Whining and Dining

Yogurt- Covered Fruit Kabobs

It's wicked, wicked hot today in Los Angeles. We ventured out this morning for music class, but have been shut ins (in the AC) for the remainder of the day.

So, I was looking for a yummy snack with several requirements: there is to be no cooking in this house today; we need ingredients that I have kickin' around; and I'd like it be on the healthy side (after our week of having chocolate chip cookies around - see last post). I discovered the below recipe on Kids' Health.com.

Ingredients:

• 1 apple
• 1 banana
• 1/3 c. red seedless grapes
• 1/3 c. green seedless grapes
• 2/3 cup pineapple chunks
• 1 cup nonfat yogurt
• 1/4 c. dried coconut, shredded 

Utensils:

• knife (You'll need help from your adult assistant.)
• 2 wooden skewer sticks
• large plate

Directions:

1. Prepare the fruit by washing the grapes, washing the apples and cutting them into small squares, peeling the bananas and cutting them into chunks, and cutting the pineapple into chunks, if it's fresh. Put the fruit onto a large plate. 
2. Spread coconut onto another large plate.
3. Slide pieces of fruit onto the skewer and design your own kabob by putting as much or as little of whatever fruit you want! Do this until the stick is almost covered from end to end.
4. Hold your kabob at the ends and roll it in the yogurt, so the fruit gets covered. Then roll it in the coconut**
5. Repeat these steps with another skewer.
6. Chill for 30 min. - 1 hour.

**Roll your kabobs in something besides coconut. Try granola, nuts, or raisins, or use your imagination.

The Snack Planner from Whole Foods

Thank you, Whole Foods, for your handy Snack Planner. The good folks there have basically laid out ideas for a week's worth of healthy snacks for your kids. They know that you're trying to squeeze snacks between piano lessons and soccer practice, so many of their ideas are perfectly portable. Also, they ensure that you'll child gets in their whole grains and the recommended 9 daily servings of fruits and veggies.

If you are a parent who is on the go with your kids, trust me, you'll be grateful for this chart!

Click here for the link. Happy Snacking!

Peanut Butter Pretzels: #1 Snack Food in Our House

If I had to pick a favorite snack food, it would hands down go to Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Pretzels. A protein-packed, delicious snack. Only a handful of these bad boys will keep you going. Hubby, our toddler and me all LOVE them. So add them to your next TJ list as long as you are a peanut eating family.

What's even better than eating the PB pretzels plain is indulging in the  Trader Joe's Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Pretzels.

What's even better....making your own Chubby Hubby ice cream. Meaning that you crunch the PB pretzels on top of your vanilla ice cream. And not any vanilla will do. If you're going to indulge here, you should always go with the best -- Double Rainbow Vanilla Ice Cream. (If you haven't tried this ice cream, you MUST, MUST. It is an outstanding vanilla. Well, as outstanding as "vanilla" can be. I say this coming from Blue Bell country, and that's sayin' somethin').

Does my toddler like this?  Of  course, and she loves getting to help crunch up the  pretzels over the ice cream. Fun and delicious.

And there you have it - a snack food and new dessert to love. What more could you ask for?

Meals on the Go: Japanese Balls

Tonight's featured recipe idea inspired me to create a new category, "Meals on the Go." Especially since many of us parents are constantly racking our brains for portable meals.

I thought this was such a great idea to feed an older baby or toddler on-the-go. It's from one of my new favorite blogs, Weeliscious.

Can't wait to make these, wrap'em up and take'em to the beach or zoo or picnic. After all, summer is almost here!

Celebrity Scoop: Apple Martin's Organic Roast Veggie Sticks

Mama Gwenyth Paltrow shares a few healthy, eco-friendly food tips in the April 21 issue of People Magazine. Once her kids were old enough to eat solids she would, "make organic brown rice and keep it in the fridge. I'd puree it with organic vegetables that I'd steamed. It's easy to make organic oats for them in the morning with a little pure maple syrup, or yogurt with flax meal and fruit. As the kids get older: brown rice and black beans with soft tortillas and guacamole - they love dipping."

She also gave People the recipe for Apple's Organic Roast Veggie Sticks. Here goes....

