Toddler Snacks!

Happy Monday!  In order to chase away the Monday blues, I thought it would be fun to talk about snacks!  Toddlers love snacks.  And mommies love snacks.  ;)  Dane is offered a snack mid-morning before lunch, and then when he wakes up from his afternoon nap.  Sometimes he eats it, sometimes he can't be bothered.  I mean - who refuses to eat a snack?? #toddlerprobs

We eat pretty healthy in the Carter house - or at least try to!  I would say that our meals throughout the week are usually on the healthier side, and then on the weekends we are a little more relaxed.  Dane has been an EXCELLENT eater so far, and I am really hoping that continues.  So with that, I try to offer healthy snack options...but keeping in mind that kids like kid food & sometimes Goldfish or a trip to DQ do the trick!

Below are some of our favorite toddler snacks.  Things that I know Dane will go for 80% of the time.  I would love to hear your favorite toddler snacks, too!  I am always on the lookout for variety.

Happy snacking!

1. FRUIT

If your toddler loves fruit, cha-ching!  My little D loves pretty much any kind of fruit, so I know he will always eat some diced apples, banana or clementine for a snack.  He loves peanut butter also, so sometimes I will add that to his apples or bananas for a yummy treat.  

2. STRING CHEESE

I like the Sargento brand.  Dane is just now getting to be able to "string it" himself which he thinks is fun!

3. NATURAL FRUIT STRIP 

Kind of like a Fruit-Roll up, minus the 100+ grams of sugar.  Stretch Island is the brand, and there are a good variety of flavors found in the natural foods aisle of the grocery.  They are easy to throw in the diaper bag and perfect for a sweet treat!

4.  GRANOLA

I just started offering granola to Dane as a snack and so far he has approved!  Another mama friend posted that her tot likes granola with or without milk and I thought it sounded like a fun option.  This brand is called Love Grown & is gluten-free and non-GMO.  Of course there are a TON of granola options out there you can choose from!  I just give Dane a little bowl or cup of it and he goes to town.  I also like to make Chocolate Covered Katie's chewy granola bars for all of us Carters....so good & you wouldn't know they are healthy!  

5.  YOGURT

We love Stoneyfield Organic yogurt and have been buying it for meal times also.  But it is great for a snack alternative if you are in a bind.

6.  POPCORN

Popcorn is one of mama's favorite types of snacks...and now Dane's as well!  I love the Skinnypop brand because it all natural - no butter, salt, etc!  It sounds gross when you have grown up on movie theatre popcorn, but it is actually really good!  Skinnypop now has several different kinds of popcorn out too.  It is great for movie theatre smuggling too - oops!

7.  VEGGIE STIX

Veggie Stix are perfect for road trips, or just a quick snack when needed.  They are a better alternative than chips & Dane just loves them.  Found in the natural foods aisle in the grocery.  Veggie Stix also has an "Apple Stix" as well, which is yummy!  

What does your toddler love to snack on?  Please share!

Granola Footballs

In the Fall, I am a football widow.  It really is nice stinks to be by myself every Friday night while Dev is at varsity games.  I wish I could be there to sit in the cold metal bleachers, judge stare at the snobby high school cheerleaders (that I used to be, #sorrynotsorry), & stuff my face with sodium-ladden popcorn.  Buuuuut....because I drive almost an hour to work + contain 26 5-year olds all day, I have a good excuse not to go to the games.  Now, when we have a baby I will be in the front row cheering them on in whatever they choose to do.  I just hope it involved tutus, glitter & dance routines to Thriller.   

Last spring, DC & his football-coaching buddies decided to compete in a Tough Mudder competition.  This involved diving into ice cold water, scaling walls & getting electrocuted while crawling through mud.  This also involved not inviting their wives.  But, you can better believe I quizzed him on who complained about their wife on the way down & that it better not have been him.  I don't think it was though, because I asked the guys when they got back & they said he never talks bad about me.  Reason #34,567 why he is awesome.

Back to this post's theme: food.  When the boys (I love calling grown men boys...I think it's cute) left for their trip to Ohio, I made lots of snacks for them to take.  I'm not good at a lot of things: shooting a free throw, working a remote, or driving the speed limit, but I am this: a good treat-giver.  I packed iced sugar cookies, sunflower seeds, double-fudge brownies, chips, you name it.  Then I thought I would be clever and try to *sneak* in something somewhat healthy...these protein energy bites.  

