Creating Better Food For Your Family

When was the last time you made food for your family that everyone talked about for weeks? It isn't always easy to design menus and prepare food that people will love, which is why a focus on healthy options can make a big difference. About a year ago, I started paying more and more attention to making different things that my friends and family would love, and it was really incredible to see the difference that my new cooking choices made. Now, I can honestly say that my kids love my cooking, and it has really brought us together as a family. Check out this blog for great information on creating better food for family.

Looking For Ideas For Healthy Sweet Treats This Summer? 2 Treats You Can Create With Simple Caramel Candies

Food & Cooking Articles

If you have a sweet tooth that you want to be able to satisfy this summer without adding inches to your waistline now that swimsuit season is in full force, you may be struggling to find ideas for sweet treats that are as healthy as they are delicious. If you have children, then you may also be looking for healthy snack ideas you can create when you hear them say "I'm hungry!" more often when they are home on summer break.

After you purchase caramel candies, you can create many delicious treats and desserts that taste like "guilty" indulgences, yet are relatively low in calories and fat. 

Why caramel candies? The average 10 gram caramel candy contains just 38 calories and less than one gram of fat but packs a big flavor punch. This makes them easy to add to a healthy recipe without boosting the calorie and fat content of it much. Note that if you buy gourmet caramels from a candy maker like Abdallah Candies And Gifts, those numbers will vary and the flavors of the caramels will affect how they can be used to make other treats.

Read on to learn about five healthy treats you can create with caramel candies this summer so the entire family can enjoy tasty treats.

1. Caramel Apples with a Twist

Who said caramel apples can only be enjoyed in the fall? While you may not find these seasonal sweet treats in grocery stores during the summer, they are super easy to make at home. Feeding your children caramel apples can also help you get them to eat more fruit to satisfy their daily requirement of fruits and vegetables, even if the apples do have some caramel on them.

To make caramel apples at home, all you need are six apples, 14 ounces of caramel candies, two tablespoons of milk, and six wooden craft sticks. Place all of the caramels and milk in a microwave-save bowl, and heat for two minutes, stirring once at the one-minute mark. 

Then, stick a craft stick into each apple and dip each apple into the warm, melted caramel. You can place the apples in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes to set immediately, or roll them in one of the following coatings: 

  • Coconut. The flavors of caramel and coconut complement each other well, and shredded, unsweetened coconut contains all of the well-known health benefits of coconut oil
  • Chopped almonds. While caramel apples are traditionally coated in chopped peanuts, they also taste delicious when rolled in chopped almonds. Almonds are considered one of the healthiest nuts, and they are great for your family's heart health and even help fight obesity. 
  • Popcorn. Air-popped popcorn is very low in calories, and when you roll your caramel apples in it, your family can enjoy the taste of both caramel apples and caramel popcorn in one delicious treat. 

If you have another favorite nut or other healthy, crunchy treat, try rolling your caramel apples in it and you may be surprised when it ends up being a great combination. 

2. Caramel Protein Balls

While caramel apples are best enjoyed at home on hot summer days because taking them along for a snack at the pool or park can lead to them turning sticky in the heat, caramel protein balls are the perfect healthy treat for your family to enjoy on-the-go. 

While you can mix up the seasonings and spices you use to create them based on your family's unique tastes, salted caramel snickerdoodle bites combine the taste of caramel with cinnamon. If your family enjoys cinnamon, then it is a great additional ingredient due to its super-high antioxidant content -- cinnamon is actually one of the most antioxidant-rich foods in the world!

To make salted caramel snickerdoodle bites, all you have to do is mix 3/4 cup flour (you can use peanut flour if you would prefer to make the recipe gluten-free), 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder (soy is a great option), 1/2 cup caramel candies chopped up into small pieces, one tablespoon of cinnamon, 1/2 cup of honey, 1/2 cup peanut or almond butter, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract. 

Once you mix all ingredients together in a bowl, separate the mixture into about 30 small balls and store in the refrigerator. When your family is leaving to go out and enjoy the day, throw a few in a bag and take them with you for a satisfying snack anywhere. 

If you are looking for healthier ideas for sweet treats your family can enjoy this summer while staying in good health and shape, then realize that there are many delicious desserts and snacks you can create with caramel candies. You can even pop one in your mouth alone to satisfy a craving while consuming very few calories and very little fat. 

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25 May 2017