my top 5 healthy snacks.

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I’m a snacker.

Whether it’s in between meals or just grazing all day, I usually eat something at least every few hours during the day. To keep that working in my (metabolic?) favor, though, I do my best to keep those snacks on the healthier side by having them be 150-250 calories and a good balance of carbs, protein, and fat. Starting with…

1) banana + nut butter
Anyone who has ever lived with me knows that I’m slightly addicted to nut butter. Paired with a banana is a snack I have almost every day.

My favorite nut butters are Skippy Natural Peanut Butter, Maranatha Almond Butter, Justin’s Maple and Honey Almond Butters, and Artisana Walnut Butter.

2. avocado toast
Who would’ve known that something as simple as avocado on toast would be such a delicious, satisfying snack? I don’t know where the avocado toast trend first started, but it’s one that’s definitely sticking around for me.

Half of an avocado mashed on a slice of toasted grainy (Ezekiel) bread is just enough to hold me over.

3. oatmeal
Yep – the breakfast favorite is also one of my favorite snacks. The key to keeping oatmeal from turning into a full meal is to go easy on the toppings. For me, that looks like one packet of instant oatmeal (cooked with water or almond milk), topped with either fruit, or a tablespoon of nuts/nut butter.

4. peanut butter protein “fudge”
This is a snack I created a few years ago, but never blogged about it for some reason.

In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of peanut butter with 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder (you might have to melt the peanut butter first). Once mixed together, form it into a square, wrap in plastic wrap, and put in freezer. The result may not look pretty, but it really does taste like fudge!

5. protein/energy bars
Bars are a perfect snack, and they’re especially convenient when you’re on the go. I’ve posted about my favorites often, and they are Quest, KIND, and Zing.

What are your go-to healthy snacks?

quest bar review & giveaway.

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As if I didn’t love the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Quest Bar enough – did you know if you microwave it for 15-20 seconds it get all ooey and gooey and more cookie dough-like?! Trust me on this one.

I had tried some other Quest Bar flavors here and there, but nowhere near all of the delicious varieties they come in. That’s why I was so thrilled when Quest sent me a huge sample pack of their products!

First off - I didn’t even know Quest made peanut butter cups, so I was really excited when I saw them in the sampler. I’m always a little wary of “healthy” candy, but these peanut butter cups are seriously delicious. I really can’t believe they have 20 grams of protein!

Tip: I especially love eating these frozen.

I’ll admit that when I first saw Quest Bars all over blogs and in health food stores, I was skeptical of the hype. But after trying them for myself – not to mention comparing the nutritional stats and ingredients to other protein bars (more protein, less calories, less weird ingredients) – I can definitely say I have a new favorite bar.

After trying almost all of the flavors, some of my favorite new Quest Bars are White Chocolate Raspberry, Cinnamon Roll, and Peanut Butter Supreme (which tastes like straight peanut butter fudge. Yum).

I also found that there are dozens of recipes for healthy desserts using Quest Bars. I can’t wait to give them a try!

Want to try Quest Bars for yourself? Quest is letting me give away sample packs to TWO lucky readers!

The sample pack includes 12 flavors of Quest Bars, 2 packs of Peanut Butter Cups, and 2 of the new White Chocolate Raspberry bars.

There are THREE ways to enter:

1) Follow Quest on either Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

2) Leave a comment at the end of this post saying which flavor you’d most like to try. (optional)

3) Tweet about the giveaway: copy and paste - “I entered @alagracie’s @questnutrition giveaway! http://tinyurl.com/k4klskn” (optional)

***Please be sure to leave a comment for each entry in order for them to be counted accordingly.***

The contest will end on Monday 9/2 at 5pm EST. Good luck!

UPDATE: winners have been emailed!

what i’m loving right now.

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Quest Bars. I’ve seen them all over blogs for a while, and I’m on the bandwagon now! I’ve tried a handful of the flavors, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is definitely my favorite.

Hot Buns. It just sounds like something that would be “As Seen On TV,” right? haha. But this is actually a great upgrade from a sock bun – it’s so much easier and secures well.

Soul Doctor. I went with Monica last week to see a preview of Soul Doctor – a musical about Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, and his unlikely friendship with Nina Simone. I loved it! The music, choreography, and story were so entertaining and just plain FUN! The show officially opens on August 15 at Circle in the Square Theatre.

weight training. I used to be quite the cardio queen, but now I have a whole new appreciation for the other side of the gym. I’ve only been at it for a couple of weeks, and I already feel stronger and notice a difference in my body. I actually love feeling sore after a good workout!

Benefit Hoola bronzing powder. I used to wear Hoola years ago and recently returned to it. I can’t remember why we ever broke up! It’s one of the best bronzers out there because it applies light and evenly, and it has the perfect shade – not orangey at all.

snack plates. My favorite SnackFace may not be blogging anymore, but her inspiration lives on.

(left: hard boiled eggs, peach + cinnamon, spoonful of walnut butter)
(right: brussels sprouts + spinach + feta cheese, apple + cinnamon, banana + peanut butter)

goldie nails. Usually in the summer I stick to pinks and pastel polishes, but the other day I felt like glamming it up with Sonia Kashuk Golden Ticket. Why not?

What are you loving right now? Any new makeup/beauty products I should try?