Any time of year I like easy-to-make, nutritious snacks, but I appreciate ease more so in the summer. 

Here are some of my favorite, no-cook, protein-packed snacks.

They are not low-calorie, yet every calorie is filled with nutritious goodness.

I’d like to say my kids love them too, but they don’t. 


Chi, chi, Chia Pudding
1 c water, coconut, or milk of your choice
1/2 c nut of choice or shelled hemp seeds
4 pitted dates
1 t vanilla
1/8 t salt
3-4 T chia seeds
Blend all ingredients except chia seeds quickly. Pour mixture into container you are going to store your pudding. Stir in chia seeds. Cover and refrigerate. Stir occasionally. The seeds will plump up within a couple of hours. You can add extra liquid to the consistency you prefer. Enjoy! It keeps for a day or two. After day two, I’m not crazy about the texture.

This quick easy and nutritious snack comes from my friend Heidi O.
Date-nut balls
1/2 c walnuts, 1/2 c pitted dates with 1/2 t pumpkin spice combined in a food processor until still chunky.  Roll into balls and chill.

Sun Ball kind of Sweeties
1/2 c and 2 T toasted (lightly salted ok) sunflower seeds
1/2 c unsweetened shredded coconut (plus some extra to roll balls in)
1/4 c ghee or sunflower butter
3 T maple syrup
1 t vanilla extract
1/2 t coriander
1/2 t cardamon

Grind sunflower seeds to a coarse meal in food processor.  Mix all ingredients in bowl.  Roll into 1 inch balls.  Roll in extra coconut.  Chill.

Adapted from, The Ayurvedic Cookbookby Amadea Morningstar
Sunflower Seed Balls

Make ’em, eat ’em, enjoy!
I’d love hear about some of your yum and easy summer snacks.