Sep 23rd, 2010 // Kid-tastic, Recipes, Snacks

Do you see that happy face? That is a direct result of popping popcorn in a giant pot on the stove top instead of microwaving it. I had no idea this would be such a thrill, but it truly was.

A few rogue kernels escaped when we were making it in this giant pot. Oh the squealing that ensued!

While the popcorn was still warm we gave it a good dusting of cinnamon and sugar and then stirred it up. It came out tasting a lot like kettle corn. So easy and so dee-lish! Now for the recipe… Read more after the jump…
Sep 23rd, 2010 // Kid-tastic, Recipes, Snacks

What you are looking at is a s’mores baked apple. There’s chocolate, graham cracker and marshmallow baked inside this delightful treat. As if that wasn’t good enough, we also made one with brown sugar, cinnamon and marshmallow. Now before you go off thinking this is an unhealthy snack, hear me out! It’s not THAT bad for a treat.

For the s’mores stuffed apple we used 1/2 a smore’s candy treat (about 35 calories) and one large marshmallow (22 calories) and a small apple (approx 55 calories). When you think about it 99 calories for a decadent after school snack is pretty awesome.

For the s’mores candy I used these brand new treats from Trader Joe’s. You could do the stuffing yourself with a graham cracker, chocolate chips and marshmallow.

We also stuffed another apple with cinnamon, brown sugar and a marshmallow on top. I really don’t know which one I liked better.

My kid was very into the stuffing process and very definitive about liking the cinnamon sugar one best. Now for the recipes… Read more after the jump…
Sep 22nd, 2010 // Giveaway, Kid-tastic, Recipes, Snacks

I buy whole wheat pita because I know it’s better for us, but I must admit I don’t like the taste as much as white pita. (Sometimes I just give in and buy the white stuff. For shame!) But, alas, now I’ve found the reason for whole wheat pita to exists – baked pita chips. O.M.G. I could eat 200 of these they are so good.

There are so many kid-friendly elements to making these chips. Including letting your kid cut them up into triangles using scissors and then inviting them to paint each chip with olive oil.

They bake up super fast and after a few minutes on the cooling rack you’ve got yourself a crispy, healthy and delicious snack.

They taste great on their own but even more fantastic with a nice white bean dip.

Look whose little hand immediately started grabbing for today’s snack! Now for the recipe… Read more after the jump…
Sep 21st, 2010 // Kid-tastic, Most Popular, Recipes, Snacks

Chickpeas aka Garbanzo Beans are low in fat and an awesome source of fiber and protein. Most people enjoy them whipped up into a nice hummus, but in our house we’ve been known eat them straight out of the can. This time we wanted to do something a little different.

We had great fun splashing around while we washed them.

We picked through them to remove loose skins, patted them dry and then spread them out on a nice big Silpat lined cookie sheet. We sprayed them with a little cooking spray, roasted them and then finished with a bit of sea salt.

They were such a big hit I could barely snap a picture in between my kid picking chickpea after chickpea out of the bowl. This after school snack recipe is a keeper for sure…
Read more after the jump…
Sep 21st, 2010 // Giveaway, Recipes, Snacks

Look at those adorable bright orange ramekins – they are the perfect size and shape for serving up little apps or after school snacks! They come in lots of different colors and you could win a set of 4! Our What’s for Lunch Series was so popular that we’ve decided to do a new week-long series of after school snack ideas and we want to hear from you! We’ll be starting with our first snack idea at noon on the 9/21. We’ll post a new idea every day through 9/28. All you have to do is comment on one of our snacking ideas to be entered to win these ramekins. If you want more chances to win, come back each day and enter another comment. (Only one comment per snack please.) The giveaway will close at midnight on 9/28 and the winner will be selected at random from all the comments received. Can’t wait to hear from you!
Fine print: This giveaway is intended for play in the United States. Giveaway must be shipped to a valid address within the 50 United States. Void where prohibited by law.