Strawberry Oat Smoothie

 

Sometimes we are in need of a quick, yummy snack that will actually fills up the kid's tummies. We eat a variety of snacks (everything from granola bars to cookies to pull-aparts to fruit to veggies), but sometimes they need a change.

I totally don't blame them.  I hate eating the same thing day in and day out.  I am a variety kind of girl and I think my kids inherited that from me.

Plus some days I get so tired of hearing "I'm hungry" over and over again that I have to come up with a protein filled snack that will fill them up for several hours and I can have my peace and quiet.

Smoothies are at the top of our list for so many reasons.
1. There are so many ways to make them that we haven't gotten tired of them yet.
2. You can have them for breakfast.
3. You can have them for a snack.
4. You can totally tailor them to certain people's picky needs (not going to mention which child that is of mine!).
5. They are just down right yummy.

This is one of our favorite versions lately. And the best part.  Their tummies are completely full for at least 2 hours.  That's a record at this house.

Strawberry Oat Smoothie

(click here for printable version)

* This makes 6 (8oz) portions

1 cup strawberries, washed, core removed, and quartered

1 banana, sliced

1/4 cup raw almonds

1/3 cup old fashioned oats

1 cup greek vanilla yogurt

1/4 cup milk

1 tsp maple syrup

1. Toss everything into a blender and let blend until completely smooth, at least 1-2 minutes.  Pour into cups and enjoy!

Healthy Banana Oat Bars

I find that as my kids get older, the more they want to eat after they get home from school.

Are your kids like that?

I always have to have something in mind for them to snack on or they get a little grumpy.  Our rule is one healthy snack first and then a not so healthy snack, because lets face it people, my kids are like me and love their chocolate and sugar!

Our healthy snacks are usually fruits and veggies but sometimes I try to spice it up a little bit for them.  This was definitely a crowd pleaser and the kids snacked on them all day long, which was just fine with them me since they are so healthy.

I loved the chewiness and texture they have plus you know me, with peanut butter and chocolate you can usually never go wrong!

p.s. sorry Emily it took me so long to get this up for you :)

Healthy Banana Oat Snack Bars

(click here for printable version)


3/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups puffed rice cereal, like Rice Krispies
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
3 very ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup plain yogurt ( I used vanilla and it tasted great!)
1/4 cup peanut butter or other nut butter (like nutella)
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips

1.  Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment or foil, leaving a slight overhang on each of the long edges. Lightly coat the pan with cooking spray and set aside.

2.  In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, rice cereal, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon, stirring well to combine. In a second large bowl, whisk the banana, honey, yogurt, nut butter, and vanilla until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.

3.  Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ones and stir until they come together, being careful to not overmix. Gently fold in the chocolate chips. Transfer to the prepared pan and flatten down lightly with a spatula or your clean hands. Bake for anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. I baked mine for only 18-20 minutes because I wanted them softer, like a cookie. If you want them firm and golden, continue baking until they are starting to brown on the top, more like 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely before removing from the pan and cutting into squares.  Enjoy!

Makes about 20 small bars

Source: Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Mango Pico De Gallo

So I need to get something off my chest (figuratively speaking of course).

I love to garden and take care of my yard.  It's one thing that gives me great joy.  I love to be outside with my hands in the dirt and watching things grow--must be the farm part coming out.

Because of this I take great pride in my yard and my garden (it's not all that to look at right now but one day it will be right!?!).  Last year I had to replant several things in my garden because of some neighbor children, which frustrated me greatly but I thought, okay we will fix that.

And up went a fence--to take in the ENTIRE backyard so my garden wasn't open to wandering children.

Fast forward a year.  When I came home several weeks ago, from Seattle, the first thing I noticed was that my beautiful, little but growing wonderfully apple tree was missing all its branches.  And I mean all its branches.

So of course instead of greeting my husband with a huge hug and kiss and telling him I was so glad to see him (which I was) I asked, "What happened to me tree?"  (Sorry honey, I did really miss you though!)

He didn't know anything had happened to it to I walked over and I found all it's missing branches stuck in the mud in our berm.  He did tell me that the 3 year old little neighbor boy (same neighbors as before) was playing out front about 5 minutes before I got home but he wasn't watching him and had only noticed he was out there.

I was so mad!  I have been mad for weeks!  It's not exactly a situation that you can go speak to the parents about so I have stewed and tried to "get over" it.  I missed saving my tree by 5 minutes!

So in honor of letting it go and replanting a peach tree in honor of my dead apple tree I have just told the world and I am over it.  No more bringing it up to everyone person who will listen to me anyone!  Hold me to it please.

Now back to the mangoes (thanks for letting me vent).  When we were in Seattle we had mango salsa on almost everything we ate.  I LOVE that stuff! It is amazing with pretty much anything.

And since we have been getting mangoes in our Bountiful Basket, I thought I would make some pico to go with chips one day for lunch and tacos for dinner.  

It was a huge hit.  Even the kiddos liked it. So tasty!

Mango Pico de Gallo

(click here for printable version)

2 ripe mangoes, cut in small cubes

1/4 c. cilantro leaves, diced

1/4 c. onion, diced finely

1 T. lime juice

1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed and diced finely

Kosher salt, to taste

1.  Combine all ingredients in medium bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.  Note: the mangoes will get mushy if you let them sit too long.  I like to do mine not more than 4-5 hours before I need it.

Sharing this with: Blue Cricket Design, Turning the Clock Back, Paisley Passions, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Creations by Kara, Everyday Tastes.

Muddy Buddies

  This is one of my kids favorite snacks (okay mine too if I have to admit it) and it is so fast and easy.

9 c. Rice Chex cereal

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 c. peanut butter

1/4 c. butter

1 t. vanilla

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar.

*  Put cereal in a large bowl.  In a medium, microwaveable bowl melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter until smooth, about 1 1/2  minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.  Add vanilla and mix well.  Pour over cereal and stir until well coated.  Add powdered sugar and stir again until well coated.  Eat and enjoy!