the itis: bomb snacks to try this weekend

if you're anything like me, you love snacks. yummy, sweet, salty, delicious snacks.  during the winter, we tend to get these yummy snacks in all the wrong places, so i wanted to share a few simple ways to get the yummy, sweet, salty, deliciousness in
the comfort of your own home. check out these quick and easy DIY [do it yourself] recipes:

sweet potato fries: [instead of] french fries or potato chips.  they're a healthier option than white potatoes, and taste better too!  the cinnamon goes well with the winter season.

what's in it:

5-7 sweet potatoes (to feed about 5 people)

olive oil

salt (preferably sea salt)

pepper

cinnamon

how to make it:

- preheat oven to 450 degrees.

- wash and peel sweet potatoes. slice sweet potatoes. the thickness of the potatoes depends on whether you prefer skinny fries or wedges.

- season the slices with salt, pepper and cinnamon. then slightly drizzle olive oil over slices.  toss the slices in the seasoning and olive oil to make sure it's evenly coated -- this is how you make sure your fries are crispy.

- spread the fries on a baking sheet.  make sure there's only one layer of fries or they won't cook all the way through.

- bake for about 30 minutes.

- let cool for 5 minutes.

- tear them up. (i dip mine in ketchup)

chocolate chip cookies: with dark in stead of milk chocolate. recipe borrowed from sweet tooth.

what's in it:

2 cups flour

1 cup turbinado sugar (or granulated sugar)

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup dark chocolate chips/chunks 

2/3 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup soy/almond milk

1 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp dark molasses

how to make it:

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips.

- In another bowl, combine the vegetable oil, soy or almond milk, vanilla, and molasses.

- Add the wet mixture to the dry and mix well with a wooden spoon or your hands to get the mixture well incorporated.

- Roll dough into compact balls, place on a parchment paper-lined pan, and squish them down to form saucers.

- Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes. Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Go in.

hot chocolate: a must-have for the winter months!

what's in it:

2 1/2 cups soy milk

3 tablespoons white sugar

3 table spoons cocoa powder

1/2 teaspon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

a pinch of ground cinnamon

how to make it:

bring soy milk, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla extract, & cinnamon to a simmer in a saucepan over medium-high heat. remove from heat and whisk. drink up!

[brenda michelle . extra] these homemade snacks are also vegan, which means they are zero-part animal :)