No Bake Granola Bars

Annie and I made these yesterday and they are delicious!!! I love that you can basically start with the base and add whatever you want to them. We just did raisins and walnuts... yum! Next time I think we may do apricot/almond/coconut! 

ANY FRUIT & ANY NUT NO‐COOK CHEWY BARS

1/3 cup each coarse chopped almonds and pecans (or any nut /nuts you choose)- you can also omit

1/2 cup honey**

2 1/2 cups rolled oats

3/4 cup dried apricots, prunes, figs or medjool dates

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup shredded coconut (optional)

1/2 cup dried cranberries, raisins or other dried berries

** You can substitute fruit puree, maple syrup, brown rice syrup or natural sweetener of your choice

1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Spread nuts on a baking sheet and toast 8 ‐10 mins until light brown (optional- or buy already toasted)

2. Warm honey until thin consistency (if honey is viscous). In processor, add oats, dates (or prunes etc), cinnamon and honey. Pulse until dates are chopped and oats are incorporated

3. Scrape mixture into a medium bowl, add in remaining dried ingredients and using damp hands incorporate the ingredients together

4. Turn the oat mixture out onto a baking sheet lined with wax or parchment paper. Using damp hands press the mixture out into an approx 6 x 12” rectangle. You can also roll between two sheets of parchment paper. Place in freezer for 30‐40 minutes

5. Turn rectangle out onto cutting board and cut into 16 squares. Can refreeze or chill

Source: Sunset Magazine (adapted)

Enjoy!

Kid Friendly Snack Ideas!

Hi All!


I've taken a pretty big break here, but I'm back at it. Figured I'd post a few of my favorite snack tips for kids to give you some new ideas for 2012!

Plain yogurt with low sugar jam… also in smoothies

Baked chips and salsa

Whole grain English muffin with cream cheese

Whole Grain Pretzels with cheese or nut butters

Frozen juice and yogurt pops

Yogurt Ranch dip and veggies- easy to make! Yogurt, dill, garlic powder and salt.

Falafel/ Veggie Patties- available at Costco

Trail Mix- combo or nuts, dried fruit and granola

Sweet potato and/ or kale chips… bake in oven with oil and salt til crispy

Muffins made with whole what flour and fruits/ veggies like blueberries, sweet potatoes, etc.

Cheese and Fruit Kabobs

Whole grain cereals

Enjoy!

Feeding Kids is Not Always Easy!

Sometimes it’s actually downright hard to keep your kids eating healthy. They have minds of their own... each with individual preferences, tastes and opinions. And they can be stubborn. Very stubborn.

Last night I made chicken tacos for the family. We had corn tortillas, shredded chicken breast, tomatoes, cheese, rice, black beans and yellow peppers. Plus I made some softer veggies for Max since the raw ones are too hard for him.

This is what he thought of it.

It’s very frustrating because I’m really ready to stop nursing and transition him to whole milk. I’d like him to be eating more solid foods to ensure he’s getting a balanced diet. But last night he had plans of his own. It was so tempting to just keep giving him shredded cheese so he'd be quiet during dinner. But we didn’t…we just sat and listened to him whine and whine and whine.  Ugh.

It’s tough no doubt, but starting good habits early is essential. Here are a few tips to keep your kids eating well:

• Have them eat what you eat… and you need to set a good example! I’ve mentioned this before, but my kids eat what we do. Period. If they don’t eat they don’t get anything else. Don’t worry, they will make up for it with other meals.
• Be consistent with meals. Have snacks and meals at about the same time every day. Kids like to know what to expect and thrive on structure.
• Be mindful of snacks and milk between meals. Snacks are OK, but they should be just that- a snack. Too much food or drink between meals will keep kids from eating at mealtime. The majority of calories should come from the family meals, not from snacks.
• Food is for hunger, not boredom. Don’t use food as a way of keeping kids quiet. I see it all of the time in church, the store, the car etc… This teaches children that mindless eating is ok and that food is an acceptable cure for boredom. A habit like this can get particularly destructive into adolescence.
• Let them try sweets. I’ve seen parents that never let their kids have any sweets when they are young and once they are over at a friend’s house… they can’t stop with the cookies! Sweets are good every now and then. It teaches kids to appreciate food (we bake with Annie) and understand that sweets are a “sometimes food, not an always food.”

Feeding kids is certainly not easy, but remember food is fun! Teach kids about cooking, baking and the joy of eating. It all helps create a healthy relationship with food for a lifetime!