No Bake Apple Pie Bites

So, we're in the last week of January.  Can you believe it?  How are those New Year's resolutions going?  I've had some ups and downs with mine.  One reason is the weather: I don't want to get out in it, and the kids have had too many snow days.  I'm learning to work around this, though.  Trying to exercising with videos, being more consistent in drinking my smoothees, and cutting back on the processed foods.  The only easy one is drinking my morning smoothee - well, as long as one of the kids doesn't drink it before me.  Thank you, Shaklee!

To help with the processed foods, I've just had to stop buying them.  It's hard as a mom with several kids not to just grab junk off the shelves at the store for quick and easy snacks, though.  I've had to be somewhat creative to keep a full out revolt from happening in our home.  Keeping lots of fruit on hand helps.  Yogurt, granola bars, salsa and nuts are also great snacks for the kids.  But, sometimes, we all just want some of those comfort foods we gave up even though they aren't good for us.

Here's my solution to apple pie - no baking, all natural, 6 ingredients, and super yum!

No Bake Apple Pie Bites

1 cup raw almonds
1/2 cup cashews
1 1/2 cup medjool dates, pitted
1 cup dried apple slices
1/2 T cinnamon
pinch of salt
water, if needed

 (Make sure you have someone on hand to sample your ingredients for quality.)

Place all ingredients in a food processor and chop until it resembles a coarse gravel.  The natural sugar from the dates should hold everything together.  If not, add a small amount of water to help things stick a little.

 Spoon out about a teaspoon at a time and form into bite size balls.

Have a cute, little one sample the finished snack to make sure they are the perfect size and shape for snacking.

 Store in a container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. (If they last that long.)

That's it.  So Easy!

A couple of notes:
1. The type of date does make a difference.  Medjool dates seem to have more moisture in them than the others we've tried.  You'll have to add more water to get everything to stick together if another type is used.  Just remember to add a little at a time.
2.  A pinch of salt makes the flavors really pop in this recipe.  If your cashews are salted, don't add any additional.
3.  This is an easy recipe to make from all organic ingredients.  Or, just use what you can find at the local grocery.  It's your choice.

Don't forget - Today and tomorrow are the last days to join with Shaklee 180 on AutoShip and get up to $100 in free products and a year of free shipping!  This applies to the Shaklee 180 Turnaround Kit, the Shaklee 180 Energizing Smoothee Kit, and the Shaklee 180 Lean & Healthy Kit.