snacks

Healthy Snacks: Sesame and Flaxseed Crackers

You don't need to tell your family how healthy these crackers are...just serve them with some cream cheese, nut butters or even hummus for a great crunchy snack!  

 

These are a cinch to make and are very high in fibre and omega-3 fatty acids. You can use whole flaxseeds to make the crackers look prettier, but ground flaxseeds are more nutritious.

 

sesame and flaxseed cracker recipe

 

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups all-purpose whole wheat flour

¼ cup flaxseeds, ground

¼ cup sesame seeds

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 ½ tsp salt

1/3 cup melted unsalted butter

1/3 cup milk

¼ cup all-purpose whole wheat flour (for dusting)

 

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, brown sugar and salt. Drizzle butter over and stir to combine. Drizzle over with milk and stir until a dough forms. Chill dough 20 minutes.

 

2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cut dough in half. On a heavily dusted countertop, gently flatten the dough into a disk, turning it over several times to cover in flour and prevent sticking. Roll out each piece as thinly as possible. Using a pizza cutter or chef’s knife, cut into 1 inch squares, or use a juice cup and stamp into round crackers. It’s best to bake remnants rather than roll out again; this dough requires a light touch.

 

3. Arrange cut crackers on 2 ungreased baking sheets and put in the upper and middle racks of the oven. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, switching bottom and top baking sheets halfway through. Store in covered container for up to 2 weeks.

 

photo credit

Recipe by Madeleine Greey.

 

Posted by momstown team on 05/03/2013 - 10:21
Labels:
ShareThis share this post

Kid's Snacks: Triple Hitter Muffins

 

This is a great snack to get the kids helping in the kitchen!  Lots of little tasks to be done to create this healthier snack for your family. The momstown Victoria moms, dad and toddlers took turns helping to grate the zucchini and carrots, measuring the wet and dry ingredients, and whisking everything together. These healthy treats are also chock full of fruit and veggies.


triple hitter muffins

Ingredients:

¼ cup (50 mL) vegetable oil

½ cup (125 mL) brown sugar

1 egg

¾ cup (175 mL) applesauce

1 cup (250 mL) grated carrots

1 cup (250 mL) grated zucchini

1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose whole wheat flour

¾ cup (175 mL) all-purpose flour

2 tsp (10 mL) baking powder

1 tsp (5 mL) cinnamon

½ tsp (2 mL) nutmeg

½ tsp (2 mL) salt

 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, whisk together oil and sugar. Beat in egg, then applesauce. Stir in carrots and zucchini.

 

2. In another large bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.

 

3. Fold dry ingredients into wet, until just mixed. Grease 2 mini-muffin trays. Spoon batter to the very top of muffin cups and bake 15 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean when inserted in a muffin.

 

Recipe and photo from Today's Parent.

 

Posted by momstown team on 05/03/2013 - 09:51
Labels:
ShareThis share this post

Make your own Trail Mix with the Kids

momstown moms and kids love to go exploring!  One important thing to pack when you are going on an adventure is a snack.  Set up a fun "Trail Mix Bar" and let preschoolers make their own trail mix to fill their hungry bellies.

 

create your own trail mix

 

Trail Mix Bar Ideas

pretzel sticks
banana chips
raisins
marshmallows
chocolate Cheerios
Shreddies
dried cranberries or other small pieces of dried fruit
Goldfish crackers
popcorn (for older children)
chocolate chips
mini teddy bear cookies or animal crackers
Smarties (nut-free)

 

1.  Let the kids decorated some paper bags to hold their trail mix. 

 

2.  The kids lined up to go along the bar to put their snacks into their own bags.  Remember to teach the kids about using spoons and tongs (great for fine motor skills) to keep from spreading germs!

 

3.  Take this as an opportunity for kids to try new things!  It was great to see the kids learning that they liked one of these new snack items!

 


The preschoolers loved this super easy snack that they can eat with their hands.  While we sat down to eat the trail mix we talked about Spring and some of the great places to explore.

 

Submitted by momstown Hamilton

Posted by momstown team on 04/29/2013 - 11:08
Labels:
ShareThis share this post

5 Cute Earth Day-Inspired Snacks

April 22nd is Earth Day.  A day to celebrate the earth and teach our kids about how they can help change their carbon footprint.  While you are reading some great books or creating some Earth Day crafts, how about making these Earth-inspired treats with your child.  One more way to help you child understand the world in which we live!

