As with our apple donuts, one of the great things about this snack is that kids can help make it.  I have found that anytime I can get my grandkids involved with making whatever it is that I’m trying to get them to eat, the better chance I have at doing that!

Granted some of these bananas are covered in chocolate and sprinkles but I still feel that these are more “healthy” than a processed snack.

So let’s peel some bananas and get these snacks going!

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Banana Sushi

Course Snack

Author TGIF - This Grandma Is Fun

Ingredients

• 4 bananas
• 2 squares dark chocolate or chocolate melts or choc chips
• 1 Tablespoon sprinkles of your choice
• 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 1/2 Tablespoon nut butter
• 3 Tablespoons shredded coconut
• 3 Tablespoons rice krispies

Instructions

• Sprinkles Sushi
• Peel a banana.
• Melt a square of chocolate and spoon over the banana.
• 
• Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle the sprinkles on the banana.
• Let set in the refrigerator until chocolate has hardened.
• 
• Cut into slices.
• 
  
• Chia Seed Sushi
• Peel a banana.
• Melt a square of chocolate and spoon over the banana.
• 
• Before the chocolate sets, roll in or sprinkle the chia seeds on banana
• 
• Let set in the refrigerator until chocolate has hardened.
• Cut into slices.
• 
  
• Coconut Sushi
• Peel a banana.
• Spread 1 1/2 Tablespoons of the nut butter onto the banana
• Roll banana into the shredded coconut
• Let set in the refrigerator until chocolate has hardened.
• Cut into slices.
• 
  
• Rice Krispie Sushi
• Peel a banana.
• Spread 1 1/2 Tablespoons of the nut butter onto the banana
• Roll banana into the rice krispies
• Let set in the refrigerator until chocolate has hardened.
• Cut into slices.
• 

Now I have a confession to make.  When I have my grandkids eat a healthy snack, I always make sure to tell my daughter how good I did at making them eat something that is good for them. But then I never tell her about the other goodies that I may or may not have let my grandkids eat.  Shhh….it’s our little secret!

Here’s a couple more healthier snacks that you might be interested in:

Fresh Fruit Frozen Yogurt Bites

Charcuterie Snack Platter for Kids

The post Banana Sushi appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

And sprinkles.  You can’t go wrong with a few sprinkles.  Seriously I think kids will eat just about anything if you throw some sprinkles on it. The sprinkles on these Apple Donuts just make it a win-win.  So here we go:

Items Needed:  Apples, cream cheese (we like the whipped cream cheese, but you can also use regular), food coloring (optional) an apple corer or pastry tip and…..sprinkles!

Instructions:

1.  Wash and dry your apples. Then slice the apples so they are about 3/4 inches thick.  We did not peel our apples but you may do so if you have picky apple eaters.

2. Using an apple corer or pastry tip, cut a hole in the middle of the apples to remove the  core.

3. Color your whipped (or regular) cream cheese until you’ve reached the color you desire. We used neon food coloring for these apples. Spread cream cheese on the apples.

4.  Add your sprinkles and then let your kids enjoy these healthy “donuts!”

I love this snack because it’s better for my grandkids but they still think Grandma makes “fun” things! 

Enjoy!

Oh my! Take a look at this other GREAT idea for a healthy snack for your kids!

Charcuterie Snack Tray for kids

A big thanks to Hello Wonderful for this fun idea!

The post Apple Donuts appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

Hey there! We’re Molly and Chelsea and we’re the baking and cooking duo behind Bests and Bites! We’ve been besties for 23 years and loving connecting over a good piece of cheesecake, a cheesy dip or sipping on our favorite refreshments. Our fave things include health and fitness, baking, and pool days!

First things first, the red white and blue in this glass makes us want to PARTY. Like really celebrate America’s birthday!

Breakfast party? Snack party? Picnic party? All of the above.