About half way through the drive, I get a text from Devin saying, "Everyone loved your balls.  They're gone."  Iced sugar cookies?  Still there.  Brownies?  Barely touched.  My "Balls" as so lovingly described...GONE.  These babies are addicting.  Super easy.  And you probably have all of the ingredients in your pantry.   Since the Tough Mudder, I have made them at least 5 different times for the coaches & they are devoured.  Therefore, I renamed Granola Foot-"balls"....the most original I could come up with.

Go make them now.  You won't be disappointed.
And I promise the football coach in your life will love you for it.

Granola Football Bites
1 cup quick oats
1/2 cup reduced-fat peanut butter
1/4-1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (could also use raisins, cranberries or any kind of nut)
1/3 cup honey & 1/3 cup light maple syrup (or you can do 2/3 cup of either)
1 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
2 T vanilla protein powder (can omit if you don't have it & they will still be fine)

Mix all ingredients very well & chill for 30 minutes.  Roll into balls & devour, or pass them on to a friend who has had a tough week!

Now, if you are going to the store to buy the ingredients and have to stop for gas....please don't pre-pay, walk off, & accidentally leave your full gas pump.  Not that I did that this week or anything.

Happy weekend, friends.

Guest Post...SPRING BREAK 2013!

Meet Jenni. 

This lovely lady is the director of The Happy Bod...a holistic based company based out of LA.  She & her actor husband live in LA with their two kitties.  Yes, I said actor.  I'm hoping that Bryce will be on SNL one day and get me tickets to the show....pretty please! 

Jenni also doubled as my roomie in college.  Sometimes Most times I didn't pick up my clothes & our room was a mess.  Sorry, Jenni.  Sometimes she and I would get lazy and park at the President's house on campus if we couldn't find a parking space.  Sorry, Prez.  Along with being roomies & sorority sistas we also were on the dance team together & enjoyed shakin' it like a polaroid picture. 

Read her advice on staying healthy over spring break!

SPRING BREAK 2013- wooooooh! Am I right?

Slow down one quick second, party people, and let's talk about staying healthy while you're on vacation!

On-The-Go Snacking

·         Stock your purse/hotel room with real food, portable, healthy snacks like nuts, fresh fruit and hard boiled eggs to avoid eating junk on the plane, or from the mini bar or vending machine.

Staying Hydrated

·         Planes have EXTREMELY low humidity - so prepare by drinking extra water the days leading up to your trip, and drink 8 oz of water every hour during the flight (bring

·         your own filtered and reusable water bottle so you don't have to flag down the flight attendant every time you need a refill!)

·         Avoid salty snacks and alcohol while flying.

·         Start every morning of your trip with a large glass of water.

      Dehydration is the biggest cause of vacation constipation...no bueno!

Healthy Eating & Drinking

·         Don't forget to eat a healthy breakfast that will keep you full and ready for long days of fun! In a continental situation look for toast with peanut butter, scrambled eggs and a side of fruit instead of sugary pastries, syrups and cereals.

·         Opt for red wine with your dinner instead of fancy mixed drinks like margaritas and piña coladas (120 calories vs. 350+ calories).

·         Remember you can indulge in fabulous local cuisine and still use a little common sense- fill half your plate with produce, and look for foods in their natural state.

·         Heavy and cream-based foods will only make you too tired and sluggish to have fun after dinner!

Exercise

·         Bring a foldable yoga mat, lightweight running shoes or an exercise band to make working out possible during your trip.

·         Exercise first thing when you wake up so you have the entire day ahead of you feeling refreshed and energized.

·         Enjoy potential local exercise options like beach walking or salsa dancing!

Happy spring break, you crazy kid! Have fun and be safe out there!

About The Happy Bod

Jennifer Wissel is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and Director of The Happy Bod. She works with clients to make small adjustments in diet and lifestyle that have big impact on their overall health and wellness.

jennifer@thehappybod.com | (310) 868-8204 | www.thehappybod.com

kiss the cook

I know I said earlier that I was going to post about this dude next...but I'm not quite done with it yet.
It's kind of hard to sum up 13 years of fun in one post.

