Everyone in Parliament just needs a snack
Wednesday's "manhandling," chest-elbowing fracas in the House of Commons had everyone losing their collective minds.
There was yelling. Fingerpointing. International media attention. And there were repeated apologies that continued into Thursday morning on the part of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who pulled Conservative whip Gord Brown through a crowd of MPs during the afternoon vote on physician-assisted dying, elbowing NDP MP Ruth Ellen Brousseau in the midst of it.
Cool heads prevail in the clear light of day. And after a good meal. Which leads us to believe one thing could have avoided this mess altogether: Snacks.
When too much time passes between meals, nutrient supply to the brain starts to slow, causing some people to become irritable and prone to losing their cool. Yes, folks — "hanger" is a thing, and even our nationally-elected representatives may be vulnerable to its cruel grip.
To help out our friends on Parliament Hill, here are a few ideas for easy snacks to take to work. You're welcome — now get back to running the country.
Five-spice nut mix
This savoury nut mix is perfect for when the afternoon munchies hit. Get this five-spice nut mix recipe.
Everything bagel crackers
These easy homemade crackers work with dips, spreads, cheeses and more. Toss some hummus, roasted red pepper spread or labneh into a jar and a few of these crackers into a bag, and banish the thought of a mid-afternoon muffin. Get this everything bagel crackers recipe.
Chocolate-pretzel granola bars
We thought homemade granola bars took hours to make and bake. Then we discovered this easy stovetop method. Make a batch this Sunday for easy weekday treats! Get this granola bars recipe.
Power bars
Tuck one of these chewy, sweet and nutty bars into your purse or gym bag—you’ll never buy the packaged ones again. They're also great for breakfast. Get this power bars recipe.
Crudites jars with Moroccan hummus
Jars of Moroccan hummus are easy to put together and take with you when you’re on the go. Get this crudites jar with Morrocan hummus recipe.
Sriracha nut mix
With a big dose of hot sauce, this nut mix—loaded with almonds, cashews, sesame seeds and chickpeas—will light a fire under your afternoon. Get this sriracha nut mix recipe.
Labneh with dukkah and fresh vegetables
This thick and creamy Middle Eastern yogurt cheese is the perfect mid-week snack or starter. Serve with mixed veggies and flatbread. Get this labneh with dukkah and fresh vegetables recipe.
Sesame pita chips
Crisp chips meet a smooth, smoky and spicy tomato dip for a satisfying afternoon snack. Get this sesame pita chips recipe.
Sweet potato, parsnip and avocado yogurts
Dip your spoons into yogurts that celebrate a vegetable’s natural sweetness in a deliciously new and exciting way. Get this sweet potato, parsnip and avocado yogurt recipes.
Baked kale chips
The key to perfect kale chips? A slow and low bake. Find out how to make perfect kale chips.
Crispy madras chickpeas
A full-flavoured crunchy snack you can take along to work for the mid-afternoon slump. Get this crispy madras chickpeas recipe.
Cherry and almond energy balls
These bite-sized snacks are our favourite way to get a little extra energy boost. Get this cherry and almond energy balls recipe.
Edamame dip
Spice up your typical vegetables and dip routine with a wasabi-laced bean dip. Get this edamame dip recipe.
Sweet and spicy nuts
Spiced nuts make a great snack during the day. Opt for the healthiest nuts—almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, or pistachios are all good choices. Get this sweet and spicy nuts recipe.
Jicama crudite
Pronounced hee-ka-mah, and common in Latin American cuisines, jicama is a root vegetable that looks like a beige turnip and tastes like a cross between turnip and pear. Look for small to medium ones with smooth, unblemished skin. It’s best served raw, so simply peel, slice and sprinkle with sea salt. Get this jicama crudite dip recipe.
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