I managed to snap out of snacking on chocolates and sweets during work hours (cant say the same for evenings right now!) a long time ago and dont want to return to such bad habits. Recently i started keeping tiny tupperware pots in my handbag with almonds and hazelnuts in (you only need 5 of each nut). They're the healthier nuts you can have with omega 3 and 6. Peanuts have 26 mycotoxin-producing fungi, as do cashew nuts so they've now made it onto my 'Avoid' list.

Reasons to eat almonds:

* they provide tons of magnesium, and more calcium than an equal amount of milk!

*They are filled with vitamin E, potassium, folic acid, some selenium (helps keep your cells healthy) and fiber.

*Almonds also contain a natural aspirin so have been shown to lower bad cholesterol, reduce your risk of heart disease, lessen post-meal blood sugar surges (important for diabetics), and protect against colon cancer.

If i forget healthy snacks I drink tonnes more water to fill my tummy and keep it occupied until i can get something healthy, which i try to make a priority rather than grabbing the nearest foodstuff.

As part of the smoothie challenge the group said peeling, slicing and freezing bananas up is a great way to keep them fresh, have a ready supply, break down the starches within banana and give a great consistency to a fruit smoothie. I chopped up 6 bananas earlier and laid them out in a tray. Will try some in the morning and let you know how they taste.

Try a pickled onion. I know they aren't sweet but the taste is so strong and really doesn't mix with 'sweet' so it works for me.... And I love chocolate!

The frozen banana slices were a major success this evening! I took them out of the freezer and allowed them to defrost just a little bit. They had the texture and taste of banana ice cream without the added sugar, cream and preservatives! Just found my post-meal sweet treat if i ever need a fix whilst cosying up on the sofa.

Banana's:
* contain a lot of potassium, which can hep increase focus and concentration
* contain a particular type of fibre that can help restore normal bowel function
* are a good source of iron and can prevent anaemia
* can protect the eyes from age related macular degeneration
* they can help to soothe an upset digestive tract
* they are an easily digestible source of energy
* in frozen form your body uses more calories to warm them up to digest
* freezing them breaks down the harder-to-digest starches contained within, which helps the body to process them more efficiently. So peel, slice and freeze!

And from a financial point of view, banana's never go ripe or get wasted whilst they sit in the freezer so i save money. Win win situation. xx

Ooooh, those cookies sound fantastic! Will definitely be giving them a go. Thanks for sharing!