The popularity of soft and chewy cookies over the last 20 years is probably an indication that most people like that. When you have your own teeth, chewy is fun but if not, can be rather embarrassing. For those who can handle it though, there are plenty of things to satisfy that craving. Most of the commercially available stuff is loaded with calories, sugar, salt and fat, plus preservatives, so why not make your own healthy snacks?
With a food dehydrator you can make your own chewy dried fruits or fruit leather and it will definitely be healthier. Food dehydrators come with a plastic sheet to be used for making fruit leather, or you can make your own for the oven but you have to be really careful you don't turn the temperature up too high if you do that. Plastic should never be part of a healthy diet! It's a whole lot easier-and safer-to just go buy a food dehydrator.
Dried Fruit
To dry your own fruit all you have to do is wash the fruit well and then slice it very thinly and place it on the dehydrator trays with some space around it. It helps the drying time if you press out the juices first and makes it all tastier if you add some honey or sugar; dissolve the sugar in water and then brush the fruit with it. Stay away from HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup); it has too many health problems associated with it. Of course it's better if you don't have to add sugar to the fruit but some fruits are very acidic and don't taste so good dried if you don't add some sweetness.
To ensure chewyness in your dried fruit, all you have to do is take it out when it gets to the consistency you like. You want to make sure it's thoroughly dry however, or you might open up the bag to find a science experiment. There are some preservatives you can use that are natural but the easiest one (that leaves no taste) is colloidal silver. You can spray some colloidal silver on the fruit before drying; it won't affect the taste nor will the drying process destroy the silver, which is a good antimicrobial. Honey is also antimicrobial but shouldn't be used if the food is going to be given to babies as it can harbor Clostridium botulinum in amounts that babies can't handle. Adult immune systems don't have problems with this but it can be fatal to babies.
I mention only chewy dried fruit here because cookies are really not a good idea for snacks. Over 50% of our population is obese now and children are included in that figure. Childhood obesity is becoming an alarming trend; cookies are the last thing we need to have more of. Switch to healthier treats for yourself and your children. If one has diabetes, dried fruit is a problem but otherwise it's a good snack. At least dried fruit gives you that sweet and chewy alternative and packs a lot of fiber too.
©2010 Dr.Valerie Olmsted All Rights Reserved
Snack Foods: Chewy!
Dr. Valerie Olmsted is an author, naturopathic physician, metaphysician, internet entrepreneur, artist, speaker, and lover of life. Traveling with the Quantum Vortex Experience, she has helped thousands of people reach the inner connection they are seeking and has contributed to the discoveries of manifestation practices via quantum physics applications.
http://www.BeWhoYouReallyAreCoach.com
Contact: Dr.Valerie Olmsted
2370 W. SR 89A
Ste.11-#121
Sedona, AZ 86336
928-257-3290
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