Back to School Snacks to Keep Your Children Happy and Healthy

Fall is an exciting time of new beginnings for children who are going back to school with the opportunity to meet new friends and explore the world of knowledge. For parents, it is a time to think about healthy lunches and healthy back-to-school snacks for kids.

Here are some simple ideas for snacks that will keep your children happy while supplying them with the nutrition they need.

Gluten Free Carrot Muffins:

• ½ cup olive oil
• 12 tbsp maple syrup
• ½ cup unsweetened organic applesauce
• 2 free range/organic eggs
• 1 cup organic brown rice flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup ground organic flax seed
• ¾ tsp. Baking soda
• 1/8 Tsp. Sea salt
• 1 small zucchini grated
• 2 medium organic carrots, grated
• ½ cup cacao chips (optional)

Beat oil with eggs, maple syrup, and apple sauce. In a separate bowl mix together brown rice flour, flaxseeds, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add liquid to dry. Fold in carrots, zucchini, nuts, and cacao chips. Mixture should be moist, if dry add a little rice or soy milk. Fill muffin tray ¾ full and bake at 400F for 15-20 minutes on 2^nd rack up, until muffins spring back when pressed. Yields 12 muffins.

Chocolate Rice Pudding:

• 3 cups of Rice Dream or Coconut milk
•  ¼ cup of cocoa or carob
• ¾ cup of uncooked long grain rice
• ½ tsp. sea salt
• 2 tbs. ghee or butter
• 1 tsp. of vanilla

Scald milk in top part of a double broiler. Combine rice, cocoa and salt. Stir into milk. Cover and cook over hot water, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender, about 11/4 hours. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and vanilla.

Individual containers are great for packing in lunch boxes.

Zucchini Chips:

• 2 zucchini
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• Sea salt to taste

Peel zucchini; cut into thin strips or slice into thin “chips.” Place on a baking tray lightly oiled with extra coconut oil. Rub coconut oil and salt on top of each strip or chip. Bake for 30 minutes

These chips go well with nut butters and guacamole or just as a snack on their own.

Strawberry-Banana Smoothie

This perennial favourite is the perfect snack for school age kids.

Ingredients

• 8 oz almond milk
• ¼ cup strawberries
• 1 medium ripe banana

Directions

Put the almond milk, strawberries and banana in the blender for 30 seconds. Serve cold for an after school snack.

Juice Plus+

Include a Juice Plus+ capsule or chewable for an extra boost of nutrition. Made from 25 fruits, vegetables and grains, Juice Plus+ provides antioxidants to enhance a healthy diet.