 

1.  Create these Earth Muffins or Earth Shaped Cake (gluten free) by separating the green and blue batter.

 

earth day muffins 

earth day cake

 

2.  Create worms in dirt with chocolate pudding, crushed chocolate cookie crumbs (like Oreos) and gummy worms! 

 

earth day snacks

 

3.  Switch up your usual recipes, like Rice Krispie Squares, and add blue and green food colouring to make spheres or put them on sticks, this these.

 

earth day treats

 

4.  This Earth Day cake is amazing from Rock UR Party.

 

earth day snack ideas

 

5.  Enjoy the fruits of the Earth but in a new and creative way, like these ones in waffle cones.

 

earth day snacks

Posted by momstown team on 04/07/2013 - 09:29
Labels:
ShareThis share this post

3 Healthy Snack Recipes using Kale, Chickpeas and Granola

Snacking choices are tough when you are watching your weight.  You still want the savoury and sweet, but without the fat and calories.  Here are some great alternative snacks that will satisfy those taste buds and help you stay healthy!

 

1.  Roasted Honey and Cinnamon Chickpeas

 

roasted chickpeas with honey and cinnamon

Ingredients:

1 can chick peas
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp honey
1/8 tsp sea salt

 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 °F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

2. Drain and rinse chickpeas in a colander. Place them on a towel to dry off.

3. Spread chickpeas on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until crispy. Test one; if it’s still soft, bake for longer.

4. While the chickpeas are still hot, toss them in a bowl with the oil, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Enjoy as is, or for a caramelized effect, place them back in the oven for another 10 minutes.

5. Store leftover chickpeas in an airtight container (but let’s be honest, there won’t be any leftovers, will there?!)

 

2.  Baked Kale Chips

 

kale chips


Ingredients:

Kale
Olive Oil
Seasoning (optional)


Directions:

1.  Wash kale and tear leaves from the stem.

2.  Drizzle with olive oil (I kinda rubbed it to make sure each piece got some)

3.  Sprinkle with seasoning of your choice, a little goes a long way (I did cajun, a touch of salt and pepper)

4.  Bake at 400F for 20 min or until crispy.

 

3.  Granola Balls

 

granola balls

 

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup ground flax seed
1 1/3 cup shredded coconut, 1 cup peanut butter
2/3 cup honey, 1 tbsp vanilla
1/3 cup chocolate chips (70% cocoa is the healthiest option)

Directions:

MIX, ROLL, REFRIGERATE, EAT!!


Great thing about these is that you can switch up any of the ingredients.

 

Here's a few ideas:
Instead of ground flaxseeds, use hemp seeds, or chia seeds. (All 3 are a really great protein/fiber!)
Instead of peanut butter use almond butter, and switch the vanilla extract to almond extract!
If you’re not a chocolate fan, chop up some dried cranberries, or dried fruit of your choice!
If you want to make it an even healthier option, use buckwheat honey!!

 

These recipes were shared by momstown Brampton at her "Mom's Nutrition Night"!

 

Posted by momstown team on 04/02/2013 - 17:03
Labels:
ShareThis share this post

12 Great Snack Ideas for Kids On-the-Go

One of the many challenges we face as moms is what to pack for those outings with our toddlers and preschoolers.  We all know that healthier choices are made a home, but it does take planning and time to make sure that you pack great snacks when you are on-the-go.

 

12 snacks on the go for kids 

Here are our momstown favourite snacks-to-go;

 

1.  Dip it!  All kids love to dip whether its carrots and hummus or apples and yogurt, it's healthy and good for moms and kids! 

2.  Buy it! Pre-packaged Toddler snacks are easy and good for toddlers, in a pinch. 

3.  Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls on the Go- this gluten and nut-free snack is a simple treat to make and even freeze.

4.  While granola bars might be your usual grab and go snack, try the new no-sugar added varieties like these from SunRype.

5.  Freeze it! Mini Muffins are a great snack to have on hand and freeze easily.  These banana chocolate chip muffins are so moist and low in sugar and fat.

6.  Older kids will enjoy these ooey gooey Shreddies popcorn peanut butter treats for a quick snack-on-the-go. 

7.  Squeezable fruit is fun to take on the run for toddlers- be sure to check the ingredients for added sugars!

8.  Nut butter (or soy butter) plus oatmeal and some chia and flax will create these portable balls of healthy yumminess! 

