket full of Posies
A tishoo, A tishoo
We all fall down!"
Then fall, BUT on this twist, do not stop holding hands. Then sing this little ditty to the same tune:
"Picking all the Daisies
The Daisies, The Daises,
Picking all the Daisies,
We all jump up!"On the last line, without letting go of each others hands, jump up as a group! Repeat until you all collapse in laughter!
9. Sardine! Hide and seek meets the 70's phone booth style fun in this fabulous family game made for ages 4 and up. Begin by choosing one person to be the sardine. While the remaining players count to 100, the sardine hides. Then each of the seeking players attempts to find the sardine. However, if you find the sardine, squeeze into the hiding place with them rather than announcing you found them! Once everyone is squeezed in like a can of sardines, the first person who found the sardine becomes the sardine in the next round! Keep going until everyone has had a turn to be the sardine.
10. Animal Charades! Fill a fish bowl (or other vessel) with the names (or pictures for younger kids) of different animals. Then take turns acting out the animals without making noises. The person who guesses correctly goes next. Keep going until all of the animals have been acted out!
11. Freeze Dance! All ages boogey down to any style tunes. One player stops the music randomly and all players must freeze in the position they're in! Anyone who moves before the music begins again is "out!"
On the 9th Day of Fitness...
Don't forget: to enter you need to post your progress with the #TNTGaveToMe after completing:
9. Read about THESE 9 Easy and Healthy Swaps! Then make one today!
8. Drink at least 8 cups of water today. Tips!
7. Plan out your next 7 days of meals! Get our TNT Menu & Activity Planner here.
6. Eat six times each today - breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack - spaced 3-4 hours apart.
5. Enjoy the rainbow today! Try to include 5 different colors. Here's how!
4. Having four foods on your plate at each meal.
3. Enjoying three servings of fruit.
2. Gobbling at least two servings of veggies.
1. Completing today's 15-Minute Workout.
Swaps are made easily when you track your exchanges rather than your calories. Try our TNT Food Log & Activity Journal FREE with any purchase (Today only)!
Day Eight
Day Seven
Day Six
Day Five
Day Four
Day Three
Day Two
Day One
9 Easy (& Healthy) Food Swaps
1. Need crunch with your lunch? Swap out those high salt, high fat potato chips for petite-cut carrots or celery sticks!
2. Love fruit, but already hit your exchanges for the day? Swap out that extra apple for fresh and crisp sliced jicama!
3. Making cookies this year? Alter the recipe a bit and swap out the oil or fat for unsweetened applesauce. You'll be amazed at how delicious this is!
4. Cutting back on cholesterol? Replace the egg in your pancake recipe with baking soda and vinegar! You'll love the fluffy, buttermilk texture without the added fat. Here are some other ways to go egg-less if needed.
5. Out to dinner and craving an app? Rather than choosing the wings and bleu cheese, go for a shrimp cocktail with cocktail sauce!
6. Boost your salad by swapping out half of your iceberg or romaine lettuce for spinach or other dark green. You'll still enjoy the crunch, but get a boost of antioxidants! Learn why antioxidants are so important.
7. Enjoying your hummus in the mid-afternoon? Keep it! But swap out those pita chips for red pepper slices! Our team has some more great snack ideas here.
8. Swap out that fancy sugary mocha frap for a homemade latte. Use almond milk for extra calcium and a slightly sweeter taste without the added calories of sugary flavor pumps. Try this homemade PSL.
9. Dinner starches can be tricky. Lean more towards your starchy veggies (that are packed with fiber, potassium and other micronutrients) by swapping out the rice or pasta for a baked potato or spaghetti squash. Learn more about why potassium could be your key to lowering blood pressure.
On the 8th Day of Fitness...
Don't forget: to enter you need to post your progress with the #TNTGaveToMe after completing:
8. Drink at least 8 cups of water today. Tips!
7. Plan out your next 7 days of meals! Get our TNT Menu & Activity Planner here.
6. Eat six times each today - breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack - spaced 3-4 hours apart.
5. Enjoy the rainbow today! Try to include 5 different colors. Here's how!
4. Having four foods on your plate at each meal.
3. Enjoying three servings of fruit.
2. Gobbling at least two servings of veggies.
1. Completing today's 15-Minute Workout.
Enjoy delicious tasting water without the addictive additives by scoring a FREE TNT Infuser Water Bottle with ANY purchase (Today ONLY)! Makes a great gift!!
