Quick & Healthy Mommy Snacks

When it comes to eating during the day, it’s so easy to grab a handful of junk food to eat as you pass through the kitchen on your way to change a diaper or to get your toddler down off the table before he dives head first onto the floor (or is that just me?).  Let’s face it, it’s easier to grab a handful of chips, crackers, or your child’s leftover fruit snacks, than it is to fix a healthy, nutritious snack.

But, as a busy mom, the last thing we need is something that won’t give us energy to get through the day. We need fast, easy to prepare and eat snacks to eat on the go (and if you’re lucky enough) or in those extra 5 minues you have while your toddler is busy unrolling the entire roll of  toilet paper onto the bathroom floor. (Is that just me again? Oh well!)

Try these no-fail ideas that you can eat or drink no matter how much you’re dealing with!

How about a wrap?  Toss some fillings into a tortilla and you’re off!  Keep some low-fat tortillas or pita pockets in the fridge and fill with veggies, garbanzo beans, hard boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, low-fat cheddar cheese or even some cream cheese and canned salmon.

Try a smoothie that you make at home or even one that you buy pre-made at the store.   Stonyfield Farms, Dannon and Horizon are just a few of the companies that offer drinkable yogurts full of probiotics and antioxidants to boost your immune system to fight off the winter yuks.  You can make your own at home by grabbing your blender and throwing in some low-fat yogurt (any flavor you like) and some fruit such as, bananas, blueberries or raspberries.

Grab and go snacks such as all natural cheese sticks, mixed dried fruit, fresh veggies or almonds are always a good choice if you’re really pressed for time.  Have some premixed dips such as, peanut butter and honey, cottage cheese and dry ranch dip mix or salad dressing on hand to jazz up your snack a little as well.  A banana, cheese cubes and a few whole grain crackers, a homemade whole wheat muffin, frozen grapes or a mini bagel is always a better tasting choice than chips and high sugar snacks any day!

Make your own or buy a healthy version of a hot pocket and stick in the microwave for a 60 seconds for a quick, filling meal.  Buy dinner rolls at the store and fill with your favorite sandwich meat or chicken, cheese and veggies.  Heat and go!

The healthy, filling snack options are endless!  Do some research on the web before you head to the store next time.  I’m sure you’ll be able to come up with some easy favorites of your own!

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Day 3: Project Home Organization

Well, on to day 3 of my home organization.

I normally shop for 2 weeks of groceries and only run back to the store for staples such as bread, milk and eggs in-between trips.  Well, that’s the plan anyways.  Sometimes I decide I don’t want whatever I’ve planned for a meal or have a craving for something sweet, so I allot  for those trips as well.

This week when I brought home my groceries, I just knew it was time to clean out the pantry!  I didn’t have room for any of the new items and the shelves were overflowing and I had no idea what was in there.  I do straighten it all the time, but I don’t get in there and pull everything out and take inventory of what I have.  Boy, did I have a lot of stuff I didn’t know about!

BEFORE

6 bags of egg noodles, 3 boxes of elbow macaroni, 2 half empty bags of flower, 2 bottles of canola oil ( I don’t even use this!), numerous packets of taco seasoning, an overflowing recycle bin and lots and lots more!

I whipped it all out and started fresh.  I did not go out and buy anything to help make organizing easier or more efficient. Later on I’ll tackle the expense of nice bins for cereal, crackers, pasta and such and the Mabel’s Labels Household Labels. But not today!  Just good old fashioned elbow grease and organization skills.

AFTER

Since I tackled the pantry, it just made sense to organize the spice cabinet as well.

BEFORE

AFTER

Much better!  I feel like a new women.  I don’t know about you, but when things are neat and orderly, I feel much more calm and clear AND  I know where things are and what I have.

Next project:  Entry Way!

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Greening Your Kitchen

Greening the kitchen doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Below are some simple steps from Sara Snow that you can take in the kitchen to lessen your impact on the environment.

• Set up an easy-to-locate recycling center and get the whole family in on the game. Using chalk and chalkboard paint, label old buckets or bins to make sorting recyclables easy

• Save 5,000 to 7,000 gallons of water each year by foregoing the pre-rinse and sticking your dishes straight into the dishwasher. To conserve even more water, never run a dishwasher that isn’t full.

• Keep leftovers in glass or ceramic bowls and store them covered with Reynolds Wrap Foil from 100% Recycled Aluminum

• Cool leftovers before you store them in the refrigerator. For optimum efficiency, keep your fridge full, but not overly stuffed.

• Reuse old cloth or heavy-weight plastic bags when you go to the grocery store. Because many stores now offer incentives like “a nickel a bag,” you’ll save money as well as precious resources.

Greening the kitchen also applies to the foods you eat.

• Switch to organically grown and produced foods to reduce your daily dietary pesticide exposure by as much as 98 percent

• Wondering where to start when it comes to organics for your kids? Pick those foods that they eat the most of and those that pose the greatest pesticide exposure risk according to the Organic-Center’s “pocket guide.”

• Shop farmers’ markets or join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) for fresh and local foods that are nutrient and flavor rich, but light on the “long-distance footprint”

• Load up on fruits and vegetables when they’re in season in your area. Bag and freeze them so you can enjoy locally-grown foods even in the dead of winter.

• Shop the perimeter of the grocery story for the healthiest and freshest foods, including fresh produce, dairy, meats and frozen goods

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