12-28-09 HEALTHY SNACKS

For this coming new year I would like to incorporate more healthy snacks into our diet.
I have been searching around for ways to make cheap, affordable snacks that I think the kids would eat.
Here is a list of recipes I have so far:

EAST FRUIT ROLL UPS

-1 jar any flavor applesauce (used as the base of the fruit roll)

-powdered flavored gelatin (sugar free would be healthier for you)

-You can get creative and sprinkle coconut or nuts on top of applesauce

Spray a fruit roll sheet (lightly) with any type of cooking spray. Place several tablespoons of applesauce on a fruit roll sheet, to make small roll-ups. Spread to 1/4 thickness, so they’re about 4" in diameter. You can fit 6-8 on a fruit roll sheet, depending on how large you make them. Place in tray of dehydrator. Dehydrate at 140° for approximately 5-7 hours or until top of fruit roll is tacky. Remove, roll-up and place in a zip-lock bag.

NOTE: Entire fruit roll sheet may be covered with applesauce mixture and then dehydrated. Cut into individual serving sizes.

Making canned fruit purée

Canned fruit, including baby food without tapioca, is suitable for fruit leather. Drain whole fruit and purée in a blender, using the appropriate speed, or grind in a food mill, using the finest blade.
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AIR POPPED POPCORN
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SUGAR-FREE JELL-O
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SUGAR-FREE POPSICLES
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PARFAIT: low fat yogurt layered with 1/4 cup whole grain cereal and 1/2 cup fruit.
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1/2 cup sugar-free white chocolate pudding (w/skim milk) and 3/4 cup mixed berries (blueberries, rasberries, blackberries or strawberries). It's really filling and less than 150 calories for the whole thing! I make the pudding by shaking the pudding mix and milk in a quart jar for ~1 minute and then pour it into 4 bowl-sized covered pyrex dishes. Then I just take one out, put fruit on it and voila! I buy the frozen berry mix at TJ's and either add half-frozen berries or use fresh if I have on hand. Fresh peaches and blackberries are also an amazing combination.
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TURKEY OR DEER JERKY

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FROZEN YOGURT POPS

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APPLES AND CREAM CHEESE DIP

* 5 medium apples; cored and sliced
* ½ cup orange juice
* 1 8-oz. package of cream cheese; at room temperature
* 2 tablespoons brown sugar
* 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

Preparation:
Directly after coring apples, place them in a large bowl and pour orange juice on them. Stir so that the apples are coated. This will keep them from getting brown.

Using a mixer in a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, brown sugar and vanilla. Place into four individual dipping bowls.
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mix jello and any flavor yogurt to make this easy snack for kids.
Prep Time: 2 hours
Ingredients:

* 2 small boxes of Jello
* 8 ounce yogurt in complimentary flavor

Preparation:
Add 2 cups boiling water to Jello, stir until dissolved. Add in yogurt.

Refrigerate like any other Jello.

To make it into Jigglers add in 2 envelopes of unflavored gelatine to Jello and boiling water and pour into pan.
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APPLE SLICES WITH PEANUT BUTTER

# 2 apples
# 3-4 Tbsp. peanut butter
* 2 Tbsp. granola

Preparation:

1. Wash and core apples. Slice crosswise into 1/4-inch slices.

2. Spread peanut butter over apple slices.

3. Sprinkle granola over top.
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NUTTELLA WAFFLE SANDWICHES

* 4 frozen whole grain waffles
* 1/4 cup Nutella
* 1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries (optional)

Preparation:

1. Toast waffles according to package directions.

2. Spread Nutella on one side of each waffle.

3. Top two of the waffles with sliced strawberries. Place remaining waffles, Nutella side down, on top of the strawberries. Cut in half and serve.
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SALSA WITH WHEAT CRACKERS OR TORTILLA CHIPS

EASY MILD SALSA

* 1 1/2 c Tomatoes; chopped; peeling -optional
* 1/2 c Onion red; minced
* 1/2 c Bell pepper red; minced
* 1/2 c Bell pepper green; minced
* 3 tb Cilantro; minced (optional)
* 3 tb Olive oil

2.5 to 3 cups

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MAKE YOUR OWN BREAD- BREAD MACHINE

OATMEAL BREAD


Ingredients

* 1/2 cup lukewarm apple juice (or applesauce)
* 3/4 cup lukewarm milk
* 2 tablespoons brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon margarine
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
* 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

Directions

1. Place ingredients into the pan of the bread machine in the order suggested by the manufacturer. Select White Bread or Basic cycle, and Start.

WHOLE WHEAT BREAD


Ingredients

* 3/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
* 1 tablespoon powdered egg substitute (optional)
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 2 tablespoons sugar (can use Splenda substitute)
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup bread flour
* 1 cup whole wheat flour
* 1 teaspoon rapid rise yeast

Directions

1. Dissolve egg substitute in warm water. Place all ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Whole Wheat cycle and Regular bake time; press Start.
2. After 5 minutes, check how the dough is kneading, it may need either 1 tablespoon of flour or 1 tablespoon of water, depending on the consistency. Once the bread is done, allow it time to cool on a wire rack before cutting.

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Use these recipes below as ways to sneak in fruits and vegetable and other healthy things into a kids diet when they refuse to eat them alone. If you don't
have a blender to puree fruits and vegetables try using baby food.



BANANA BANANA BREAD

***Try replacing the all purpose flour with wheat flour for a healthier bread :0)
Splenda makes a brown sugar blend which is half the calories of regular
brown sugar. According to their website you would use 1/2 the amount
of Splenda brown sugar than what the recipe calls for.
This recipe below calls for 3/4 cup. You would only need to use about 1/3 cup
plus about a Tablespoon of the Splenda brown sugar.


Ingredients

* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup butter
* 3/4 cup brown sugar
* 2 eggs, beaten
* 2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.



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-SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Whether making your own or using store bought sauce
puree some spinach, carrots, peas or broccoli and add to the sauce.

-When making mashed potatoes puree some cauliflower and add to it.

-Puree vegetables and add them to meats when making things
like meatloaf, hamburgers or meatballs.

-Add carrots or zucchini to breads, cakes, cookies and muffins.

-POPSICLES AND MILKSHAKES

Mix healthy yogurt and pureed fruits to make a frozen snack or drink.

-Dice up vegetables into really small pieces when adding to casseroles, soups
or other dishes.

-Use a juicer to make your own drinks. Make your own V-8 Smoothies with
fruits, vegetables or a combination of both.