We used to think the Fourth of July food spread was limited to only festive fruit-topped desserts, and okay fine we’ll take a bomb popsicle while we’re at it, but we’ve recently discovered (by way of this parfait) you can celebrate all day long!

This recipe is perfect for this holiday because strawberries and blueberries are in season and so naturally sweet and ripe. Not to mention they won’t hurt your wallet to get a carton or two.

They give this parfait so much substance and a sweet bite that perfectly complements the yogurt.

Now, let’s get down to the star of this recipe: the vanilla almond granola.

Say helloooo to your favorite snacking, breakfasting, and crunchy-sprinkled-topping! The granola itself is mildly sweet from honey, vanilla and maple syrup, slightly nutty from the slivered almonds, and whole-wheatty from the oats and whole wheat flour.

It’s just the right combination of semi-soft and crunchy. The centers still have a softness that makes is easy to carry on a conversation over the table, but just the right crunch that adds the perfect texture to the soft and creamy yogurt.

A fun tip about these parfaits. If you’ve got big breakfast plans like banana pancakes or french toast, these also make for the best snack or recipe for a picnic! You could even set up a create your own parfait bar and set out all the yummy ingredients and let your friends and family go crazy with their toppings and layers.

We have good ideas sometimes.

Another fun tip. Make the granola a week before and have it ready. Then these parfaits only take 5 MINUTES to make.

So everybody say hello the next big thing in breakfast and Fourth of July history, because you’re about to fall in love!

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Red, White and Blue Patriotic Parfaits

Servings 2 large parfaits

Ingredients

• For the granola:
• 6 cups rolled oats not the quick instant oats
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts I used walnuts
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup honey
• 1 cup coconut oil melted
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• For the parfait:
• 1 cup vanilla yogurt
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1/2 cup strawberries sliced

Instructions

• For the granola:
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
• In a very large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, pecans, whole wheat flour, cinnamon, salt, and sugar if using. Stir to combine.
• Whisk the melted coconut oil, maple syrup and the honey together. Pour over the oats mixture and stir until the mixture is well combined and is completely coated. Pour into a large baking sheet in a single layer. It will be a thick layer, which is okay, you want it to create large clusters.
• Bake for 20 minutes, stir and bake for another 10 minutes. Stiry again and bake for a final 5 minutes and remove from the oven.
• Do not stir right away. The granola will will become more clumpy as it dries.
• When granola is completely cooled, layer 1/4 cup of blueberries in the bottom of a glass. Add 1/4 cup of yogurt on top, then add 1/4 cup granola. Add 1/4 cup sliced strawberries and blueberries, another 1/4 cup of yogurt and another 1/4 cup of granola on top. Garnish with more blueberries and strawberries and serve immediately.

Some of our other favorite breakfast recipes:

Coffee Cake Crumble Muffins

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

Berry Almond Smoothie Bowl

The post Red, White and Blue Patriotic Parfaits appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

I wanted to prepare a super crunchy and flavorful snack. But the main idea was to be healthy, too. The first thing that popped into my mind was Chickpeas. I have some great recipes for roasted chickpeas that I want to share with you. Tested in my kitchen and family-approved, of course.

What are Chickpeas?

Some of you may not know what Chickpeas are. They look like Garbanzo beans, and this is what they are. Chickpeas are gluten-free, vegan, rich in plant-based protein and fiber.

First, let me tell you more about chickpeas and the health benefits they provide.

Roasted chickpeas recipes for the perfect gluten-free and nutritious snacks

If you are diagnosed with celiac disease, a grain-free diet is essential. 

In addition to this, if you are vegetarian or avoid gluten, these are great for you. Don’t have any food restrictions? You will love these recipes for their satisfying flavor.

Protein is essential for the human body. One cup of cooked chickpeas equates to a single serving of plant-based protein. And there is more! Chickpeas are a great source of folate, B group vitamins, calcium, zinc, and magnesium. What an easy, affordable way to get the protein and fiber you need each day!

