E-Z Applesauce – Perfect for an Autumn Afternoon Snack!

This applesauce recipe is perfect for a few or for a whole class of hungry children! It’s easy to make and it’s delicious!

E-Z Applesauce
Submitted by Erica Bohannon

Ingredients:
1 whole apple, sliced and peeled
1 t cinnamon

Directions:
Cut apple into smaller squares and place in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for about one minute, or until apple becomes soft. Allow to cool for a few minutes and then let the children squish the apples with the cinnamon together with a spoon. Once the cinnamon is incorporated, allow the applesauce to cool for a few minutes in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

Serves: 3-4

Category: Snack

Nutritional Information:
Calories: 110
Fat: 0.4 g
Fiber: 5.1 g
Protein: 0.6 g

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars – Perfect Snack!

These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars are the perfect back-to-school snack! Each bar is loaded with protein to boost brain power for school!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars
(submitted by Michelle James)

Ingredients:
1 c rolled oats, ground in a food processor
2 scoops of your favorite protein powder
2 T peanut butter {can be omitted if there are allergies, or use a different nut butter}
3 eggs
2 medium bananas, mashed
1 T honey
1/2 c whole milk
1 t cinnamon
1/2 c chocolate chips, ground in a food processor

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and place in a greased 9×9″ pan. Bake at 350*F for 15-20 minutes. Let cool  and cut into 2 inch squares. Individually wrap and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Serves: 16
Category: Breakfast/Snack

Nutritional Information
Calories: 97.4
Fat: 40.4 g
Fiber: 1.3 g
Protein: 4.5 g

Fruit Medley Perfect for Summer!

Fruit Medley
(submitted by Debra S. Poole)

Ingredients:
2 apples, cut into small bite-sized pieces
1 c sliced strawberries
1 c sliced peaches
1/2 c raisins
1 sliced banana
1 c blueberries
Sprinkle cinnamon

Directions:
Mix all ingredients into a bowl and serve.

Serves: 10
Category: Breakfast/Snack

Nutritional Information:
Calories: 75
Fat: 0.2 g
Fiber: 2.6 g
Protein: 0.7 g

Frozen Fruit Dots Help Tots Cool Off!

This recipe for Frozen Fruit Dots will help kids and adults alike cool off in the warm summer months!

Frozen Fruit Dots
(submitted by Julie Faulkner)

Ingredients:
1 c fresh strawberries, raspberries or blueberries
½ c vanilla nonfat yogurt
Toothpicks

Directions:
Rinse berries and gently pad dry. If using strawberries, cut them in half. Raspberries and blueberries can be left whole. Put a berry on a toothpick and dip in yogurt. Place dipped berry on a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Freeze until yogurt is solid.

Berries can be kept in an airtight container in the freezer.

Category: Snack
Serves: 4

Nutritional Information:
Calories: 28
Fat: 0.1g
Fiber: 0.79g
Protein: 3.1g

Orange Slushies for Snack Time!

Orange Slushies
(submitted by Dorothy Clopton)

Ingredients:
6 oz can frozen orange juice
1 c whole milk
1 c water
1 c cubed pineapple
⅓ c sugar
1 t vanilla
10-12 ice cubes

Directions:
Combine orange juice, milk, water, pineapple, sugar and vanilla in a blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Add ice cubes and crush. Pour into cups and enjoy.

Category: Snack
Serves: 6

Nutritional Information:
Calories: 179
Fat: 1.3g
Fiber: 0.1g
Protein: 1.6g

Make This Delicious Vegetable Fried Rice!

Submitted by Calista White

Ingredients:
3 T grapeseed oil, divided
4 c previously cooked rice, grains separated well
1 c broccoli florets, cut into small pieces
3/4 c frozen carrots and peas, defrosted
1/4 c soy sauce
1 t toasted sesame oil
2 large eggs, beaten

Directions:
Heat a wok or large sauté pan on high heat. When the pan is hot enough for a bead of water to instantly sizzle and evaporate, add only 1 tablespoon of the grapeseed oil and swirl to coat pan. Add the eggs and stir quickly, until just cooked, about 30 seconds. Remove the eggs and set aside on a plate. Wipe the wok out and then heat another tablespoon of the grapeseed oil in the wok over medium-high heat. Add the vegetables and cook, stirring constantly, for about one minute. Add in the rice and fry for another two minutes or until heated through. Drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of grapeseed oil. Add the soy sauce and sesame oil and continue to stir fry for one minute. Stir in the eggs and serve.

