Beauty...
You know those moments when your house just seems too quiet? Like someone must be up to no good? In my house, it’s normally because either Brooks and Scarlett have found their way into the pantry and in the process of sneaking a snack. I’ve caught each of them red handed, on separate occasions.
So, what does a momma do? She either moves the snacks to a higher shelf or switches up the choices. Many of the packaged snacks, even the so-called healthy ones, are processed and can contain a ton of sugar, preservatives, and hidden chemicals. To ensure that it’s as fresh and healthy as possible (and that your kids will actually eat it!) it just takes some creativity and luckily, little effort.
In the first chapter of my new book, Everyday Chic I shared a few of our favorite healthy and fresh snack options that make feeding your family a breeze.
These kabobs can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge. Poke a hole in a paper or foil cupcake wrapper or a small square of butcher paper with the kabob stick and position in at the base of the skewer. This helps catch the drips and crumbles. Kids love being able to pick what goes on their skewer so let them pick their ingredients and go to town. Here are some of our tried and true ingredients to mix and match:
Fruit & Berry Kabob: strawberries, grapes, blueberries and cantaloupe.
Sandwich On a Stick Kabob: soft cubes of wheat bread, cubes of cheddar cheese, small pieces of chicken and arugula.
Veggie & Cheese Please Kabob: cherry tomatoes, Persian cucumbers, little mozzarella balls.
Dessert Kabob: Marshmallow stacked with grapes and chocolate covered raisins. This is Brooks and Scarlett’s favorite. Could you guess?!
Or just get creative! Grapes and turkey, prosciutto and cantaloupe. Lay out the ingredients and let the kids make their own.
Basically, these are like little open-faced sandwiches and are so satisfying and delicious. Top your favorite whole grain toast with the following healthy toppings:
Rainbow radishes with cream cheese and dill
Almond butter with dried fruit and honey
Ricotta, orange, mint, and honey
Hummus with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, feta, and cilantro
Mashed or sliced avocado with lemon zest, lemon juice, red pepper, and green onion
Avocado with chives and black pepper
Pears with goat cheese and thyme
I included this recipe on my YouTube channel but we love it so much that I had to include it in my book, too! They are so easy and if frozen, they last up to 3 weeks.
Ingredients:
2 cartons fresh blueberries
½ cup Greek yogurt
2 tsp honey
In a medium bowl, gently mix together the blueberries, yogurt, and honey. Scrape out the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the baking sheet and put in the freezer for 1-2 hours. Cut into bite-size pieces and enjoy! Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 weeks.
For more snack ideas and family-friendly meals, make sure to pick up a copy of my book, Everyday Chic: My Secrets for Entertaining, Organizing, and Decorating at Home! Available here, and where books are sold.
What are your favorite recipes for kids snacking? Let me know if you tried out any of mine or feel free to share your ideas at letstalk@mollysims.com. I’d love to hear from you!