Try to cut down on meat consumption? Make some dishes of chickpeas. Besides, it adds a significant amount of protein to your diet.

Make healthier food choices

First, if you want to lose weight you are probably advised to eat fiber-rich foods. The reason is they tend to be low in calories and high in nutrients. What is more, fibers make you feel full for longer. The protein content in cooked chickpeas is around 7.25 g per ½ cup. Being a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, they offer lots of health benefits.

Also, eating fiber helps to lower cholesterol and minimizes cravings, which is useful when trying to lose weight.

Healthy snacking is key to maintaining your ideal weight. Sadly, unhealthy snacks such as chips and cookies tend to be easily accessible with little prep required. In other words, it makes certain less-than-healthy foods more appealing to busy, on-the-go people. Healthy, homemade snacks are for everyone! These recipes will be viable for you, even if you have a busy schedule.

Adult and seniors’ eating habits depend on the foods that you eat as a child. That is why healthy eating is crucial during childhood! Helping your grandkids develop healthy eating habits is very important.

Kids, in particular, tend to prefer bright colors. Fruits and veggies added to the chickpeas will help keep snack time appealing! A bit of creativity can go a long way in the kitchen!

Healthy food substitutions with chickpeas

• Replacement for bread crumbs – it makes an excellent gluten-free alternative. 
• Replace nuts for people with nut allergies.
• Replace croutons on soups – it will add body and crunchiness.

Salads make for a healthy, easy-to-prepare snack. You can use any ingredients you have on hand. For example, try adding lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, even a bit of chicken or cheese.

Also, salads make a pack-and-go snack that you can take along to work or school. Sprinkle some roasted chickpeas on top for extra crunchiness and nutty flavor.

The well-known hummus is a dip made of chickpeas and sesame paste or tahini. Eat it with a slice of bread or crackers. Actually, 2 tablespoons of the hummus on the bread or crackers average 100 calories. You can add hummus to a sandwich for a protein-rich alternative to butter.

Furthermore, to make healthy food choices you need to swap some ingredients for others. Use chickpeas to replace some or all the meat in soups and stews. Add them to a vegetable soup or stew to add nutrients.

For example, make hummus, which can be a dip or spread for your sandwiches. Falafel is mashed chickpeas with cumin, garlic, chili, and coriander. Separate the mixture into small balls and fry them until they are crisp.

You can make these with lots of flavors, but I couldn’t decide on just one flavor, so I decided that I would try six!

Holy Moly!  These are absolutely my newest favorite snack food!

Are you going vegan?

It means getting rid of meat, dairy, and all animal products in your meal plan. Going vegan may be an opportunity to maintain healthy eating habits and stay fit in every stage of your life. 

If you think of becoming a vegan, you should consider including chickpeas in your diet. It is a great way to gain more protein and fiber. Why not try it for a month? You could start with removing meat and dairy one day a week and substitute them with nuts, chickpeas, tofu, or other healthy alternatives. 

Add chickpeas to your everyday meals

Chickpeas will add some extra plant-based protein to your salad, soup, or stew. In fact, it is a type of carb that you can use in your low-calorie diet.

What is more, chickpeas are an excellent replacement for meat because of their nourishing taste. Aim to swap at least three times a week. Certainly, they add body to the soup, as well as protein and fiber.

Enjoy them in hummus, pasta dishes, salads, or roasted in a hot oven for a high-protein snack.

Want another type of carb that is different from rice and potatoes? Chickpeas are worth trying. Definitely, it is a way to make nutritious and healthy meals.

Your Grandkids will love roasted chickpeas

Salty or sweet – your grandkids will enjoy eating these like popcorn. They are even more addictive than potato chips.

Surely, this healthy kid-friendly snack will be the new favorite! Besides, you can use the leftovers in a veggie-filled sandwich or a wrap to add some extra crunchiness. Try some hummus instead of butter? It is going to be one satisfying and nutritious meal! Plus, it’s great for school snacks, too.