Category: Main Dish or Side Dish
Serves: 4 adults

Nutritional Information:
Calories: 367.5
Fat: 14.2 g
Fiber: 2.2 g
Protein: 9.5 g

Make These Yummy Pumpkin Bars!

Submitted by Maria McCabe

Ingredients:
4 eggs
1 2/3 c brown sugar
1 c vegetable oil
15 oz can pumpkin
2 c sifted all-purpose flour
2 t baking powder
2 t ground cinnamon
1 t salt
1 t baking soda

Icing Ingredients:
8 oz package cream cheese, softened
1/2 c butter, softened
2 c sifted powdered sugar
1 t vanilla

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine eggs, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy. Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda in a separate bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth. Spread the batter into a greased 9×13″ baking pan. Bake 30 minutes or until a toothpick in the cneter comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting. To make icing, combine the cream cheese and butter and beat until smooth with an electric mixer. Add the sugar and mix at a low speed until combined. Stir in vanilla and mix again. Spread over the top of the baked pumpkin mixture. Cut into bars and serve.

Category: Dessert
Serves: 24
Nutritional Information:    
Calories:299
Fat: 8.0 g
Fiber: 0.9 g
Protein:3.0 g

Autumn Apple Rounds Are a Perfect Treat for Kids and Adults Alike!

Autumn Apple Rounds (submitted by Calista White)

Ingredients:                  
1 Apple                  
8 oz. Cheddar cheese in either slices or a big block                  
Fall cookie cutters in various shapes (leaf or pumpkin shapes work well)

Directions:                                        
Wash and core each apple, then slice into eight rounds. Cut cheese by using the cookie cutter to cut through the big block and then using a knife to cut the shape into thin pieces. If you are using slices, have the children use the cookie cutters to cut out their own cheese shapes. (Don’t throw away the edges – they can be used for a snack later). Assemble the apple and cheese slices on a tray and let children pick their cheese shape and apple slice for their snacks.

If desired, you can also spread the apple slices with your choice of nut butter and have the children decorate their slice with raisins or dried cranberries. Or, if you’d like to give them a real treat, have them use chocolate chips instead!

Category: Snack
Serves: 8
Nutritional Information:                    
Calories:127.5                    
Fat: 9.3 g                    
Fiber: 5.4 g                    
Protein:7.0 g

These Baked Apples Are the Perfect Fall Treat!

Baked Apples (submitted by Lennie Dusek)

Ingredients:     
6 Gala or McIntosh apples, cored
2 T Butter
¼ c brown sugar
¼ c walnuts, chopped (optional)
1 t cinnamon
½ c apple juice or apple cider

Directions:      
Heat a large slow cooker on high and preset for two hours. In a large bowl, mix brown sugar, walnuts, butter and cinnamon. Fill the apples with the filling and place in the slow cooker. Pour in the apple juice or cider. Cover and cook for 2 hours on high heat, or until the apples are soft and begin to collapse.

Category: Snack or dessert
Serves: 6
Nutritional Information:          
Calories: 284
Fat: 2.7 g
Fiber: 2.9 g                    
Protein: 1.2 g                 

Baby is Sure to Like This Delicious and Easy Snack!

Avocado Mash (submitted by Tasha L.)

Ingredients:
1 avocado, pit and peel removed (about 1 cup)
1 banana, peeled (about 1 cup)

Directions:
Combine ingredients in a bowl and mash, or use a food processor and puree.

Category: Side dish or snack
Serves: 4

Nutritional Information:
Calories – 86
Fat – 5.6 g
Fiber – 33 g
Protein – 1.1 g