Have you ever found yourself getting ready for your yoga class, but suddenly realized it’s been ages since you ate? Being hungry in a yoga class is no fun, but neither is doing yoga on a full tummy!
Today I want to share with you 5 healthy snacks so you can be nourished and prepared before and after your next yoga practice.
These are some of my favorite healthy yoga snacks… As well as being easy to digest, they are also packed full of nutrition, and easy to make.
If you are just about to hit the yoga mat, please note that the recipes below will make pretty big portions so probably best to share them with a friend, or two!
1. Kale Chips
These little tasty snacks are so easy and quick. Here's how I make them: Place a thick layer of organic chopped kale in a roasting dish and then generously drizzle over 1-2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. Cook in a hot oven (say 200 degrees celcius) for around 10 mins or until crisp and crunchy! If you want more flavor, try sprinkling Engavita flakes (nutritional yeast) over the kale. For extra zing, squeeze the juice of a fresh lemon over them just before you eat. Delicious!
2. Green Smoothie
Into a high-speed blender add: 2 bananas, 3-4 handfuls of young washed, organic spinach leaves, and 2 cups of liquid: filtered water, coconut water or non-dairy organic nut milk. The secret to a great green smoothie is to use a high-speed blender (Vita-Mix is my favorite). Keep your green smoothie interesting by adding new flavors, such as: a dash of cinnamon, 1 Tbs of coconut oil and/or 1 Tsp of different types of green powder (such as spirulina or wheat grass as they are nutrient dense, easy to digest and will give your body lots of energy)
3. Fresh Green Juice
Either before or after yoga, fresh juice is a great energy boost! To make a great juice, go for as many greens as possible. Here’s how I make my green juice.
In a juicer, juice together a selection of the following ingredients. Always choose organic if possible.
- Half a cucumber
- 3-5 stalks of celery
- 1-2 apples, pears or fresh pineapple (for sweetness)
Tip: you can also juice anything that you would like to use up, such as carrots, parsley, lemon, ginger etc.
4. Organic Vegetable Soup
On cold days, warm soup is always a winner! I make a big pot that I can either freeze or eat left-overs the next day. Here’s how I do it…
Into a big casserole pot, add 1-2 Tbs of coconut oil or olive oil, and lightly cook over low heat the following vegetables. As you’ll be blending everything at the end, you can get away with having all your vegetables chopped roughly. Choose organic where possible.
To your oil, add:
- 1 or 2 onions
- 4 carrots
- 3 stalks of celery
Cook for a few minutes, then stir and add 2 -3 litres/quarts of hot water. Add 2 or 3 roughly chopped courgettes (zucchini) and a head of broccoli. Cook until the carrots are soft (about 10 minutes) and turn the heat off. If you have time, let cool for 5-10 minutes. Then blend everything together in a high-speed blender or with a kitchen wand. If desired, season to taste with miso paste, sea salt, tamari or Herbamere salt.
5. Chocolate Cake (Raw)
Raw cakes make the perfect healthy snack. They typically keep really well (if you don’t eat it all at once!) and so make great ‘fast-food’ if you have it ready to eat in your fridge. Mix together:
- 3 or 4 generous Tbs of softened coconut oil
- 2-4 Tbs of raw chocolate powder (or alternatively use cocoa powder. If you like a really chocolate-y taste, just add more powder!)
Then add:
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- 1 ½ heaped cups of oats or ground almonds (for grain-free)
- ½ cup coconut
- ½ cup of chopped sultanas/raisins or soaked dates
- ½ cup of chopped walnuts (or other nuts)
- dash of sea salt
Mix together and add liquid if needed – you can use water, fresh orange juice or coconut water. If you want more sweetness, try adding a mashed banana.
Ensure that the mix is firm enough to hold together. Once mixed, press into a cake tin and sprinkle the top with desiccated coconut. Place in the freezer until set.
Please leave me a comment below sharing some of your favorite ways for staying healthy in social settings – and any other questions or comments – I look forward to hearing from you!