Day Seven
Day Six
Day Five
Day Four
Day Three
Day Two
Day One
On the 7th Day of Fitness...
Don't forget: to enter you need to post your progress with the #TNTGaveToMe after completing:
7. Plan out your next 7 days of meals!
6. Eat six times each today - breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack - spaced 3-4 hours apart.
5. Enjoy the rainbow today! Try to include 5 different colors. Here's how!
4. Having four foods on your plate at each meal.
3. Enjoying three servings of fruit.
2. Gobbling at least two servings of veggies.
1. Completing today's 15-Minute Workout.
To help you plan we're giving away our TNT Menu & Activity Planner FREE with any purchase (today only!)!
Day Six
Day Five
Day Four
Day Three
Day Two
Day One
On the 6th Day of Fitness...
Don't forget: to enter you need to post your progress with the #TNTGaveToMe after completing:
6. Eat six times each today - breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack - spaced 3-4 hours apart.
5. Enjoy the rainbow today! Try to include 5 different colors. Here's how!
4. Having four foods on your plate at each meal.
3. Enjoying three servings of fruit.
2. Gobbling at least two servings of veggies.
1. Completing today's 15-Minute Workout.
To help you with all of those snacks and meals, download our eCookbook FREE with any online purchase of $50 or more! Today only!
Day Five
Day Four
Day Three
Day Two
Day One
On the 5th Day of Fitness...
Don't forget: to enter you need to post your progress with the #TNTGaveToMe after completing:
5. Enjoy the rainbow today! Try to include 5 different colors. Here's how!
4. Having four foods on your plate at each meal.
3. Enjoying three servings of fruit.
2. Gobbling at least two servings of veggies.
1. Completing today's 15-Minute Workout.
An extra antioxidant boost is available 50% off today only!! Click here!
Day Four
Day Three
Day Two
Day One
On the Fourth Day of Fitness...
Now we're on a roll!! Today, to enter you need to post your progress with the #TNTGaveToMe after completing:
4. Having four foods on your plate at each meal
3. Enjoying three servings of fruit.
2. Gobbling at least two servings of veggies.
1. Completing today's 12-Minute Workout.
Want more? How about HALF OFF your very own set of PortionMates?! (Enjoy 50% off one order of Portion Mates with any TNT Purchase today only).
Day Three
Day Two
Day One
On the Third Day of Fitness...
Wow! Things are really getting fun now! Today's challenge includes:
3. Have three servings of fruit today.
2. Enjoy at least two servings of vegetables today.
1. Complete today's 10-minute workout.
Oh and don't forget to grab your FREE Fruit Infuser Water Bottle (with any purchase of $10 or more, while supplies last) - TODAY ONLY!!
Then post your progress with #TNTGaveToMe for your 3rd entry to win the Grand Prize!
Day Two
Day One
On the Second Day of Fitness...
Today, make sure you add 2 servings of vegetables to your day, complete today's workout, and enjoy 50% OFF a bottle of TNT Antioxidants!! And don't forget to post your #TNTGaveToMe photos for another entry to win $50!!
Missed yesterday's? It's never too late!
On the First Day of Fitness...
Day One is a 10-Minute Workout and FREE Menu & Activity Planner with any online purchase!! Post your version on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using the #TNTGaveToMe and you'll be entered to win a $50 Gift Card!
Check back tomorrow for the next challenge and your next chance to win!!
Your FREE Healthy Holiday Challenge!
Are you up for a new take on the 12 Days of Fitness trend?
We're challenging you to complete each of 12 days of health and fitness challenges. Post pictures of how you complete each one on Instagram or Twitter (or tag us on Facebook) and use the hashtag #TNTGave2Me and you'll be entered to win a $50 TNT Gift Card which can be used towards any item in our online store or any of our amazing programs!!
Check back soon for Day One!!
Two Infographics that Make Healthy Holidays a Breeze
Love the Holiday Season, but hate the overwhelming idea that you might get de-railed? Don't! You can still enjoy your friends, family, co-workers and even your favorite cookie swaps, with a few simple tips and ideas from your team here at Total Nutrition Technology. Don't forget to check back for our FREE Healthy Holiday Challenge, coming soon!