On to one of my newest loves though - healthy cooking. I never thought we would go together, but we kinda do & I like it. In college, every Sunday was Big Mac Sunday. My friends & I would wake up early, and head to the golden arches for Big Macs, fries, and cokes. EVERY Sunday. Then, we would be complete slugs all day long. I wonder why. So, sorry McDonald's...I've moved on. I won't come visit for Big Macs anymore. Well, maybe once a year. Your special sauce is so good. But, I will still visit you every week for a diet coke, in a foam cup, with extra ice.
Thanks, McDonald's.

I've always considered myself a leader (see previous post), but I'm a follower too. The latest shoe fashion...I have to have a pair. A popular reality tv show...it's on my DVR. And lately, it seems like the newest rage is healthy eating: gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, vegan cooking, etc.
I'm embracing it all.

This summer I read The Skinny Rules, written by Bob Harper (Biggest Loser Bob). I love me some Bob.
He lays out 20 rules that promise to make you skinny, feel great, & look good.

A few of his rules: no carbs after lunch, get rid of ALL fast food & fried foods, go to bed hungry, no more white potatoes, don't drink your calories, eat a real breakfast, etc. He goes through each rule explaining why he follows it.
And, let's face it - the man looks amazing so I believe him.
Next up, three of my favorite healthy eating websites. These ladies are incredible & I stalk them everyday. I think I made something new this summer 3-4 times a WEEK! I love recipes that are easy, inexpensive, and now...healthy. All of these websites meet the criteria.

Skinnytaste.com: A friend from school introduced me to Gina. She's a gem. And, wow. Here are a few of my faves from Gina: Philly cheesesteak sandwiches (she has a great tip on what to do with the bread to make it "skinny", yogurt cheesecake cups, overnight oats in a jar). My other ST faves: mini-meatloaves, bison burgers, zucchini tots & chicken divan (I don't have pictures because all of these dinners were gobbled up before I could pop off the lens cap.)

Eat Yourself Skinny.com: Another adorable healthy-cook-person...Kelly. She introduced me to kale chips. If you haven't tried these bad boys, then ya better recognize...ya heard?

Hungrygirl.com: Lisa is great & her recipes have fun names. I am a huge oatmeal person & eat it almost every morning. Her growing oatmeal bowl is the best. Nothing fancy, but she invented a way to take a regular serving & magically make it grow...just by doubling the water/milk & doubling the time you boil it. Pure genius. Other HG faves: eggs in mugs, mexican pizza, italian frittata & whole wheat cheesecake pancakes. Word.

Dashingdish.com: my newest stalking victim. And yet again, an absolute doll. What is WITH these cute healthy cooks?! However, she was in charge of causing my internal organs to fail from an overload of pure bliss.
Meet her pumpkin pie protein "milkshake."

When I hear the word pumpkin, a trigger goes off in my brain that causes automatic happiness. Pumpkin & Abigail go together like pb&j, coffee & cream, and steak & ketchup. Ok, those only go together in my world. And, my dad's. I got it from him. Back to the pumpkin. Katie's "milkshakes" are made with cottage cheese, not ice cream. Sounds gross, but I like everything so I thought I would give it a try. They are all low-fat, low-calorie & low-carb. Triple threat. And absolutely.the.best.things.ever. I have tried them all now. I love a good milkshake. Like Chick-Fil-A's cookies & cream one. It's amazingly good, and amazingly awful for you. But, don't worry Chick-Fil-A, we aren't broken up yet. I will still come visit you for your diet lemonade, just not your milkshakes anymore.
I might come back every once in a while for your chicken mini's too, Chick-Fil-A. We'll see.

I have to say, I like this healthy-eating thing so far. At least until the next big thing comes around (maybe cupcakes as a staple for breakfast?). Devin's hot bod agrees. He recently declared he is at his lowest weight since high school. Yeah, boy. I'm not saying that it's all because of eating better...but he hasn't had fast food or real dr. pepper in awhile (see Bob's rules above!).

If you have any great healthy recipes or websites that you use, please share! Now I'm off to clean my blender & stock up on cottage cheese.

happy weekend eating to you.
~ abs