LilSugar

Delilicious: After School Snacks That Won't Spoil Dinner

LilSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:00:34 -0700

Breakfast was a brain-stimulating balance of eggs, fruit and whole-grain cereal, their lunch bags may have been filled with sandwiches cut into fun shapes. But once the children walk in the door from school, all they can think about is their growling stomachs.

Satisfy your hungry students with after-school snacks that provide nourishment without killing their dinner appetite. Skip the cartoon character decorated, pre-packaged snacks and give them something inspiring. The key to keeping it healthy and exciting is having fresh ingredients on hand – be it leftovers or an assortment of fruit and vegetables that are already washed, cut and ready to go. Try some of these ideas.

Ants on a Log mixes protein and vegetables and look fun on a plate.
A brown paper bag filled with air popped corn is healthy and reminiscent of a trip to the theater.
Left over sloppy joes can be added to small whole wheat rolls for some fun-to-eat sliders.
Rachael Ray's Banana-sicles are as fun to make, as they are to eat.
Homemade smoothies can be made with frozen fruit, making them a perfect treat year round.
Open the freezer and have your children munch on frozen grapes or yogurt tubes.

What is your child's favorite after-school snack?

Do Your Kids Indulge in Sweets More Over the Summer?

LilSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:00:24 -0700

Think twice before letting your lil ones indulge in their favorite snacks this Summer. Sunny days spent outdoors often lead families to the ice cream truck for respite from the heat and humidity, but those little treats add up. According to WebMD, without the structure of school programs, many tots don't get the physical activity they need to burn off the fat and calories their snacks pack in.

Trips to the beach, state fair and carnival offer up a buffet of unhealthy foods. Among the worst offenders are:

Baskin Robbins' Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Sundae: 1,250 calories, 81 grams fat, 91 grams sugar.
Cold Stone Creamery Dark Chocolate cone: 800 calories, 47 grams fat, 68 grams sugar.
Fried macaroni and cheese: 572 calories, 33 grams fat, 1,840 milligrams sodium.
Cherry Slurpee: 240 calories, 64 grams sugar.
Corn dog and fries: 770 calories, 1,600 milligrams sodium.

For a look at more very sweet treats, read more.

Fried dough: 360 calories, 20 grams fat.
Dunkin Donuts Blueberry Muffin: 510 calories, 16 grams fat, 490 milligrams sodium, 51 grams sugar.
Nestle Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich: 500 calories, 24 grams fat, 40 grams sugar.
Lemonade: 198 calories, 51 grams sugar.

Do you throw the rules out the window in the Summer and let the kids dive into more unhealthy snacks than usual?

Delilicious: Fruity Smoothie

babysugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:00:09 -0700

Dust off that old blender and pull out your shorts. Spring is here and fruits are ripe for the picking. Fill your tots up with vitamin rich treats that will cool them off and put a smile on their face. Extra sneaky moms can toss in flax seeds, silken tofu or wheat germ for added oomph.

To see what I use for my smoothies, read more.

Fruit Smoothies
Original Recipe

Ingredients

One cup of fresh fruit
One cup yogurt
One cup orange juice or milk
One cup ice

For a citrus flavor, use orange juice along with pineapples and strawberries.
For a more tropical taste, use milk, bananas, shreds of coconut and pineapples.
For a berry flavor and a heavy dose of antioxidants, use orange juice, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries.

Directions
Place all ingredients in the blender and pulse. If you want to add bonus value to the smoothie, throw in flax seed, silken tofu, wheat germ, or protein powder and pulse again.

Print recipe with images | without images

When my fruits start to wimp out, I blend and freeze them into ice cubes so they can keep their freshness and be used for later smoothies or drinks.

Delilicious: Peanut Butter Packets

LilSugar — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 05:00:30 -0800

Need a quick snack that packs a fast protein punch? My daughter can't get enough of Justin's Honey Peanut Butter Packs. The 1.15 ounce sleeves (.50) are slim and portable, which make them kid-friendly and easy to slip in mommy's purse. Each one contains 7 grams of protein. Original and cinnamon peanut butters are also available as are the same flavors of almond butter. Swap out the old soggy sandwich with this delicious and nutritious organic snack.

Update: This post was timed before the FDA issued its warning. Click the link to get more information.

