Articles Tagged toddler snacks

frozen yogurt covered fruit pops

Posted by In Sock Monkey Slippers with 12 Comments

As a mom I sometimes find that snack time is more difficult than a meal time. When I could easily just say, “For the love of everything holy, If you’re hungry just grab a snack bar from the pantry!” — in the back of my  mind I still know that even snacks should resemble some nutritional value. Not to say I never grab a bag of Cheddar Goldfish in a hurry because it happens but a fruit and cheese plate on a daily basis can get boring fast. And we all know boring food to a toddler is going to end in a meltdown.

In our house creative toddler food is the answer to a healthy meal and what’s more fun than food on a stick? Seriosly, my child will eat anything on a stick.  I do love a state fair corndog once a year and that’s on a stick so I’m not going to argue. So when we started putting fruit on a stick I knew we had something.

These simple frozen yogurt fruit pops are one of Mia’s favorites and allows her to create her own healthy snack with Greek yogurt, fruit, nuts, and of course you have to have sprinkles.

Frozen Yogurt Covered Fruit Pops makes 12 pops

  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt*
  • 1 Tablespoon honey
  • large freezable fruit such as: bananas, kiwi, strawberries, mango
  • 12 cake-pop or thick lollipop sticks, 6″ long
  • toppings such as: chopped pecans, cashews, pistachios, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles
* Thick Greek yogurt is the best for this recipe. Be careful because not all Greek yogurts are the  same. Stay away from Yoplait and Dannon Greek yogurts that are made with fillers and additives. These don’t hold together well in this application and honestly I wouldn’t want all those additives and thickeners in my child’s system. Real Greek yogurt is made up of milk and live active cultures and is thick because it’s strained.

In a bowl, combine yogurt and honey. If you feel like you need to add a little more honey than suggested go right ahead. Mia likes hers tart. Place the bowl in the freezer for 5 minutes to thicken back up.

Slice fruit into large slices that will fit on a stick. Keep strawberries whole.

Prep the desired toppings. Chop nuts and chocolate, toast coconut, pour sprinkles…and place on a plate or in separate bowls.

Insert sticks into fruit.

Dip fruit into yogurt using a spoon to help spread the yogurt over the fruit.

Sprinkle desired topping over the yogurt covered fruit.

Besides eating, this is Mia’s favorite part.

Place the dipped fruit pops on a baking sheet covered with wax paper or parchment paper. Place in the freezer for 2 hours or until the yogurt is frozen.

Remove from the freezer and serve. Store in freezer bags in the freezer. If stored for a day or more they are best served when defrosted for at room temperature for a minute or two.

“yum. yum. yummy. yum.” – Mia

A great healthy snack for kids to make by themselves and perfect for the up and coming hot summer days.

 

roasted chickpeas

Posted by In Sock Monkey Slippers with 13 Comments

With a toddler and a beer nerd/ultramarathoner in this house it is imperative that there are healthy yet delicious (extra points if it pairs well with a cocktail) snacks on hand at all times.Crunchy, healthy, and satisfying, these roasted chickpeas do the trick. Inspired from a recipe  for cumin and yeast roasted chickpeas from an issue of Food & Wine, these roasted chickpeas using caned chickpeas are fast and simple to make.

Packed with protein, zinc, and folate, these crunchy and delicious roasted chickpeas are not only healthy but seriously addictive. Here are three of our favorite flavor combos: Sriracha, Lime, and Cilantro; Sea Salt and Rosemary; and Honey. The 3-year-old sidekick, Mia, loves the Sea Salt and Rosemary and Honey and can eat them faster than my husband. Best eaten warm but can be stored in an air-tight container, this amazing snack will be gone fast. Make extra.

Sriracha, Cilantro, and Lime Roasted Chickpeas

  • 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
  • 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Sriracha sauce*
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice (1 lime)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon grated lime zest (1 lime)
*Sriracha Sauce is a Thai pepper sauce available at most grocery stores. Look for the bottle with a rooster on it.
.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Rinse and drain chickpeas.
With a paper towel, pat dry the chickpeas. Not to worry if some of the skins come off.
In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, Sriracha sauce, lime juice and sea salt.
Add chickpeas to the sauce and toss to coat.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour the chickpeas evenly on the pan.
Place in the oven and roast for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring halfway through, until crunchy. Add cilantro and lime zest to the roasted chickpeas and toss to coat.
Allow to cool and serve. Best eaten warm… and with a beer.

Rosemary and Sea Salt Roasted Chickpeas

  • 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
  • 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped

Preheat oven to 400°F. Rinse and drain chickpeas. With a paper towel, pat dry the chickpeas. Not to worry if some of the skins come off. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, sea salt, and rosemary.

Add chickpeas to the bowl and toss to coat. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour the chickpeas evenly on the pan.
Place in the oven and roast for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring halfway through, until crunchy. Allow to cool and serve. Best eaten warm.

Honey Roasted Chickpeas

  • 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
  • 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Preheat oven to 400°F. Rinse and drain chickpeas. With a paper towel, pat dry the chickpeas. Not to worry if some of the skins come off. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, brown sugar, and sea salt. Add chickpeas to the bowl and toss to coat.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour the chickpeas evenly on the pan.

Place in the oven and roast for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring halfway through, until crunchy. Allow to cool and serve. Best eaten warm.