My kids eat these with their fingers. When they cool, the sticks are caramelized and delicious.

-Peel carrots, sweet potatoes and parsnips and cut into thick French-fry size pieces. Toss with a drizzling of olive oil and salt and pepper. Roast at 400 degrees. After 20 minutes, stir in maple syrup, then return to oven until lightly browned. Allow to cool before eating.

Try This: 100% Whole Grain Fig Newtons

Seems like everyone is jumping on the whole grain bandwagon these days and Nabisco is no exception. They have recently released "100% Whole Grain" Fig Newtons, so the delicious healthy-ish snack just got even better. Click here for the nutrition information.

So, don't forget the Newton on your next grocery trip.  A great addition for school lunches or on-the-go snacks for your family! Fig Newtons are a great snack for older babies / toddlers. Although I've never tried it, I hear that they can help keep a tot regular (a frustrating challenge for many a parent).

Oh, and did you know that there's actually a Fig Newton Dance? Well, two of them really. Here are the links if you are bored and want to check it out:
1) Old Commercial -- Fig Newton Dance
2) Fig Newton Dance

Toddler Test Kitchen: Frozen Shelled Edamame

It's been awhile since I've written up a "Toddler Test Kitchen" (a.k.a. things my daughter actually tries and likes at least for the moment). As you may know, toddlers' tastes for certain foods changes faster than the current hot spot in LA. There are many frustrations when it comes to feeding a toddler and the "I-liked-it-yesterday-but-not-today" is one of the worst.

For today, my daughter is all about the frozen shelled edamame served warm with a touch of salt. I buy them at Trader Joe's in the frozen section. I've tried to give her the fresh ones from the refrigerated veggie section, but spit them out so fast. So, if your toddler also turns his or her nose up at edamame, try giving it to them again but warm.

Also, did you know that you can buy frozen edamame with Dora the Explorer or Sponge Bob on them? You can find them at Ralph's and other major chains. What will marketers think of next? Ha! And maybe then, your little one will be all over the edamame.

Try This: Pomegranates & Cheese

I love when I find suprising food combinations. One such combo, pomegranates & cheese, I discovered a few weeks ago. For the sophisticated palate, a.k.a. mom and dad, you can pair the sweet 'n tangy  pomegranate seeds with a mild goat cheese. Perfect on a crostini (pictured here). Preheat your oven to 450. Slice a baguette and place slices on a cookie sheet. Spread with olive oil. Bake until golden brown. Spread with goat cheese (It's easier if it is room temperature). Cut open a pomegranate and remove the seeds. Sprinkle your crostinis with the seeds. Great for an appetizer or eat over an arugula or spinach salad.

For the juniors, you can polka-dot cream cheese spread with some pomegranate seeds. Toast a whole wheat bagel (or whatever you prefer). Spread with cream cheese and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds.

Enjoy during National Pomegranante Month! Don't know how to open a pomegranate?? Click here for a step by step guide

Try This: Nature's Path Pumpkin Flax Plus Granola

Often, I wander around grocery stores and purchase items simply because I like the way it looks. I'm a marketing person, so I appreciate eye-catching packaging that calls my attention to it. I believe this is how I stumbled upon Nature's Path Organic Pumpkin Flax Plus Granola. I've been addicted ever since.

It's chock full of the good fat - Omega 3 and Omega 6 due to the flax seed in it. We all know that good granola is typically higher in fat than other cereals, so at least it's the right kind. And it is so delicious over non-fat yogurt. My daughter loves to eat it, too, so it's on my list of approved, go to snacks.

It's just what your fall palate is craving. You can find this cereal at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. Click here for the nutritional facts.

Try This: Annie's Whole Wheat Bunnies

Goldfish are great and all, but I've been looking for a new animal-shaped cracker to mix things up a bit. Something a tad bit healthier, too. (Although we still have an econo-size Goldfish box from Costco waiting to be eaten).

At Whole Foods, I stumbled across these bunny crackers. So darn cute. They are made with organic whole wheat flour and just the right size for a toddler. A cracker that both mom and child can love.

Click here for more about Annie's products. There's some cool stuff for kids on the site, too.