Delilicious: Cheese, Onion, and Olive Toasts

LilSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:00:16 -0800

If your kids get a case of the midnight munchies tonight, steer clear of sugar treats and curb their hunger with a more nutritious snack. Now matter how picky a tot is, they usually have a taste for toast and cheese. So whip up this incredibly easy, warm appetizer that takes a matter of minutes and uses a handful of ingredients. Simply mix shredded cheddar cheese with a sprinkle of finely sliced green onion, and then sprinkle in some diced black olives. Spread the mix on baguette slices and pop it in a 350°F oven until the cheese bubbles. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving to those with tired eyes and growling bellies. For parents and those with more adventurous pint-sized palates, substitute the cheddar cheese with Monterey jack and add some diced green chilies.

Lil Tip: Pack a Snack

LilSugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:00:41 -0700

Mamas always remember to tuck cheerios, yogurt tubes, raisins and boxed drinks into their bags for their children, but they don't necessarily think to pack a snack for themselves. For women on the move, it's important to keep some healthy munchies like dried fruit, sliced veggies, a handful of nuts or a granola bar within their reach. That way they can refuel while running errands or waiting in the carpool line.

Lil Tip: Ice Cream Cones For Snacks

babysugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:00:39 -0700

While ice cream may be the most popular filler for ice cream cones, your wee ones will enjoy snacking on other coned goodies. Instead of ice cream, load up some cake cones with popcorn, pretzels, nuts, dried fruit, yogurt raisins, and M&Ms for other fun afternoon treats. As warm weather subsides in the upcoming seasons, the desire for iced-down treats may, too!

Source

Lil Tip: Stop the Banana Abuse!

babysugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 05:00:11 -0700

It's hard enough to keep bananas and peaches from getting squashed and bruised on the way home from the grocery. Try taking them to the park or on a trip and you'll often end up with a fruit smoothie type substance on the bottom of your bag.

This weekend I discovered a genius creation - the Banana Guard. The $7 ventilated invention locks up bananas for safe keeping and eating. Banana abuse be gone! The Froot Case and Fruit Guard, which are perfect for apples, peaches or other juicy fruits on the run, were made in a similar vein. When they plastic protectors aren't being used to keep fruit out of harm's way, they double as a distraction for kids.

Lil Tip: Healthy Snacks

LilSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:00:04 -0700

If your tot is tired of the same old snacks like cheese and crackers or baggies of sliced fruit or vegetables, mix them up. Last night, I tried two finger foods out on my 20-month-old son that he gobbled up. For fruity nibbles, take grapes and cover them in a layer of soft cheese like chevre, quark, or cream cheese, and then roll the balls on a plate of crushed almonds or pistachios. Chill and serve.

If you're looking for warm munchies, take the stems out of mushrooms and fill the centers with a blend of ricotta cheese and bit of pesto. Bake them until the cheese sets, then let them cool before serving.
Source

Make Your Own Fruit Roll Ups

partysugar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:13:33 -0700

What child doesn't love fruit roll ups? There is something so satisfying about peeling the strip of chewy, sweetened fruit off a piece of sheer plastic. When I was younger, I never would have guessed that fruit roll ups could be homemade! But sure enough, like most store-bought processed snack foods, fruit roll ups can be made in your very own kitchen. I double dare you to make some for your kids (or yourself) today! It takes a little bit of time, but the result is a rewarding and tasty snack. For a peek at the recipe, read more

Homemade Fruit Roll Ups
From Martha Stewart Kids
Source

2 cups dried apricots
3 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 160 degrees with rack in center.
Place apricots in a large bowl, and cover with the water; let soak until they are completely soft, 30 to 45 minutes. Transfer to a fine sieve; drain, and reserve liquid.
Place apricots in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade; add honey and sugar. Process until mixture is very smooth and easily spreadable. If it is too thick, add up to 1 tablespoon soaking liquid.
Cover two 10-by-15-inch baking sheets with plastic wrap. Divide puree between the sheets; spread in a thin, even layer with an offset spatula.
Let dry in oven until mixture is firm but slightly tacky, about 8 hours or overnight. Remove from oven; let cool.
Peel fruit leather from plastic wrap, and cut into 1-inch-wide strips using a pizza cutter. Roll tightly into cylinders, and serve.

Makes 30 roll ups.

Print recipe with images | without images