Instead of going out to dinner, buy good food. Cooking at home shows such affection. In a bad economy, it's more important to make yourself feel good.
Ina Garten
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When my kids get home from school, after emptying their backpacks and putting stuff away, their first thought is food. Even though I send them to school with a healthy snack for the morning and a healthy lunch, they still come home ravenous. Time to refuel their growing bodies for homework time and afternoon activities.
I think of snacks as mini meals – half a sandwich, a small bowl of applesauce, or an apple with peanut butter. I start with the protein first since it helps my children stay full longer. Then, I add in a little healthy fat to help them feel full which means not asking for more food while I’m making dinner. On the side we have a glass of water to make sure the kids stay hydrated. Chances are they haven’t been drinking a lot of water in school despite my sending in 2 water bottles.
Since I don’t have time to prepare a snack when we walk in the door from school, preparation is key. I keep the fridge stocked with fruit, cheese, and peanut butter. During August, I stock the freezer with homemade snacks like black bean brownies, healthy cookies, granola bars, and zucchini mini muffins.
Snack Ideas and Tips
GAPs-friendly Snickerdoodles by Gutsy
Healthy Homemade Snack: Whole Grain “Cookies” by Eco Novice
What’s in Your Lunch Box Part 1 by Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy
Allergies in the Classroom: What’s Okay to Send in for Snack Time by Cynthia Lee at Whatever Works
Because I love meeting new people and sharing, this post is linked to:
Pennywise Platter, Frugal Food Thursday, Keeping It Real Thursday, Make Eat Grow, Healthy 2day Wednesdays, Fit and Fabulous Friday, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, Monday Mania, Frugal Tip Tuesday
I share because I care, so feel free to use any of my images as long as they are credited and accompanied by a link back to Frugal Local Kitchen. Failure to link back and credit my site as a source constitutes a copyright violation. Thanks!
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I added a recipe I make all the time. Granola is eaten for breakfast and snacks. Since it can be modified for picky kids it’s good staple recipe to work from.
Melinda@LookWhatMomFound…andDadtoo recently posted..Life’s A Ride. Enjoy It On A Schwinn – Giveaway
Love it! Kids? nope these are great snacks for me! I am putting the whole grain cookies on the menu for next week!
BTW – Thanks for linking up to Eat Make Grow. This week’s round went up this morning:
http://foyupdate.blogspot.com/2012/08/eat-make-grow-thursday-blog-hop-3.html
Thanks for featuring my snicerdoodle! LOve it! I added a few new snacks for you mom’s!
Thanks for sharing my site in this post!! What a wonderful blog you have here!
Amy @ Creative Kid Snacks
Thank you! I love the photos on your site. A picture is definitely worth a thousand words.
Saw your comment – my blog doesn’t let me comment back (moving to WordPress soon though!). I haven’t sent the peanut butter balls to school yet, but I could – our school policy is simply a peanut free table – so my daughter often takes a peanut butter sandwich for lunch. You could probably make them with sunbutter instead of peanut butter – that might taste good and it would be peanut free!
Congratulations Barb! I you got the most clicks on last weeks blog hop so you get are our featured post for our Eat Make Grow Blog Hop this week! You can pick up a featured blogger badge on this weeks hop: http://foyupdate.blogspot.com/2012/08/eat-make-grow-thursday-blog-hop-4_23.html
You are also added to our Pinterest Board: http://pinterest.com/marigoldhaske/eat-make-grow-blog-hop-featured-posts/
Foy
Foy Update recently posted..Eat Make Grow Thursday Blog Hop #4
I am always looking for healthy snack ideas. I’m bookmarking your site. I found your link on Eat Make Grow.
Lyza May @Chic Shades of Green recently posted..Proposition 37, Are You For GMO Labeling or Against it?
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