I don't have a picture of these to put up with this post at the moment but so many people have asked me what Monkey Bars are that I have to share. I made these for the first time over the summer for my husband to take camping. I thought they were really good and light tasting. Perfect little snack or breakfast.

Monkey Bars
from Woman's Day September 2010

1 2/3 Cups Mashed Ripe Bananas (about 5 bananas)
3/4 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup Oil
1/4 Cup Milk
2 Large Eggs
2 Teaspoons Vanilla
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 3/4 Cups Flour
1 Cup Mini Chocolate Chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 15 x 10 baking pan with nonstick foil letting the foil extend about 2 inches above the pan at both ends.,

Whisk mashed banana, sugar, oil, milk, eggs, vanilla, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl until mixed thoroughly. Whisk in flour just until blended gently stir in 1/2 cup of the mini chocolate chips.

Spread batter in prepared pan. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Holding foil by ends, left from pan onto a cutting board. Carefully cut lengthwise in 4 strips and then cut each strip in 10; remove foil.

Eat and enjoy! I have frozen these and they seem to hold up well.

This little appetizer is so easy to put together and looks like you got it from somewhere fancy. I also like it because it is very light and refreshing. Pick a cool platter and you are set.

Red, Orange, and Yellow Peppers
Hummus
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Cucumbers
Rice Crackers

Chop the peppers into bite size square or rectangle pieces then set aside. Slice cucumber into bite size round pieces and set aside. Fill a zip lock bag with hummus and cut one of the bottom corners off of the bag to create a tip. Pipe the hummus onto some of the crackers and cucumbers. Top hummus with a piece of pepper.

On the remaining crackers and cucumbers pipe the spinach artichoke dip on just like you did with the hummus.

There is really no way to go wrong with this and you could easily use other toppers and other bases. The possibilities are endless!

I have been thinking about doing a favorite (healthy) food list for the last week because as a person with a degree in Community Health Education, I am often asked what I like to eat. This is a list of different foods in my kitchen that I end up buying very often. Click on each food item to learn more. Also, if you click on the links you can find coupons! I know Sheena probably just loved me saying coupons! : )

5. Cuties - A great way to add some fruit! They have a VERY sweet taste that will satisfy any sweet tooth out there. Plus, two small cuties has 4 grams of fiber! What dessert can do that?!

4. Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters - Nut Lovers - This granola snack is great because it is an easy way to get some nuts into your diet. It has a sweet honey flavor that is very addicting. Make sure you only eat the recommended serving on this one as there is some sugar. Sheena gave me this as a sample and now I am hooked!

3. Alexia Spicy Sweet Potato Fries - I LOVE these! Alexia's entire brand of products is all natural and has zero trans fats. Sweet Potatoes have more vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium. Also you should always try to eat the rainbow in a day for your health so this gives you your orange! These fries are so good that I would eat these every day if I could. Try them soon!

2. Nature's Path Organic Flax Plus Red Berry Crunch - This cereal was an unexpected find for me and now I can't get myself to buy anything else! It has flax seeds and is a great source of Omega 3's and you wouldn't even know it! It is a bran cereal with clusters and dried strawberries and raspberries. Also, the fact that it has 6 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber is great! Mmmm!

1. Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream - I know, you are shocked that this is on my HEALTHY food list! Ben & Jerry's is a great because not only is the ice cream some of the best tasting EVER, but it has some of the most simple ingredients you can find. There is a lot to be said about eating "clean" and only products with ingredients in which you can read and actually understand. Although you still want to eat a small amount since it is a dessert, have confidence knowing that is it real food and not made up of strange chemicals. And an added bonus to it all is that they have awesome activism and give to charitable organizations and are also into protecting the environment!

Is there anything that you absolutely love and want to share? We would love to hear about it! Leave us a comment and let us know! Thanks for reading!

Recently I was selected by House Party to host a sandwich party featuring Sandwich Thins. I had never tried these before and I wanted to use them in more ways than just having sandwiches. I thought about what to do for a long time and decided on three things. The first was roasted garlic with toasted Sandwich Thins, then I made Pesto Chicken Paninis, and Mini Cheese Pizzas. Everything was yummy. My favorite was the toasted thins with roasted garlic and I had quite a few people who loved the paninis.



Roasted Garlic with Toasted Sandwich Thins

2 Bulbs of Garlic
Sandwich Thins (I used four but you can make however many "chips" you want)
Olive Oil
Salt

Cut top off garlic bulbs and place in foil. Drizzle cut side with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Enclose in foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Just before garlic is done split the Sandwich Thins, brush with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Using a pizza cutter cut the thins into fours. Put in 350 degree oven and bake until they reach your desired crispness (I did mine for 10-15 minutes).

When done serve the toasted thins with the roasted garlic. Delish!


Pesto Chicken Panini (Not a great picture above but I was trying to show how good the insides looked)

Desired Number of Sandwich Thins
Prepared Pesto
Mayo
Chicken
Swiss Cheese

Spread pesto on one side of the bread and then spread mayo on the other side. Fill with chicken and cheese (Spinach would also be good to add but we didn't have any). Put inside of a panini press or George Foreman Grill. Cook until the cheese is melted and bread is toasty.

Mini Cheese Pizza (Didn't realize I forgot to picture these..bummer)

Desired Number of Sandwich Thins
Pizza Sauce or Pasta Sauce
Mozzarella Cheese

Split Sandwich Thins and spread pizza sauce on the bread. Top with cheese and cook in 400 degree oven until cheese is melted and bread is toasty.

There are so many other ways these Sandwich Thins can be used. Right now I am going to take the few we have left and fill them with peanut butter and jelly then freeze to make my own "Uncrustables." The only thing that would probably make me like them better is if the whole wheat white ones were available at my store. I know it isn't the healthiest but I do love white bread.

If you are interested in trying Sandwich Thins I have three $1.00 off 1 coupons left. Leave a comment with your email address and I will pick a winner on Wednesday, March 10th. They are good until 6/30/2010 so you have plenty of time to use them. Enjoy!




**These coupons were given to me by Oroweat to use at my house party. Oroweat did not pay me to have the party or this giveaway (I wish they had though-how cool would that have been?!?!) but did give me coupons to use for myself and guests of my party. I am sharing with you some of the leftovers.**