PB&J Roll-ups

While on Twitter, I stumbled upon an awesome snack idea posted by EasyLunchBoxes.  I knew I had to make it for the children at the after school program I run.

One afternoon for snack, we made the PB&J roll-ups or what the children liked to call PB&J burritos. I guess it was the flour tortilla that sold them.

I had some white flour tortillas (I prefer whole wheat but I had the white flour on hand), creamy peanut butter, strawberry jam and bananas! Yes, I said bananas. This is the hidden delectable yumminess on the inside.

Seven children were in attendance that day and all of them at first thought – bananas and peanut butter with jelly? They enjoyed it though. Not a crumb left and nearly every child asked for seconds!

Tonight we arrived home late. It was one of those nights for a quick bite to eat before getting the little one ready for bed.

In my pantry, I had whole wheat flour tortillas, crunchy peanut butter and in the fridge - strawberry preserves. The bananas are on their last day so it was a great way to use some of them up. (Though I am saving 3-4 of them for creamy banana bread tomorrow!) ---> I posted a banana bread recipe on my blog last June but since then I've found an even better one. I'll post this one soon. 

I cut up the remaining banana as a side dish… you know, just in case.

I definitely prefer the crunchy peanut butter over the creamy kind – not at all one note-ish. The crunchy gave it an extra level of texture desperately needed in our PB&J burrito!

I hope you try this snack one day! Buon Appetito!

Not pictured is the crunchy peanut butter. =[

Bite Sized Power Bites

Bite Sized Power Bites

Adapted from Smashed Peas and Carrots (blog/recipe)  

Disclaimer: There are other blogs/sites online that have a similar recipe. I was first inspired by my friend who made these bites for her daughter's first birthday. She found the recipe from Smashed Peas and Carrots. 

Allergens: peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds, dairy

Ingredients are free of hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes, and aspartame

Ingredients: 

1 cup oats

½ cup of crunchy peanut butter

1/3 cup of organic agave nectar

½ cup of organic unsweetened coconut flakes

¼ cup of almonds roasted in cinnamon, sugar and water

¼ cup of ground organic graham crackers

¼ cup of ground flaxseed (or flax seed meal)

2 tbl of nutella (optional; replace with mini chocolate chips)

¼ tsp vanilla extract

¼ tsp. cinnamon

I blend all nuts, graham crackers, and flax seeds in my Vitamix first. Then using my Kitchen Aid mixer, I add one ingredient at a time while mixing on low speed. After all ingredients are added and it feels dry, add more agave nectar as needed (you want it slightly moist). Let it set in the fridge for about an hour. Remove. Make balls using your hands or if you have a small ice cream scoop or large melon baller then that will help shape the mixture into balls. (I doubled the recipe and made half into balls and the other half into bars.) Refrigerate up to a week or freeze until ready to use.

You can substitute anything you like in this recipe.

Have fun with it! Buon Appetito!! =)

Bonbons Anyone?

These are delectable treats with all known (and safe) ingredients for your children YOU to enjoy without compromising taste or integrity of the food, i.e., artificial dyes, hydrogenated oils, or high fructose corn syrup. (But really – your children deserve the very best so make sure they get some too!)

Freeze banana coins for an hour. Melt milk chocolate (substitute with your favorite chocolate) and peanut butter together. The peanut butter will blend in nicely. Drop the coins into the chocolate covering all sides. Allow them to set on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle more chocolate to cover – DON’T say it! – on MISSIng areas! Top with your favorite topping. We used crushed almonds. The drizzle of chocolate helps the topping stick too! Win-Win situation I tell ya! =) Place in the freezer for another hour then transfer to an airtight container (or ziploc bag) to enjoy! Some say they won’t last long enough to have a “permanent” home.

Buon Appetito!

I got this idea from these two sites: 1) Recipe a Day, and 2) Never Home Maker.  Get creative and make your own! =)

November is ...

Did you know that November is peanut butter month?! I surely didn't until I started planning activities for the children at the after school program I run. 

This month we are doing several activities...

For snack, we've incorporated peanut butter with our freshly sliced apples, graham and regular crackers. We'll be doing a bird feeder with pine cones, bird seed and peanut butter and later we'll be doing a "how to make a peanut butter and jelly" sandwich written activity. Each child will write up how to make a PB&J sandwich including every step and we'll make them according to their directions. I did this activity years ago in the third grade. I still remember it like it was yesterday. It was fun and out of the children in my class only one included most of the steps. After the activity, I will make sandwiches for the children and serve it with a cup of 2% milk for their snack.

November is not only peanut butter month but also Native American Heritage month. We'll be making rain sticks this coming week in honor of my late grandpa who passed away last August. He was from the Oneida tribe. RIP Pops!

It is also the month that we recognize and attribute acts of gratefulness in the public sense through the holiday, Thanksgiving. Growing up this holiday meant a day or 2 out of school, friends over, lots of food to eat, and play time while the adults watched football. As an adult, it is simply a day where phone calls are made to touch base with family members and friends who live far away. It is also a time to have a heart of thanksgiving. Let not just one day of the year be in remembrance of all that God has given but make it a priority to thank Him daily! In the after school program, we'll be doing an activity where the children will talk about what they're thankful for. I hope to receive many responses. Perhaps adding to this will be cards the children can write to their parents to thank them for what they do. 

Healthy Fudge Recipe

Two weeks ago I attended a sampling at a local kids center geared towards children with sensory needs. I offered free samples of my products' chewables made from 25 fruits, vegetables, grains, berries and grapes. My product helps kids get more of their recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. I had also prepared a healthy version of what my community likes to call fudge. It's a fun, easy and healthy recipe! You can definitely get the kids involved as there is no cooking. I would recommend children ages 3 and up. 


Ingredients: 
Cooking non-stick spray of your choice, Juice Plus+ Complete protein powder (or your choice of protein powder), walnuts, dried cranberries, peanut butter (or almond butter), hemp plus granola, and maple syrup. Here are the ingredients I used:

Instructions: 
Mix together dry ingredients then stir in wet ingredients. (You may need some elbow grease at this point.) Press mixture into 9 x 13 pan.  Cover top with a layer of shredded coconut or sesame seeds (I omitted these); press into the surface of the mixture.  Refrigerate.  Cut into bars when mixture is solid.  Keep refrigerated between servings.


Allergens: 
gluten, nuts, milk


Benefits: 
1 cup Chocolate Juice Plus+ Complete powder (non-GMO soy protein)

2 cups Nature’s Path Organic Hemp Plus Granola (Omega 3s/6s)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (improves cholesterol)

1/2 cup dried cranberries (antioxidants - protects cells from free radicals)

1 cup maple syrup (amino acids – essential to cell maintenance, function and regeneration)

1 cup creamy peanut butter (non-hydrogenated; source of protein used to rebuild muscles)

Results: 

I handed out a sample of the fudge to all the parents of the children who attended the Early Bird special at the children's center. All but one refused. The mother who refused said since her children couldn't have gluten she didn't want to sample. Everyone who ate a piece commented on how surprisingly delicious it tasted after hearing the ingredients. Try them for yourself! 

Be well.