Make the best crispy roasted chickpeas recipe

First, cooking at home is a smart choice. Also, it is the way to avoid saturated fat, added sugar, and extra sodium. The main challenge is to make chickpeas stay crispy.

Without a doubt, there are lots of flavors that go together with them. I couldn’t decide on just one flavor. That’s right, I decided to try six!

Oh my Gosh! These are my newest favorite snack food!

In fact, they were SO easy to make and took no time at all. And wait for the best part! I had most of the ingredients I needed in my kitchen cupboards. Indeed, no fancy ingredients, no fuss. Just perfectly roasted chickpeas.

They were all super yummy, but my absolute favorite was the ranch flavor.

Not joking, I could munch on these all day. And I did. Surely, they are satisfying enough when you want a little something crunchy to eat! Moreover, these are perfect for eating while watching a movie.

Well, let’s get on to the recipes so that you can enjoy some, too! 

I’m sure they will turn you into a chickpea lover!

Print

Roasted Chickpeas Recipe

Author Made From Pinterest

Ingredients

• 2 14-15 oz cans of chickpeas also known as garbanzo beans
• 2 TBL olive oil can also use coconut oil

Honey Cinnamon

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 TBL granulated sugar
• 2 TBL honey

Sesame Seed

• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 TBL sesame seeds

Garlic

• 1-2 tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp fresh cracked pepper
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

Spicy

• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

BBQ

• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tsp brown sugar

Ranch

• ¼ Cup Black Pepper
• 1½ Cup Parsley Flakes
• ½ Cup Garlic Salt
• 2 TBL Kosher Salt
• ¼ Cup Granulated Garlic
• ¾ Cup Granulated Onion
• 2 TBL Dill Weed
• This seasoning mix is used to make homemade ranch dressing. You can find the whole recipe HERE. It does contain some dairy products. You can reduce the amounts for the chickpeas recipe or make the whole recipe. It is the way to stay fresh in your fridge for months.

Instructions

• Drain and rinse your chickpeas. Remove any loose skins off of the beans. There is no need to be all of them. Remove the super loose ones.
• On a paper towel or towel, spread your beans and let them dry. I dried mine for about 1/2 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Line a cookie sheet with either foil or parchment paper.
• Evenly spread your dried beans on a cookie sheet.
• Bake for40-60 minutes. It will all depend on your oven. Check after 40 minutes if they are crunchy, then they are ready. If they are soggy, cook a little longer, but watch, to prevent them from burning.
• After baking, transfer to a bowl and mix with the 2 TBL olive oil or coconut oil.
• Then spread the seasonings of the flavor you are using and mix well.
• After coating with the honey cinnamon flavor, you can put the beans back into the oven for 5minutes. It will allow them to caramelize.
• With the ranch recipe, mix 2-3 tsp of the whole mix into your baked chickpeas and refrigerate the rest for other recipes.
• Yummy!

Helpful tips

1. To achieve the crunchy texture you are after, you have to remove the outer skin from the chickpea. Otherwise, the result will be chewy chickpeas, not crunchy.
2. Actually, if you use canned chickpeas, drain and rinse them in water before use. It is a way to reduce the quantity of sodium.  
3. Spread chickpeas on a towel and dry them.
4. Surely, the cooked chickpeas will last for 2-3 days stored in an airtight container in a fridge.
5. Add spices after roasting the chickpeas.
6. Keep the cooking water or the water from the can (if you use canned chickpeas). It is called Aquafaba and is known as the perfect egg replacer.
7. Also, chickpeas have to be spread in a single layer on the baking sheet. 
8. You can cook the chickpeas in an instant pot, slow-cooker, or on a stove-top.
9. Experiment to find your favorite combination of spices!

These roasted chickpeas recipes are:

• Super crunchy
• Flavorful and filling
• Perfect movie night snack
• Late-night snack
• Gluten-free
• Vegan-friendly
• Low-calorie snack
• Rich in fiber and protein
• So easy to make

The bottom line

In conclusion, chickpeas are a nutritious and healthy food to incorporate into your diet. Not only it packs a lot of plant-based protein, but also fiber to help you maintain healthy body weight.

