Festive Snacks for Summer from Blue Diamond Almonds
I was provided Blue Diamond products in exchange for my honest review. As always, opinions are 100% my own!
Hello there friends! I decided to post on Wednesday this week because I’m trying to decide if I want to change my third post of the week from Thursdays to Wednesdays. Thursdays are a little dead in my opinion. Let me know what you guys think!
Anywho, with the Fourth of July just days away (seriously, how!?), we are probably all gearing up for picnics, bbqs, parties, cookouts or beach/pool days. I love to indulge in the standard American fare of burgers, corn on the cob and ice cream as much as the next person, but I am always looking for ways to make my life a little healthier. I was excited when Blue Diamond Almonds selected me for their Summer Fun with Blue Diamond Almonds Campaign because I saw this as a challenge to incorporate some healthy eats into my Independence Day plans!
I love cookouts so much. There is something so relaxing about being able to dine al fresco with friends and family and just kick back in the grass and relax. But, I have to say that the standard pasta and potato salads, coleslaw, potato chips, burgers and hot dogs leave me craving something a little bit healthier. This year, I decided to make a healthy side that screams summer fun but it also truly delicious.
The best part is, this fruit platter is so simple to put together and you will look like an amazing hero for bringing this to a party! I simply started out with some Blue Diamond Almonds in Blueberry as my center piece and then built my fruit platter adding pineapple, cherries, raspberries, strawberries and, of course, blueberries. I also added in some reduced fat cheddar cheese to help up the protein intake.
Just add in some iced lemon water and this is also the perfect snack if you are lounging by a pool all day (lucky you!).
I think my favorite combo was the Blue Diamond Blueberry Almonds and the fresh Blueberries. You can never have too much of a good thing, right?
Of course no summer celebration is complete without ice cream. I love ice cream as much as the next person, but it isn’t exactly the healthiest thing on the menu. I decided to make a healthier version by picking up some coconut sorbet and adding my own toppings. I used fresh coconut flakes, cacao nibs and topped the entire creation with Blue Diamond Almonds in Toasted Coconut. It was like I was transported directly to the tropics. Oh so creamy and delicious and with way less fat and calories than a traditional ice cream.
You can always substitute for your favorite ice cream flavor or just go with vanilla, but don’t forget to add on the almonds on top. It adds a nice crunch!
If you don’t have time to shop and put all this stuff together, you can still enjoy some almondy goodness. If you are traveling like me, almonds make the perfect snack. Satisfying and fulfilling, they are portable and perfect for long car trips! My favorite flavor is the Toasted Coconut. I literally will eat anything that has the word coconut in it! Yum!
Readers, what are you looking forward to eating this 4th of July? Do you do make your own sundaes at home? Are you planning on traveling this weekend:?