During the holiday season, it can feel like everywhere we go is filled with flavors of the season, sweet treats, and baked goods. Hot chocolate at the tree lighting ceremony, cookies from your neighbor, or candy canes from the Santa meet and greet. Why? Because read more
There are so many comforts that come with fall and the chilly seasons. Colorful leaves, cozy sweaters, the smell of cinnamon, and warm baked goods. I love indulging in fall and winter treats because it feels like it just comes with the culture of the read more
This cake uses Greek yogurt, olive oil, and honey to add a healthy twist on a delicious and beautiful dessert! I’m posting this recipe as part of a bake off competition, and don’t have time for a full blog post. So, here is a quick post with the recipe attached! Enjoy!
Pizza night. Who doesn’t love pizza night? It’s easy for mom and dad, delicious for everyone, and the kids can get involved spreading the sauce and adding their toppings. The only downside that pizza night has is that it isn’t always the healthiest dinner. Store read more
You might be asking yourself, “How can something be dipped in avocado? Isn’t this banana just dipped in chocolate?” And, I’m here to tell you that you absolutely can create a delicious chocolate dip from avocados! Avocados are extremely nutritious and a great source of read more
If you are looking to increase the amount of fish your family eats, this recipe is a great place to start. My two kids can sometimes be picky, or selective, eaters. But, they ate these nuggets just as they would eat their favorite brand of chicken nuggets!
The FDA recommends we eat 2-3 servings of fish from the “best choice” list each week. Here is a research based infographic post I made all about the FDA fish recommendations (see below)
Please scroll through the slides above to learn more about why it is so important to include fish in diets of babies, toddlers, kids, and adults!
What You’ll Need:
I love using an air fryer for this recipe because it is quick, efficient, and doesn’t dry out the salmon like many cooking methods do. The salmon is left juicy and delicious, even after two rounds in the air fryer! My favorite air fryer is featured below:
I always find it interesting how certain scents bring back intense memories. For me, usually pleasant memories. Anytime I’m in a cafeteria style lunch line that serves both sandwiches and ice cream, I’m brought back to lunch at my favorite childhood family vacation – a read more
Looking for a light, summery, nutritious, protein packed, don’t-have-to-turn-the-oven-on recipe? This one is for you! Not to toot my own horn, but let me start out with this little story: My daughter (the more selective eater of my two kids) started this meal by saying read more
Toddler snacks are tricky for many reasons, but I’m here to help simplify the way you serve snacks to your toddler or kid. Why are they tricky?
Am I going to solve every parents’ struggles with snacks? No, that would be impossible. But, I’m here to help. This blog post contains some of my favorite snack recipes, best snack tips, store bought snack pairings, and grab & go snacks for busy days. Bookmark this page for when you need new snack ideas!
Here’s the list of snack ideas from the video:
1. matchstick apples tossed in cinnamon, whole wheat bread peanut butter roll ups
2. sliced cucumbers, plain whole milk Greek yogurt with garlic powder, onion powder, and dried dill (dip for cucumbers, halved mandarin oranges
3. blueberry, strawberry, and raspberry fruit salad, Colby jack cheese cubes
4. less sugar strawberry yogurt, dye free sprinkles, sliced strawberries
5. cheddar snack cheese, whole wheat crackers
2. sliced grapes, raspberries, Colby Jack
7. toddler trail mix – freeze dried raspberries, Cheerios, Chex cereal
Here’s the link to the snack containers in the video!
Why are these great snacks for toddlers? Each snack box is easy to prep, doesn’t require any cooking, and contains protein and nutrients. Protein will help little one feel full, and of course, we want to increase the amount of fruits and veggies our kids eat daily.
I love to prep these boxes on Sundays to keep in the fridge. They help get me through the hardest part of the week, which, for me, is Monday-Wednesday!
Does every toddler love cheese crackers or does every toddler love cheese crackers? Our favorite cheese crackers are both easy and convenient, and aren’t the worst choice at the grocery store. But, can we make them healthier? Yes!
