Looking for a healthy after-school snack? This easy variation on hummus is made entirely with staples you probably have in your pantry right now. The delicious result, a festively hued snack dip or sandwich spread, is also packed with lean protein.
Snack Attack: 9 New Healthy After-School Snacks
It's easy to get into an after-school snack-time rut.
It's easy to get into an after-school snack-time rut. The kids come home from school ravenous and reach for the first familiar thing they see. But what if the pantry was stocked with new fare this year — and all of it was healthy? Would your lil ones know the difference? Before picking up your typical brand of chips and crackers at the store, check out these nine additions to the snack-food aisle this year. We bet your tots will never even suspect that they're loaded with healthy things like omega-3 fatty acids, choline, and whole grains!
Clockwise from top left: Funky Monkey Bananamon Snacks ($22/12), Clif Bar Kit's Organic Fruit + Nut Bar ($20/12), Kashi Soft Baked Squares ($5/five), Plum Kids Fruit & Veggie Shredz ($4/five), NatureBox ($20/month), Odwalla Garden Organics (available beginning Oct. 1), Whole Foods' 365 Everyday Value Organic Fruit Cups, Bitsy's Brainfood Sweet Potato Oatmeal Raisin ($3), GoGo Squeez Applesauce on the Go ($34/48).
Snack Attack: 10 Healthy Additions to the Lunch Box Routine
Break the boring lunch box routine and serve up something fun this year!
Break the boring lunch box routine and serve up something fun this year! In the midst of the morning rush, it's easy to fall into a lunch-making rut, consistently filling lil ones' sacks with the same items in the same rotation each week. As we head back to school, add something new to their lunch boxes — or keep them tucked away for after-school snacks — because change is good, right?
Clockwise from top left: Sensible Foods Roasted Edamame Crunch Dried Snack ($1/bag), Earth's Best Organic Pop Snax Veggie Crisps ($5), Flamous Organics Organic Falafel Chips ($5), Samai Plantain Chips Naturally Sweet ($5/three bags), Champion Raisels Sour Apple Raisins ($21/72), Clif Kid Z Bar Crispy ($13/12), Mrs. May's Mango Fruit Chips ($1), Simply 7 Lentil Chips ($3), Revolution Foods Yo' Drops ($16/20).
Sneak Vegetables In Zucchini Cookies
Like carrots, zucchinis make a healthy addition to sweet dishes like cookies and cakes.
Like carrots, zucchinis make a healthy addition to sweet dishes like cookies and cakes. The zucchini adds much needed vitamins and fiber, but don't distract from the chewiness of the cookie. The next time you want to surprise kids with a batch of homemade cookies — in their lunch or after school —make these cookies. The chocolate chips, raisins, and flaked coconut will completely distract them from the zucchini. To make a batch of these moist and tasty cookies for your family today, read more
Cinnamon & Sugar After School Snacks
When I was younger, I dreamed of having a mother who would have icy, cold lemonade and fresh, baked chocolate chip cookies waiting for me when I got home from school.
When I was younger, I dreamed of having a mother who would have icy, cold lemonade and fresh, baked chocolate chip cookies waiting for me when I got home from school. Alas, my mom worked instead of baked and felt a snack of chocolate chip cookies was a bad one. In that respect, I've grown to think that the best afternoon snacks are those that combine a little bit of sweet, with a little bit of healthy. These cinnamon and sugar tostadas come together in minutes and pair nicely with fresh cut fruit, making them an ideal after school snack. Kids can help by mixing and sprinkling the cinnamon sugar on the whole wheat tortillas. Want the super easy recipe? Just read more
Lions, & Tigers & Bears, Yum! Yum!
Whenever my mom went grocery shopping, she would treat me to a box of Barnum's Animal Crackers.
Whenever my mom went grocery shopping, she would treat me to a box of Barnum's Animal Crackers. Even though they were called crackers, I considered them more of a cookie and would save them to enjoy after lunch, or as a reward for making it through a long day of school. They're great plain, but in a few steps, you can also have a delicious after school snack. Crunchy celery is filled with creamy peanut butter and topped with the crackers. If your child has an allergy to peanuts, substitute cream cheese for the peanut butter. It's so simple that older children can help make and serve it to their younger siblings. To take a look at the recipe, read more