9.  Roll it! If you have a dehydrator at home, you and your child should make some homemade strawberry fruit roll ups to take with you!

10.  Yogurt drinks are perfect for travelling and now you can get them with a spill-proof, resealable lid! 

11.  Make it fun to go!  Cut sliced meat and cheese into cute shapes or on toothpicks and healthy snacks are easier to pack and go!

12.  Mix it up! Raisins, Goldfish crackers, pretzels and cereal tossed together is a perfect mix on the run!

 

 

Posted by momstown team on 03/20/2013 - 17:28
Labels:
ShareThis share this post

Making Edible Asteroids or Space Balls with Kids

3-2-1 Blast off!  We have been learning about the moon, stars and space, so now we need to create some fun snacks while we make our crafts and read about the galaxy beyond the earth!

 

You can have lots of fun making edible asteroids or "space balls" with a variety of ingredients- here are three ways to eat these fun snacks with your kids.

 

 

1. Our easy no-back Snow Balls can easily be called "Asteroid Balls" to fit with the space theme!

 making space ball snacks

2.  On the Go- Energy Space Balls

 making space ball snacks

 

3.  Healthy Peanut Butter Space Balls  

1 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. instant oatmeal
1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. sunflower seeds
1/2 c. raisins
Dash of cinnamon or nutmeg


Mix all ingredients. Roll into small balls (can be rolled in coconut). Refrigerate. (Great snack for kids). Photo credit.

peanut butter space balls

Posted by momstown team on 02/20/2013 - 13:31
Labels:
ShareThis share this post

10 Homemade Valentine Treats

One week until Valentine's day means you need ideas to make it special in your house! Do you have red food colouring on hand? Because it can make the ordinary, extraordinary!!

 

momstown dug up some favourite Valentine treats that we'd love to try this Valentine's Day!

Valentine Parfait: Stinkin' easy but so pretty! Your kids could help with the layering and decorating with foamy stickers and voila 'fancy' dessert!

Valentine Cheesecake Bites: What's not to love here?? Cute and delicious? I'm sold. AND yes, the littles can help with the cookie cutters and you score mama points too!

Candy Cane Valentine Heart Cupcakes: Have any candy canes still kicking around from Christmas? What a simple way to use them up in a Valentine way. Regular cupcake disguised as a Valentine! Little effort and maximum heart!

Valentine pretzel: Set up an assembly line for this treat for dipping into icing or melted chocolate and then sprinkles. A handful of these wrapped up would be a perfect Valentine gift for a special friend or teacher.

Pink Lemonade Valentine Pound Cake: Bring on the red / pink food colouring and colour this angel or coffee cake! This would be perfect for a princess birthday tea party too. Oh, the ideas!!

Valentine Candy Kabobs: Awesome kid friendly job to thread pink and red candies onto a skewer to share with friends. Might even replace a paper Valentine?

 

Valentine Vegan Cookies: No red foot dye here, just beet juice which is pretty brilliant really. It's so stainy, put it to productive use!

Heart On a Stick Fruit Kabobs: Put your cookie cutters to good use! The polar opposite of 'heart attack on a platter" with a platter of healthy hearts! You could create a platter of hearts or as pictured skewer with popsicle sticks for hearts on a stick!

Two Ingredient Valentine Fudge: Only two ingredients?? Yep. Frosting + White Chocolate Chips. Have fun making and eating these!

Divine Layered Valentine Cupcakes: Double the layers, double the fun? Despite being really pretty to look at, I've heard these are really delicious too with their creamcheese frosting.

 

Enjoy these Valentine treats and make room for your impressive kiddos at your kitchen counter.

 

For more great family-friendly meal ideas, recipes, and more, subscribe to our monthly newsletter!

Posted by momstown mama on 02/08/2013 - 23:58
Labels:
ShareThis share this post

6 Polar Animal Snacks to Make with Kids

After you have made your Polar Animal crafts, you need to make your polar animal snacks!  Here are some fun ways to take this Polar theme from adorable to a delicious!

 

While you are making these cute polar treats, you can watch and learn the actions to this cute Penguin Song or read some polar animal books!

 

1.  Polar Bear Rice Cakes are a fun and healthy treat to make with kids for a meal or snack, using foods they already love!