Want to change your usual meal plan? Chickpeas will help you add texture and body to your dishes. What is more, add some crunchiness to your salad or sandwich and provide your meals with healthy nutrients.

In short, pick your favorite flavor from these six recipes and give it a try. It is sure to be a kid favorite that adults will crave, too.

Are you looking for other easy healthy snack recipes? Check out these recipes:

• Fresh Falafel Balls
• Cucumber Tomato Chickpea Salad
• Cold Rice Salad
• Easy Healthy Snack
• Healthy Slumber Party Snacks

You can also follow us on Pinterest │ Facebook │ Twitter │ Instagram │ Hometalk

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Not just any cow, she wants an Angus/Limousin grass fed cow from Holy Cow farms. Why does a 17 year teenager want a a freezer full of meat from a grass fed cow?

Two years ago we found that Celiac Disease runs in our family, this is when my daughter and I started our path down a gluten free lifestyle. My daughter has worked diligently to be as healthy as she possibly can through diet and exercise, last month she finished her first sprint triathlon! The next step in our journey of optimal health is trying a Paleo diet lifestyle, no grains, no dairy and very little sugar. To achieve the best results meats should be high quality & grass fed. Does this mean I am going to buy a grass fed cow for her? Not yet,  I learned when we went gluten free that making major lifestyle changes like this is a process that takes time. Our path down a Paleo lifestyle is going to start with our meat being purchased from Whole Foods, if I find that this is a way of eating that we can sustain, purchasing a grass fed cow to fill a freezer may be in our future!

One thing that really helped us ease into a gluten free lifestyle was finding new gluten free recipes to replace our old favorites. These Healthy Raw Cookie Dough Bites from Sara Wilson are gluten free, low sugar and they taste great! Head on over to my guest post at Mandy’s Recipe Box for the recipe, you will be glad you did because……

These Cookie Bites Totaly Rock!

This amazing recipe has been shared with: Whipperberry

The post Healthy Cookie Dough Bites appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

Ingredients

• Flour Tortillas
• Creamy Peanut Butter
• Apples
• Raisins or Googly Eyes
• Fruit Roll-Ups
• Oreo Cookies
• Shredded Carrots
• Chow Mein Noodles
• Lemon Lime Soda – to keep apples from browning

Cut your apple so you have four pieces that are rounded on one side and flat on the other side. Cut the rest of your apple into long and short strips.

Let your apples sit in a bowl of any type of lemon lime soda. I have found that using lemon lime soda works better than lemon juice to keep the apples from browning. I had to make these early in the morning for our class. We did not present until 3:30, when the class was over the apples had no browning anywhere!

Spread creamy peanut butter on your tortilla.

Fold the bottom edge up.

Place several long strips of apple just above the folded edge.

Put a dab of peanut butter on the folded edge and place several shorter apple strips on the peanut butter.

Fold your tortilla over the apples making a buritto.

You can use googley eyes or raisins to make the eyes.

I used a wooden Kabob to poke holes in the apple for the eyes.

Cut smiles out of the reserved apple peel using a knife, kitchen shears, or a round decorating tip (I used a #12 tip for the small mouths and the larger end of a tip for the larger mouths.) Set the smiles on each apple face.

I used fondant cutters on the fruit roll-ups to make the flowers and stars.

Last but not least you must add the hair. For the black hair I used crushed oreo cookies without the cream. Spread some peanut butter on your apple and then dip in the crushed oreo cookie. Tap off any excess. For the chow mein noodles and shredded carrots use the wooden kabob to make holes and then simply push them into the apple where you want them.

Wahlaa! You now have a great late night snack for your slumber party gang! Everyone in our class at the Pinners Conference agree that……

This Pin TOTALLY Rocks!

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