Our top 6 Healthy Office Snacks

Having healthy snacks in your office can sometimes be challenging. At Green Earth Organics we are very lucky to have access to so many healthy and delicious snacks through the day. That is why we've made a list of our Top 6 Healthy Office Snacks! Enjoy!


1. Oranges -
Smooth, thin skin encases sweet, juicy fruit with a deliciously tart taste. Cut in small wedges and sink your teeth into the tender, silky flesh.






2. Apples -
Apples have a high antioxidant concentration. Antioxidants are disease-fighting compounds. Scientists believe these compounds help prevent and repair oxidation damage that happens during normal cell activity.







3. Bananas -
The banana is an anytime, year-round snack. Slice them onto cereal or fold into a fruit salad.






4. Dried Fruit -
Dried fruit has a long tradition and is a great snack that will boost your energy levels with its sweet taste, nutritive value, and long shelf life.

5. Crackers and cheese -
Cheese and crackers can provide a source of healthy carbohydrates and protein that will get you going till the end of the day.












6. Granola Bars -
Instead of a loose, breakfast cereal consistency, granola bars are pressed and baked into a bar shape, resulting in the production of a more convenient snack. Nature’s Path has delicious flavours that will melt in your mouth.

Chia Seed Pudding

Chia seeds, are loaded with omega fatty acids, protein, minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Even better, when introduced to a liquid they absorb it and transform into a gel-like consistency. This is perfect for adding to recipes as a thickener or egg-substitute (pancakes!).

They also make a great base for a simple two ingredient pudding.

 
Ingredients:

3-4 tbsp Chia seeds

8 oz unsweetened almond milk/coconut milk

Optional toppings:
Vanilla extract, honey, agave nectar, maple syrup, nutmeg, cinnamon, cocoa powder, coconut flakes, graham cracker crumbles, granola, fresh fruit, etc…


Directions:

Combine the chia seeds and room temperature almond milk into a bowl. Let it sit at room temperature for approximately 30 – 60 minutes. Mix every 5 – 10 minutes to break up clumps. Once pudding is at the desired consistency, mix in any option items you want and enjoy!

Making Scents at Lakewood Lye

Growing up, dad was always telling us “never wash the car with anything that has harmful chemicals, it goes straight to the ocean.” For some reason, that never seemed to equate to hand soap as well until long after I was already an adult. After that, it was a long and arduous search for soaps I could use without hurting either the environment or my own skin. This last November I had the great fortune of being hired at Green Earth Organics and discovered Lakewood Lye’s products. Three different bars have already made their way home with me and I’m eager to try the rest as well.

Nicole has been making soap for over 10 years now, ever since she took a class from an experienced soap maker in her community. She began selling locally almost immediately and, two years ago, officially registered Lakewood Lye as a business. “I wanted to see if I could work from home and turn my soap making “hobby” into a viable business that would allow me to have time for my 3 children.” Soap making at home has even turned into a family project, with her eldest daughter helping to cut the soaps, package them for market, and even wash the dishes! I imagine washing soap making dishes must be a bit easier more interesting than doing the dinner dishes.

Lakewood Lye’s products are always “100% natural” and contain only 4-6 ingredients. Usually, 3 types of vegetable oils, one essential oil (or a blend, but NEVER any fragrance or artificial scent mixed in), and natural earth clay as a mineral and detoxifyer, and sometimes a small amount of oatmeal, almonds, honey, or goat's milk. “I believe the clays I use make my product very unique - other soap makers make one or two types of soap with clay in them, but each and every type of soap I make contains a different type of clay, to both mineralize the skin, and act as a draw for toxins and impurities, which are absorbed daily through our skin from the environment.  So they take out the bad, and deposit the good.”

My personal favourite (so far!) is the cinnamon spice, which uses red clay and ground coffee for a nice exfoliating effect with cinnamon essential oil to provide its signature scent. Nicole also does seasonal soaps; I recall a lovely orange and black swirled one which was inspired for Halloween. (I took that one home too!) When asked what was on the line-up for spring and summer she shared, “right now it’s Coconut Lime, a very fresh bar loaded with green clay, lime essential oil, and shredded coconut.” Another popular product line not currently listed on her website is her bath salts. “There's one called Lemon Lime Escape that customers have been really loving - It's a combination of Epsom salts, Sea Salts, and Lemon and Lime essential oils.”

Considering that her customer base is almost 100% local, it comes as no surprise that she spends quite a bit of time giving back to her community. Nicole often donates soap to local women’s shelters and various other charities, as well as partners with “Mis’ cel’ la ‘ny” a charity organization that runs a thrift shop on Hastings Street to raise money for re-training women who have come out of substance abuse programs and women’s shelters. 40% of all profits from Lakewood Lye soap sold on site at the thrift shop go straight to “Mis’ cel’ la ‘ny.”

Green Earth Organics is eager to hear from you, if there are any Lakewood Lye products you are interested in that we do not carry, please let us know!

Stir-fry Bok Choy

2 Servings

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon coconut oil (or other high temp oil for cooking)

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ginger, minced

6 larger or 12 smaller heads baby bok choy - Trim stems and cut in half or quartered

2 tablespoons tamari

2 teaspoons sesame seeds

Optional* Non-veg:

2 Boneless Chicken Breasts thinly sliced into bite size pieces and seasoned with salt and pepper.

DIRECTIONS

- Heat the oil in a wok or large sauté pan until almost smoking.

- Add the minced garlic and ginger. 

- Use a spoon to quickly stir for about 30 seconds

- * Add chicken breast strips

- * Continue tossing until chicken is seared on all sides.

- Add Bok Choy and tamari.

- Cover for 1 to 2 minutes to steam bok choy.

- Remove from heat, toss with sesame seeds and serve.

Coconut Corn Salad

Adapted from 101 Cookbooks

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
5 ears of corn, shucked
sea salt, to taste
3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
1 cup big coconut flakes, well toasted
1 cup sliced almonds, well toasted
3 tablespoons chopped red onions
generous amount of fresh lemon or lime juice, to taste

DIRECTIONS

Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat, and then add in the corn, sprinkling with salt. Stir well to ensure the corn is coated in both the butter and salt.  Cook for a minute or two, just until the corn is no longer raw, and stir in half the thyme.

Transfer the corn to a large bowl. Just before serving, add most of the coconut flakes, most of the almonds, the rest of the thyme, red onions, and citrus juice. Stir well. Taste, adjust salt to taste, and top with the remaining coconut and almonds. Easy, delicious, and perfect for a summer meal.

Cornflake Bars

INGREDIENTS

1 cup demerara sugar
1 cup coconut oil, melted
1 whole egg
1 egg white
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups cornflakes, crushed
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup soy flour
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp nutmeg
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried cranberries or chocolate chips
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped almonds or other nuts

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). Grease a 9" x 13" pan.

Beat the demerara sugar, coconut oil, whole egg, egg white, and vanilla extract together in a large bowl until fluffy. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine well.

Spread mixture evenly in the pan and press down lightly. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until crisp around the edges. Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.

Easy Baked Bananas

INGREDIENTS

4 firm bananas
1 to 2 Tbsp melted butter
Pinch sea salt
1 Tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp sugar
1/2 cup shredded coconut

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Peel bananas and place in a well greased baking dish. Brush generously with butter and sprinkle lightly with salt. Sprinkle sugar evenly over bananas, then drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle with coconut. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until bananas are tender. Serve with syrup or a dessert sauce, if desired.