 

Ingredients:

Rice cake or English Muffin
Cottage cheese or Cream Cheesepolar bear snacks for kids
Raisins, Chocolate Chips, Cereal "Os"
Oreo cookie
Banana
Plastic knife

 
Directions:

Let children spread cottage cheese or cream cheese on a rice cake or english muffin. Use an oreo cookie for the polar bear's nose and black olives, cereal "Os", chocolate chips or raisins for the eyes. 

Add two banana slices for the eyes and enjoy!

photo credit: Twiggle magazine

 

 

2.  Penguin Cookie Treats are easy to make!

penguine snack from cookies

 

Ingredients:

Oreo or other white and black sandwich cookie

Candy corn, Smarties, marshmallows or Hershey's kisses

 

Directions:

Open the cookie and try to spread the cream filling on both halves.  Place one cookie above the other on the plate.

Decorate with eyes, beak, wings and feet (using marshmallows or candy corn).  You can also cut a "kiss" in half for the wings.

photo credit

 

 

3. Pear and Chocolate Penguins are healthy-ish and are fun to make!  Be sure to follow instructions for melting chocolate.  This snack is really fun because you can decorate your plate with jello for ice blocks and shredded coconut for snow! 

pear and chocolate penguin snack

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Penguin- Using Hard Boiled Eggs, Olives or Timbits!

 

Olive Penguin (photo credit)

penguin snacks

 

Ingredients:

Two jumbo olives

Carrot

Veggie dip or cream cheese

 

 

Directions:

You will create the feet from a round slice of carrot. Lay the slice flat on cutting board and starting in the center make two diagonal cuts to the sides in the shape of a "V".

For the body, take a jumbo black olive and cut a slit in it from top to bottom. Fill the slit in the olive with veggie dip or cream cheese and place it on top of the carrot feet.

Place the "V" that you cut out of the carrot feet into the other olive to create a beak and set it on top of the stuffed olive.

Hold the snack together by inserting a toothpick through the whole creation, from the head, through the stuffed olive body, down to the carrot feet for a delightful and healthy creation for your preschoolers.

 


 

You can also make a fun penguin dessert using two chocolat timbits, white icing and some candy!

 

 

Or

Create a cute penguin with a hard boiled egg!

 

hard boiled egg penguin

 

 

5.   Seal Sandwich

cute seal sandwich for kids

 

Ingredients:

Any sandwich
Peeled clementine or cherry tomato
Pretzel stick
Black sprinkles or a chocolate chip
cream cheese

Instructions:

Put two slices of bread together and cut out the shape of a seal.

Stand the seal on crust end. (The crust gives it a sturdy base.)

Use pieces of leftover crust for the flippers and tail.

Stick a pretzel into the center of the clementine.


Place the clementine or cherry tomato on top of the nose of the seal, pressing the pretzel stick into the sandwich for sturdiness (add cream cheese as glue if necessary). 


Using cream cheese as glue, glue a black sprinkle or chocolate chip in place for the eye.

photo credit

 

6.   Polar Bear Cupcakes are so adorable with stacked large and mini cupcake and top with coconut!

 polar bear cupcakes

 

 

 Enjoy! 

 

Posted by momstown team on 01/29/2013 - 13:44
Labels:
ShareThis share this post

Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

For a perfect and healthy treat for toddlers, big kids AND their mommies, you HAVE to try this recipe!  Not only are they the most moist muffins you have ever tried, they have such healthy ingredients and high fibre (be warned).  Note: these mini muffins have about 1 Weight Watchers Point, with large having about 3 points.

 

 

Make large or mini muffins for this lunchbox treat or perfect for snack time on the go!

 healthy banana chocolate chip muffins

 

 

Ingredients:

 

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/4 cup oatmeal

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup sugar

2-3 ripe bananas (the more bananas, the more moist your muffins will be)

1/3 cup melted butter or margarine

1 egg

chocolate chips as desired!

 

 

1.  Preheat oven to 375

 

2.  Mix dry ingredients together.

 

3.  Mash bananas in a separate bowl and mix in egg and melted butter/margarine

 

4.  Mix all together and add chocolate chips

 

5.  Bake for 11-13 minutes for mini muffins, 20-24 for large

 

Trust me....you won't be able to eat just one!

Posted by momstown team on 01/06/2013 - 10:12
Labels:
ShareThis share this post
1234567next ›last »