Good for snacking

In the past I have posted many different recipes for protein balls.  They are a huge hit in my house, easy to eat on the go, and light enough to give your kids before dinner time.  I am going to share with you all the recipes that I have tried, as well as a recipe adaptation that I made earlier this week.  All recipes can be made gluten-free by using certified gluten-free oats.  To make them lunch box friendly use seed butter instead of nut butter.

• cranberry, chocolate almond every bites
• PB & J every bites
• cranberry vanilla energy bites
• peanut butter pretzel energy bites
• oatmeal raisin cookie every bites
• chocolate energy bites
• peanut butter energy bites (this is our family favourite and the recipe that I adapted to make my own)
  

  Peanut butter coconut energy bites  (recipe has been adapted from The Lemon Bowl)
  1 cup of oats
  1/2 cup of Nature’s Path Coconut Chia Granola
  1/2 cup of flax meal
  1/2 cup of peanut butter (to make these nut free use seed butter)
  1/4 cup of honey
  1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
  1/4 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut (this is used for rolling)

  Place all ingredients into a bowl except the shredded coconut.  Mix until combined.  Using a tablespoon scoop, form into balls, roll balls in coconut.  Place in a container in the fridge.  Allow them to set before eating.

Happy snacking,
Sara

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Weekly meals Feb. 13-17

Meal updates from last week:
The shredded beef tacos did not turn out like I had imagined.  I microwaved the tortillas as instructed, but they all tore as soon as I rolled them up.  The dish ended up looking really messy.  The meatballs in the turkey soup were great, but the broth was very bland.  I do not think that I will make this recipe again.  The cranberry protein balls were a huge hit!  The flavour and texture of these ones were very different from the peanut butter based ones.  I will be making these again.

Love week, we will be eating in Monday-Thursday which includes Valentine’s Day.  Friday we will be eating out, and we do not have plans for Saturday.  The weather is supposed to be lovely so I will be firing up the bbq for two of my meals.

1. Lasagne soup from @farmgirlsdabble I will serve this with a caesar salad (I have made this soup many times and it is a huge hit.  I omit the ricotta when serving to my kids).
2. Valentine’s Day menu:
   Lobster tails with artichoke risotto from @travelcooktell and a green veggie on the side: asparagus, green beans or a salad.  For dessert I will be making the no-bake cheesecake that I posted last week in Sweet Treats.
3. Greek turkey burgers with tzatziki from @foodiecrush (I will serve this with a greek salad)
4. Grilled Hawaiian chicken teriyaki bowls from tastesbetterfromscratch.com (I have made this bowl before, and the flavours are amazing together!  I will be making steamed rice for the bowl base, not the coconut rice that the recipe calls for).

For breakfast this week I will be trying out a new recipe for oatmeal breakfast bites.  For snack I will be going back to the protein balls from @thelemonbowl they have been the biggest hit in our house.  This week I will be looking for recipes for protein balls that are lunchbox safe.

Don’t forget to print the dinner-list-3 for your weekly grocery shopping.

Happy cooking,
Sara

Kid Friendly Snacks

If your kids are anything like mine then as soon as they are home from school they are looking for snacks.  It is a tricky time to feed children, they need something to tide them over until dinner, but giving them too much may impact their appetite.  I always try to give a fruit or vegetable and a protein.  Here is a list of kid approved snacks:

• smoothies: frozen fruit, half a banana, any type of milk, yogurt and a handful of spinach.
• banana split: cut a banana in half lengthwise, cover with yogurt and top with berries and nuts.
• ants on a wheel: thinly slice an apple, spread slices with nut butter and top with raisins.  (sometimes we also add some chocolate chips)
• energy bites: our new favourite recipe is from @thelemonbowl
• home-made snack mix: pretzels, raisins, chocolate chips, Chex cereal and goldfish crackers.  (this is also a great snack to send to school)
• cheese and crackers

Happy snacking,

Sara