HaveHealthNow Blog by Wellness Mike

NO-BAKE OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIE BALLS Preparation 5 minutes Serves 9-10 cookie balls     ADJUST SERVINGS These no-bake treats taste just like a chewy oatmeal raisin cookie but are naturally sweetened and full of only wholesome ingredients! INGREDIENTS 1 cup oats (I use old fashioned) 1/2 cup packed Medjool dates, pitted and chopped (about 5-6 large)1/2 cup raisins1 teaspoon vanilla extract1/2 teaspoon cinnamonpinch of salt1-3 tablespoons water, as needed (see notes) INSTRUCTIONS Add all of the ingredients into your food processor. Pulse, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed, until everything is well combined. Add extra water as needed to get the mixture to come together (see notes, below).Wet hands and roll mixture into golf ball-sized cookie balls. Enjoy! RECIPE NOTES I usually need 2-3 tablespoons of water to get the mixture to come together. It will depend on how dry your dates are. Add a bit at a time and wait till the mixture sticks to itself so you can roll it into

Got a late-night sugar craving that just won't quit? "To satisfy your sweet tooth without pushing yourself over the calorie edge, even in the late night hours, think 'fruit first,'" says Jackie Newgent, RD, author of The Big Green Cookbook. So resist that chocolate cake siren, and instead enjoy a sliced apple with a tablespoon of nut butter (like peanut or almond) or fresh fig halves spread with ricotta. Then sleep sweet, knowing you're still on the right, healthy track.

While there are heaps of good-for-you foods out there, some key ingredients make it a lot easier to meet your weight-loss goals. Next grocery store run, be sure to place Newgent's top three diet-friendly items in your cart: balsamic vinegar (it adds a pop of low-cal flavor to veggies and salads), in-shell nuts (their protein and fiber keep you satiated), and fat-free plain yogurt (a creamy, comforting source of protein). "Plus, Greek yogurt also works wonders as a natural low-calorie base for dressings and dips—or as a tangier alternative to sour cream," says Newgent. Talk about a multitasker!