Jessie Cozzens| 16 Jul, 2018

Hey, everyone! I hope you all had a great 4th of July. I know a few of you tried my treats and I hope they were yummy! 

I’m so glad you guys commented a few ideas of what you’d like from our blog. It really helped set a fun plan for future posts that I think you’ll love! That being said, a lot of you asked for simple, healthy, snacks for kids. So, I thought I’d share what I do at my house.

I’ve got protein packed healthy energy bites, hummus that is better than any store bought, and are my kids the only ones who beg for Happy Meals at 8:00am?! 😂 I got tired of them asking and me saying "no" so I created my own “chicken nugget” recipe that my kids inhale and I know yours will too! And no kidding, my husband and I will eat them too! Here’s the simple ingredients and instruction, I’d call it a recipe but I honestly just throw things in and hope for the best so know everything I do is “give and take” but will workout for you, I promise! 

Protein Balls for Kids

Ill start with my protein balls! These are a house favorite and staple! I’m sure a lot of you have tried them but this is the standard mix I make with ingredients I can find in any grocery store. My tip for these is I make them mini! Most people will use a small cookie scoop to make them but when I did, my kids made a mess! So I make them mini little one biters they can just toss in their mouths! Here’s what you’ll need:

- 1 Cup Old Fashioned Oats

- 1/2 Cup Ground Flax Seed (Flax Seed Meal)

- 1/3 Cup Honey

- 1/2 Cup Peanut Butter (I use chunky because we like the peanuts, but use whatever you have)

- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla

- 1/2 Cup Chocolate chips (I use dark chocolate for less sugar and they are just as good!)

Mix all ingredients together, use a spoon and make into bite size balls, put on wax paper lined baking sheet, pop them in the fridge to harden a bit. Then you can store them in a large Ziplock bag or container. 

If my kids say they're hungry or if they want a treat and it's not lunch or dinner time, I will let them eat a couple of these. I know what's in them is healthy and they are just sweet enough that they will feel like they had a treat. These are a lot better than cookies and candy bars! (Save those for your emergency stash when you just can't do life. I do eat these, but sometimes Mama just needs a Snickers!) Haha. 

Homemade Hummus for Kids

I can't even tell you how delicious this recipe is! Hummus is sold everywhere, with lots of different flavors. But once I tried making my own, I was hooked! I love knowing what is inside the food I have in my home. And if I can avoid preservatives, I do. What I love about making this myself, is I can put different flavors in it. If you want it more spicy, you could add a chipotle pepper, cayenne pepper, etc.. You can add lime juice. I've even made dessert hummus! Sounds kinda weird but it is SO good. I'll share that recipe on another blog post for anyone who wants it! Here is the hummus info:

 1 Can Chickpeas (15 oz.)

1/4 Cup Lemon juice

1/4 Cup Tahini 

1 Minced Garlic clove

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cumin

Pinch salt (to taste)

Dash Smoked Paprika 

2 Tablespoons water (may need a bit more to thin it out, but start with 2)

Blend tahini and lemon juice for 1 minute, get to a "whipped" consistency. Add olive oil, garlic, cumin, salt, blend. Add drained chickpeas. Blend well. This is when it will be really thick. So you add the water and just eyeball it and blend until a smooth spreadable consistency. About 2-3 tablespoons. Taste and you may or may not need to add a little more salt.

I store mine just in Tupperware. If I serve this for a crowd I will put it in a bowl and drizzle some olive oil and sprinkle a bit more smoked paprika then serve with crackers and veggies! Delish!! 

Healthy Chicken Nuggets for Kids 

To finish up I'll share my "Chicken Nuggets!" These are so easy! I totally made this recipe up so feel free to use more or less of what I have listed.

Here's what you need: 

2 Chicken breasts, sliced 

2 eggs

1 1/2 Cup Breadcrumbs, I use seasoned breadcrumbs

1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan cheese

Salt/pepper to season chicken

2-3 Tablespoons Water

Sprinkle onion powder, garlic powder (optional)

Cooking spray

Cut chicken breasts into "nugget" like strips. I salt and pepper the chicken so it's seasoned well. Set up a dredge station. Depending on how many chicken strips you have, just eyeball this. I have 2 plates, or pie tins, Scramble 2 eggs in one with a splash of water to thin it out. In the second dish pour in a bit of the breadcrumbs, add Parmesan cheese, OPTIONAL- sprinkle in onion powder, garlic powder, or any seasoning you like. Mix it all with a fork. Take chicken strip, coat in egg, then in the breadcrumb coating. I know most dredging stations call for another step with flour, but I found if I pat the chicken dry with paper towel, the coating sticks just fine and I don't need unnecessary flour. Line on greased baking sheet. I also spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray as well so they get more crispy. Bake at 400 degrees, flipping them over half way for 12-15 minutes or until cooked all the way through. YUM! 

AND we can't ignore how adorable my girls look in the CUTEST SIP outfits!

Tennley (left) is in our Sweet Pink Hot Air Balloon Romper. Link: https://stepankorchagin.com/products/sweet-pink-balloon-romper

Jordyn (right) is in the Vintage Lace Dress and it's only $6.99 right now! Here's the link: https://stepankorchagin.com/products/vintage-lace-dress

Happy (and healthy) eating, everyone!

Love Always, Jessie 

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