Healthy snacks + cozy evenings

‘Tis the season for cozy nights in so, grab your favorite pair of flannel, put on a beloved movie, and make it a date night  at home.

But first, you’ll need snacks! And it being the new year, full of fresh starts and aspirations, let’s make these fun, healthy snacks.

Chocolate dipped clementines and persimmons are my new favorite. You can top them with flax seeds, matcha, black sesame seeds, granola, crushed nuts etc. the possibilities are endless.

Okay, so these are “healthyish snacks” – chocolate is still involved! But I like to serve these alongside a bowl of almond, raisin, and popcorn “trail mix,” which gives my favorite Skinnypop popcorn some nutritional oomph.

Simply melt some dark chocolate over a water bath, then dip clementine wedges and ripe persimmon slices into the chocolate. Or you can drizzle the chocolate over the fruit – make sure to put down wax paper since this is a little more messy!

And then the toppings: I love a little added crunch + added nutrition so, some sesame seeds or flax seeds make for an easy addition, as does a little sea salt – don’t be afraid to use it with chocolate, they pair together so well!

Here are some of the health benefits you could get from the various toppings:

• Vitamin C: it may help with stress and skin aging, boosting your immune system, & lowering inflammation
• Dark chocolate: it is high in manganese and magnesium, may help lower blood pressure & boost your mood!
• Matcha: it contains catechins, antioxidants linked to fighting cancer and heart disease, & boosts concentration
• Black sesame seeds: they are a good source of thiamin and fiber & contain natural antioxidants
• Almonds: they are a great source of healthy fats, fiber, and vitamin E & contain high-quality protein
• Oats: they are a good source of whole grains, antioxidants, fiber & lower cholesterol levels

Want more ideas for healthy snacks? Check these out! Apple chips with everything good, Shishito pepper poppers, and Green appetizers.

Now that you’re situated, with snacks, settle in with your favorite person and/or animal and your favorite movie for a cozy night in.

{p.s.} Here are my current “guilty pleasure” movies, in case you’re curious:

~Paddington~

~Bridget Jones’s Baby~

~Love Actually~

~Christmas in Connecticut~

~Amelie~

SaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave