Encouraging Healthy Snacks the Organic Way
As we all come to better understand the dangers of ingesting lasting elements of pesticides, herbicides, and processing chemicals on our foods, organic is becoming a way of life. However, there is one facet of the American population that is having a difficult time making the switch. Kids who have already fallen for the popular tastes of commercially produced and overly processed foods, such as boxed macaroni and cheese or snack cakes, are often turned off by the natural tastes of raw organic foods, despite the fact that many adults love them. If you are one of those parents trying to sell your kids on eating healthy and eating organic, then this article is for you because it sets out to find several ways to make organic foods fun. Below are some great healthy snack ideas that even the pickiest of kids will love!
Ants on a Log This is a long time classic kid treat that can easily be made with organic ingredients and can provide a very tasty, but healthy, alternative to store bought cookies, candy, or commercial ice cream. Simply purchase some organic celery and cut into approximately three inch sections. Spread organic peanut butter into each piece of celery, and then line the peanut butter with organic raisins. This snack is great any time of day and can be easily packed in a reusable container if you want to send it in a lunch box. For a twist on this, consider substituting organic cream cheese for the peanut butter and dried cranberries for the raisins.
Frozen Fruit Pops Another really popular snack with kids is the ice cream bar or Popsicle. If you wish to make an organic substitute, buy some fresh organic fruit juice and some different organic fruits. First, you can cut small chunks of the fruit and set them aside. Then in an ice cube tray or Popsicle tray, pour the fruit juice until half full. Into each section, place a few small chunks of fruit. You can obviously get more fresh fruit into large Popsicle trays than you can into the ice cube trays, but the latter will work in a pinch.
If you don’t have Popsicle sticks, then consider using a couple toothpicks in the ice cube trays. You will need to secure these with tape or by placing a piece of cardboard across the top and poking holes small enough to hold the toothpicks (or popsicle sticks) in place. You can also make ice cubes out of the organic juice and place them – once frozen – into a glass of seltzer water for a healthy alternative to soda. As the ice melts it will add a splash of flavor to the drink.
Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate Let’s face it. Whether it is you or the children, there are moments in time when one simply needs a sugary fix. Lucky for us, even chocolate comes in an organic variety today, and it can be used in many different ways to create sumptuous treats that tantalize the taste buds and even offer a few added vitamins. For instance, with a bunch of organic baby bananas (or full size, cut in half), you can easily make another delicious frozen treat.
Place the peeled bananas in the freezer after feeding a Popsicle stick into each. While these are hardening, heat the organic chocolate over the stove. When ready, remove the bananas from the freezer and dip each in the melted chocolate. You will want to place these on a non-stick surface – such as wax paper or a reusable non-stick sheet – and then place them back into the freezer until the chocolate has solidified. Organic, semi-healthy, and full of flavor, these treats will certainly turn your kids into organic food lovers. You can also do the same thing with organic strawberries, and you can switch it up further with white chocolate instead of dark.
Make a Meal As mentioned above, one of the favorite foods of many young kids is boxed macaroni and cheese. However, if you are trying to choose organic and less processed foods, then this is not going to win you over. However, you can make a delicious alternative that will taste just as good to them and make you feel good as well. In boiling water, cook some organic pasta. In the meantime, in a small sauce pan, heat the organic cheese of your liking in a little milk over low heat until the cheese has fully melted. You can thicken the mixture by adding a flour and milk mixture as needed. When the pasta and cheese sauce are complete, pour the cheese over the macaroni and place in the over at 375 degrees for twenty minutes. Homemade macaroni and cheese using organic ingredients can be just as tasty as the commercial stuff and without the added chemicals and preservatives.
If you can sell the kids on healthy foods through creative applications, then you are likely to encourage a lifetime of healthy eating habits. So go ahead, make organic more than healthy – make it fun!