After-School Goodies

Here are some healthier alternatives to the traditional fare that kids gobble up after a day in class.

At Home:

Fruit smoothies
Fruit salad
Mini pizzas
Yogurt with granola
Pasta salad
Deviled eggs
Boiled peanuts
Veggies with dip
Fruit juice pops
Leftovers (pizzas, macaroni and cheese, lasagna)
Shrimp cocktail
Bean and cheese burritos
Cereal
Hummus with veggie sticks
Sushi

On The Road:

Hard-boiled eggs
Pretzels
Wraps, bagels or pita sandwiches
Muffins
Granola or cereal bars
Banana bread
Portable yogurts
Cheese and crackers
Frozen grapes and graham crackers
Oatmeal cookies
Breadsticks
Quiche or vegetable torte
Dried fruit
Trail mix
Brownies

Recipes:

Apple-Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup margarine, softened
1/2 cup honey
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup stone-ground whole-wheat flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 apple, cored and chopped

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease cookie sheets.

In a large bowl, cream together the margarine, honey, egg and vanilla until smooth. Combine the whole-wheat flour, baking soda and cinnamon, Stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in oats and apple.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for eight to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for five minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Yield: 4 dozen

Source: www.allrecipes.com

Chewy Granola Bars

Ingredients:

4-1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2/3 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease one 9 x 13-inch pan.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking soda, vanilla, butter or margarine, honey and brown sugar. Stir in the two cups chocolate chips or raisins, nuts, etc.

Lightly press mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes, then cut into bars.

Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.

Yield: 3 dozen

Source: www.allrecipes.com

Purple Monstrosity Fruit Smoothie

Ingredients:

2 frozen bananas, skins removed and cut in chunks
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup orange juice
1 Tbs. honey (optional)
1 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)

Preparation:

Place bananas, blueberries and juice in a blender. Purée. Use honey and/or vanilla to taste.

Use more or less liquid depending on the thickness you want for your smoothie.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Source: www.allrecipes.com