Here the best part about this recipe: It only uses 2 ingredients. Yep, that’s it. Just almond flour and cheddar cheese! The almond flour and cheese both contain protein, and there are tons of other benefits to making these homemade crackers over serving store bought. Almond flour contains Vitamin E, antioxidants, fiber, and magnesium! See the recipe below.
Here is the recipe for the cheese cracker:
Ingredients:
• 1 cup blanched almond flour
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons water
*optional: 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a food processor, combine the almond flour, shredded cheddar cheese, and water. Optionally, add 1/8 teaspoon salt. Blend until well combined.
3. Squish together to form a dough. Place the dough on a sheet of parchment paper.
4. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness using a rolling pin. It may be easier to place a sheet on top of the dough and roll it out between two sheets of parchment paper.
5. Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut the dough into cracker-sized pieces.
6. Use a toothpick or the end of a utensil to poke a hole in the center of each cracker.
7. Carefully transfer the parchment paper with the crackers onto the baking sheet, making sure to separate them so they don’t touch. Optionally, sprinkle a little salt on top of the crackers.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-13 minutes, or until the crackers are crispy.
Ideally, everything we serve to our kids would be healthy and homemade. But our lives are busy, and snacks sometimes need to be quick, easy, and not need any prep. Why do so many parents, including myself, turn to packaged or store bought snacks? Because they are convenient and easy!
So, I put together some snack ideas that you can save for your next grocery shopping trip. Each pairings is meant to give your child nutrients, help them feel full, have minimal processing, and don’t contain a lot of added sugar, dyes, or unwanted ingredients.
The snack pairings:
1. Freeze dried strawberry slices and @tillamook Colby Jack
2. @stonyfield organic yogurt and and @happyfamilyorganics Happy Tot spinach fiber and protein oat bar
3. @freshbellies freeze dried peppers and unsweetened applesauce.
4. @gogosqueez applesauce and @tillamook cheddar
5. Peach fruit cup and string cheese
6. @chobani less sugar yogurt with a fruit pouch (@plumorganics prunes)
7. @cheerios , @chexcereal , and freeze dried raspberries
Grab the link to the spoons I used in the video in the image below:
And one things to remember – please feel no guilt about which snacks or food you choose to serve your child. We are all coming from different busy schedules, different homes, different lives, and difference circumstances. What you feel is best, is best!
This is one of my most popular recipes that I’ve ever posted! This recipe is for peanut butter yogurt bark, and is a huge hit with both of my kids. Greek yogurt and peanut butter both contain lots of protein and nutrients, so your little one will feel full after eating this healthy snack.
Its super simple to make! Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
Recipe:
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Here are some of my other favorite snack recipes. See the blog post links below, as well as Instagram posts!
Greek Yogurt & Fruit Popsicles
Healthy enough to serve for breakfast!
Whole Wheat Pizza Muffins
This one would make a great snack, lunch, or dinner side dish!
Healthy Chocolate Ice Cream
Made with banana and avocados, and no added sugar!
Oat Energy Balls
I made this recipe around Easter, so I called them “bunny bites.” But, there’s really nothing Easter-y about them! Enjoy these energy balls year round.
What else makes a great snack? Any real food! Save untouched leftovers from your child’s plate, and put them away for snack time. Sometimes, it just takes another exposure to eat the food. This results in less food waste, and no prepping for snack time!
Did you enjoy reading this blog post? Please let me know! Be sure to sign up for my newsletter for exclusive content from me. And, follow me on Instagram for more ideas!
Use the form below for a free meal planner and toddler schedule digital download!
Do you want to know 3 great ingredients for babies, toddlers, kids, and adults? Avocados, whole wheat flour, and plain whole milk Greek yogurt. Want to know the 3 ingredients in this recipe? Avocados, whole wheat flour, and plain whole milk Greek yogurt! What else read more
