After School Snacks and Healthier Halloween treats!

My kids love that I have them a little snack ready for them right when they get home from school.  I find that If I have it prepared and ready for them to eat, they are of course less likely to go searching through the cupboards and grab stuff that isn't that great and isn't going to satisfy their tummies long enough until dinner time. It's fun to think of things to give them, but honestly sometimes I am scrounging to find something real quick because I forgot..haha, I know they will be disappointed if I don't have it ready.  I teach piano directly after they get home from school, so I have no time to prepare it after that. It's gotta be ready and quick.

I made this Banana Bread and they had a slice with a box of raisins and milk when they got home yesterday. Apples with PB or almond butter or yogurt is always a hit. Yogurt with berries and granola.  String cheese and a piece of fruit, cubed ham, olive, cucumber and cheese kabobs.  Be creative and make it fun for your kids, it also teaches them what good snack options are.  Since it's so close to Halloween there are some fun things to do.  

I plan on making this one for them sometime soon.  Cute!

from Super Healthy Kids

You might remember seeing this on my Facebook page 

I love it! Not only a great idea to hand out on Halloween, but a fun Halloweenish (is that a word ;) type snack for your kids that they would love.

Honestly my kids do get tired of "Mom's Healthy Stuff" ALL the time..they are my little guinea pigs :)  
They would be surprised if I let them have "candy" when the get home.
Shhhhh...don't tell them that this is "Healthy" Halloween candy! :)

can't wait to try some of the fun options.

Can't wait to find some fun stuff for Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Do you have some great after school snack ideas or Healthier Halloween treats??

I Love Peanut Butter!!

It's National Peanut Butter Day!!
How Fun! It is seriously one of my favorite things! So why not celebrate.  It can be a healthier snack.... with portion control of course :) and especially if you go for the more all- natural kinds.  My latest discovery is PB2.  It's a Peanut Butter powder, great for mixing in smoothies and other recipes.  For a spread you just mix with water and it's awesome! It's so much healthier. They have quite a few recipe ideas here. Maybe you can find a store near you that has it or stock up on a few for food storage to save on the shipping from the site. Another option Make your own Peanut Butter with a Vitamix if you are lucky enough to have one....It's sooooo on my Wish List! I wish, I wish, I wish!

Anyway, here is a round up of some really great Peanut Butter recipes that I can't wait to try!

 

Tone It Up Protein Peanut Butter Cup Shake 
source: http://www.toneitup.com/

1 Scoop Chocolate protein powder (whey or organic brown rice)
1 Cup Almond Milk
2 Tbs. Peanut Butter
1/2 Cup Ice

Blend ingredients in food processor and enjoy!

Peanut Butter Oatmeal

source: http://www.toneitup.com/

1/2 Cup Old Fashion Oats
1 Tbs. All-Natural Peanut Butter
1 Cup Almond Milk (or water)

Cook Oats in Almond Milk according to package instructions. Stir in peanut butter until evenly mixed.

Lighten Up Peanut Butter Cookies
source: http://www.toneitup.com/

1 Cup All-Natural Peanut Butter (creamy)
3/4 Cup Agave Syrup
2 egg whites
1 tsp. natural Vanilla extract
3/4 Cup All-Natural flour (whole wheat or gluten-free)
3/4 Cup Oats
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

Mix peanut butter, egg whites, agave and vanilla together in a small mixing bowl. In a separate bowl combine flour, oats and baking soda. Mix the contents of the two bowls together and stir thoroughly. Let the better chill for about half an hour before placing small amount of the batter evenly on a cooking sheet. Preheat oven to 375 and bake for 10 minutes or until your cookies are lightly browned.

*Here is some Healthy Icecream using Bananas, Cocoa & Peanut Butter....Yum! In need of a treat...there ya go! :) Step by Step easy instructions here

How about some "Nut Butter Nuggets." Uh- Yes! OH my! What a fun little snack.

Allergic to peanuts....sorry :( Ignore this post...hehe. Use some Almond Butter instead.  I feel bad making yummy things like this in front of my allergic daughter, but Almond butter should work just fine. I for one CANNOT give up PB :)

MMMMmmmm....let me know if you try any of these recipes or if you have some yummy healthier versions of your own.

POPCORN the Healthy way!

On the weekends I feel like I have to have popcorn if we are watching a movie or when I want a snack.  Microwave popcorn isn't the greatest for you, so here is what I do instead.  Pop popcorn kernels in a brown paper bag.  Oh my gosh! I love it and it's cheaper too! I usually add a little butter spray and popcorn seasonings that you buy next to the popcorn kernels in the store or a little sea salt.  Love! I feel like I'm splurging but it's fresh popcorn with no added chemicals or extra calories.  Less mess, faster and easier than using an air popper.  Can also use the stove with a lid :) But, this way is just more convenient.

Put 1/4- 1/2 cup kernels into brown bag, fold over twice.  Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes depending on your microwave.  Listen for the pops.  Don't let it burn. (Try putting the bag NOT in the center of your microwave or on a small plate if it keeps burning easily).  Add your seasonings and That's it!! Yummy!

Try different seasonings: You can buy Popcorn seasonings at the store or try garlic powder/onion powder, parmesan cheese, cinnamon and honey, taco seasoning, chili powder, etc. What ever your little heart (or tummy) desires. :)  I may try to add a little bit of olive oil and a pinch salt on top of the kernels before I pop it next time to see how it disperses the flavor that way.  I also want to try a little bit of oil, sugar (or sugar substitute) and cocoa for when I have a sweet tooth.  (if you add oil it might be smart to line the bottom of your bag with parchment paper to help it from seeping through the bag.  Popcorn is my favorite snack.  I'm excited to experiment more with this and sneak a bag in with me when I go to the movies so I don't feel tempted to get the super bad for you Movie popcorn....Shhhhh, don't tell! ;)

Let me know if you try it or if you have any other seasoning options or good tips for me!

Have a Happy & Healthy snacking weekend :)

Food substitutions and Good Snack ideas

I love Greek yogurt and look at what you can use it for......so much healthier! Yay!

You can still have treats! Why not create a healthier version of treats you love!! Be creative and use moderation always....but who said you can't treat yourself!! You won't even miss the real, but BAD BAD BAD version of it :)

PB2 is powdered.  It comes in chocolate or regular. Yes Please! Chocolate and PB the healthy way....my favorite combination!!  It's Peanut Butter without all the bad stuff.  Great to add to smoothies, mix with a little water to use as a spread.  Such a great option for healthier snacks.  Great for kids (who aren't allergic...my poor daughter, we love PB in this house! But she still likes almond butter and soy butter) Check out the site find recipes and other good for you peanut products as well.

I love Regular Peanut Butter, but look at this little chart below:
(hello look at all the calories you'll be saving with PB2 and you'll still get to have your treat)
Traditional Peanut Butter vs. PB2

                                                                                            

Traditional	PB2
2 Tbsp – 190 calories	2 Tbsp – 45 calories
Calories from fat - 130	Calories from fat – 13
Saturated fat – 3 grams	Saturated fat – 0 grams

*If you do Weight Watchers it's only 1 points plus per 2 tablespoons. 

You'll also find a recipe index on the site. Very cool!

I'm always looking for some good snack options, especially things to offer my kids so they don't get bored with my same Health snacks I make them eat :) We are trying to eat more healthy as a family and I'm trying to cook better and offer my hubby and kids only healthy but good snacks. Check out these good recipe substitution ideas and snacks. I love them!


80 Healthy recipe substitutions

"Eat this, Not That"

100 Healthier snack ideas

25 super snacks with 100 calories or less from Web MD


Have a great day!