Spa recipes for healthy lunch box snacks

Packing lunch boxes with healthy snacks can be a challenge. But tempting as it may be to just toss in a store-bought dessert, a bag of supermarket chips or a commercially-made fruit and nut bar, there are healthy alternatives that can be made at home.

Here are few recipes for delicious healthy snacks provided by some of America’s leading destination spas.

These delicious fruit and nut bars from the Canyon Ranch Spa in Arizona can be stored wrapped or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month.

Canyon Ranch Fruit & Nut Bars

1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup chopped almonds
3/4 cup honey
2 3/4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup dried chopped apples
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup sliced dates, about 10 medium
1 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 325º. Lightly coat a 9 x 13 x 1/2-inch baking sheet with canola oil. Spread nuts on baking sheet and toast lightly for 5 minutes.
2. Warm honey in microwave or over low heat on stovetop to the consistency of a thin
syrup.
3. Place nuts in the bowl of a food processor. Chop briefly. Add oats, dried cranberries, dried apples, raisins, dates and cinnamon. Process briefly until all ingredients are chopped. While machine is running, drizzle in warm honey until mixture binds.
4. Lightly spray baking sheet (same one used for nuts) with canola oil. Press mixture into baking sheet. Lightly spray parchment paper with canola oil. Using a rolling pin, roll (over parchment) until mixture is evenly flat on top. Place in freezer for at least 30 minutes. Cut into 16 bars.

From The Oaks at Ojai comes this quick-and-easy alternative to supermarket chips-in-a-bag.

Parmesan Pita Crisps

6 mini whole wheat pits, 2 T. grated Parmesan cheese

Cut pitas into quarters and split. Lay cut pitas rough side up on a cookie sheet, close together. Sprinkle cheese over pita pieces and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes to brown and crisp. Serve as a bread or cracker with soup or salad.

This recipe for a healthy lunch box dessert comes from the Kerr House Spa in Grand Rapids.

Rhubarb Crunch

1 cup sifted flour
¾ cup oatmeal
½ cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 cups rhubarb, diced
1 cup water
1 cup Florida Crystals
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine flour, sweetener, butter, and cinnamon. Mix until crumbly. Press half of crumbs into 9 inch baking pan. Cover with rhubarb. Combine water, crystals, cornstarch, and vanilla. Cook until thick and clear. Pour over rhubarb, top with remaining crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

If you like these recipes, you might enjoy the recipe for a grownup treat from the Cliff House Spa: Chilled Maine Blueberry Champagne Bisque.