LATE AUGUST, 2013

We've been on a roll these past few weeks dreaming up new lunch box and after-school snack ideas. Snack time is a great opportunity for filling in the nutritional gaps in a child's day, so you can bet your bottom dollar that our new creations are brimming with fiber, calcium, vitamins A and C, and plenty of other nutrients kids need!

Check 'em out ...

Honey, I Love You Bars: Our homemade granola bars are made with oats, wheat germ, almond butter and almonds, honey, dates, and protein-packed eggs, and they work wonders as a snack or an on-the-go breakfast.

Blueberry Banana Snack Cake: With two fruits, whole wheat flour, ground flaxseed, and just 1/4 cup sugar, we've relegated this recipe from a dessert to a snack. Our kids adore it ... and we're sure yours will too.

Seven Smart Snacking Tips for Lunch Boxes: Our tips are designed to change the way you think about kid snacks. Visit our blog for tips like Making Snacks Fun & Playful, Planning Ahead, Incorporating a Fruit or Veggie ... and more.

Make-Your-Own Salad in a Jar: This is less of a recipe and more of an idea. We layer salad dressing with ingredients like lettuce, white beans, shredded carrot, cheese and lots more ... and we do it in an adorable mason jar.

And ... don't forget to tune in to our latest Cooking with the Moms radio podcast episode on Snack Ideas for Back to School.

Happy smart snacking!

JANICE and LIZ

SunRidge Farms

This cool California company just sent us some of their nutritious snacks to sample: Organic Supreme Almonds, Organic Hit the Trail Trail Mix, and Organic Deluxe Trail Mix (which Liz sent to Josh in a college care package). The SunRidge Farms snacks were delicious---we used the almonds in our Honey, I Love You Bars---and the company is a Certified Green Business which makes their snacks taste even better.

Simply Sprouted Way Better Snacks

Way Better Snacks are made with broccoli seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, and quinoa which have all been sprouted. Sprouting increases the amount of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in the seeds and boosts digestibility. The company sent us a sampling of their tortilla chips---Sweet Potato, Black Bean, Sweet Chili---and it was impossible to eat just one ...

Van's Natural Foods

We've been fans of Van's frozen waffles for years, and now they're out with a new lineup of better-for-you snack foods. We just tried their gluten-free The Perfect 10 Crackers and Fire Roasted Veggie Crackers, and we also sampled their Say Cheese Snack Packs and gluten-free Cinnamon Heaven Cereal. Love them all!