Stay trim around the holidays with these snacks

Walnuts & almondsAll nuts are great to eat, but there is something special about walnuts and almonds. Theyíve got healthy fat and protein, and are exceptionally filling. Grab a handful of either, eat them nice and slow, and youíll be able to coast to your next meal with ease.Dried fruitBasically all fruit is good for snacking, but sometimes the effort required for fresh fruit can be an obstacle. Donít let time restraints or the potential for a mess keep you from downing fruit. Instead, go with dried fruit. As an added perk, saving leftover dried fruit is as easy as closing the bag. Just be careful not to get dried fruit with added sugars.Peanut butter toastNuts are on the list once again, but this time itís peanuts, and they need to be nice and creamy. A toast-sized portion of peanut butter provides a solid protein boost; and, if you spread it across Ezekiel bread, youíll get an even greater fill of protein, along with a big high-five to your taste buds.Kale chipsYouíve spent years salivating at the thought of a fresh bag of potato chips or a sleeve of crackers and cheese. No longer: In 20 minutes or so, you can bake up some delicious chips made from kale that will fill your need for something salty and crunchy. Itís the good green stuff and low calorie, too.Cold corn & peasPeak in your freezer and toss some frozen peas and corn into a small bowl. Pop them into your mouth, and the vegetablesí natural sweetness gives you a flavor that is just right in bite-sized portions.OatmealIt doesnít get more ordinary than oatmeal, but snacks donít always have to be exciting. A small bowl of oatmeal, mixed with a scoop of high-quality protein powder, will go a long way toward keeping you from the snack machine and a lot closer to your weight-loss goals. With a few small slivers of apple or even a few pinches of ground cinnamon, itíll have a flavor as satisfying as it is filling.Protein shakeAnother snack that will fill you up with fat burning fuel is a simple, classic protein shake. Start with a scoop, or two, of high quality protein powder, and add water and ice. Itís quick, simple and effective.This recipe makes a wonderfully healthy family meal. Use organic berries and chicken to get the most from your meal nutritionally and flavor-wise. Serve your chicken on a bed of steamed veggies or on a dark leafy green salad.Blackberry ChickenServings: 4For the chicken:

• 1.5 pounds organic, skinless, boneless chicken tenders
• 1 cup organic blackberries
• 1/4 cup coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
• 1/4 cup plum vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1/8 cup yellow onion, minced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 packet Stevia

1. Rinse the chicken tenders and pat dry. Place in a large ziplock bag.
2. Simmer, stirring often, until the blackberries become bright and the sauce reaches desired consistency
3. Optional: Strain the seeds from the marinade (if you donít mind the crunch, then leave the seeds in).
4. Pour the marinade into the bag of chicken, seal and place in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours.
5. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place the marinated chicken in a baking pan and bake 30 minutes.
6. Remove from oven, drain off excess marinade, then place under high broil for 4 minutes, watch closely. Remove when golden.

For the Blackberry Sauce:

• 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 cup organic blackberries
• 1 packet Stevia
• 1 Tablespoon plum vinegar

1. In a skillet over medium low heat, combine all of the ingredients and bring to a simmer.
2. Simmer, stirring often, until the blackberries become bright and the sauce reaches desired consistency.
3. If you want the sauce thicker, add 1/2 teaspoon of arrowroot powder.
4. Optional: Strain the seeds from the sauce
5. Serve over the cooked chicken.

Nutritional analysis: One serving equals 287 calories, 7g fat, 655mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate, 5g fiber, and 36g protein