Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal

3 cups milk or water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
2 large bananas, sliced
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
In a large saucepan, bring milk and salt to a boil. Stir in oats; cook for 1-2 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat. Stir in the bananas, peanut butter and vanilla. Yield: 4 servings.

15 back to school snacks

First, start with the staples. Every week try to have a variety of items from the list. All food should be ready to eat (you’ve already done all the peeling, slicing, or other prep work necessary) and are preferably finger foods. Here are some staples to consider:

*Ants on a log (celery sticks filled with peanut butter topped with raisins)
*Carrot sticks, with ranch dip in a small Tupperware container
*Edamame
*Bags of apple slices
*Melon wedges
*Grapes
*Blueberries
*String cheese
*Mini low fat yogurts
*Dried peaches
*Individual bags of raisins or dried cranberries
*Individual bags of trail mix

Once or twice a week, surprise them with one of the “specials” of the house. The element of the unknown makes hitting the snack shelf even more fun—and makes sugary, processed foods a thing of the past. Here are a few ideas:

Homemade Guacamole
*3 avocadoes
*1 tablespoon lemon juice
*2 tablespoons of your favorite salsa
*2 tablespoons low fat sour cream

Using a knife, remove the avocado pits. Then using a spoon, scoop out the avocado flesh and cut into two-inch cubes. Place in a mixing bowl and add lemon juice, salsa, and sour cream. Mix on low speed until the dip is well blended and creamy.

Turkey Rollups
*1 sheet of hye roller flatbread
*4 ounces of cream cheese, softened
*2 tablespoons low fat ranch dressing
*4 slices turkey
*½ cucumber, thinly sliced
In a small bowl, whisk together the soft cream cheese with the ranch dressing. Using a small butter knife or offset spatula spread the cream cheese mixture to completely cover the top side of the flatbread. Lay slices of the turkey and cucumber atop the cream cheese. Roll up from the short side and slice into two-inch mini rolls. To store in the refrigerator, place a damp paper towel on top of the sandwiches (this prevents drying) and cover with plastic wrap.

Cashew Crunch Parfait
*2 cups old fashioned oats
*1 cup cashew pieces
*¼ cup vegetable oil
*¼ cup maple syrup
*2 cups frozen raspberries, thawed and drained
*low fat French vanilla yogurt
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl add the oats, cashews, vegetable oil and maple syrup and stir until well combined. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spread the oat mixture over it evenly. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring the mix every five minutes for even cooking. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
To assemble parfaits, use small clear glasses. Alternate layers of yogurt with layers of the berries. Leave room at the top of the glass and your child can sprinkle the cashew crunch on top to finish off the parfait (store in a plastic container next to the refrigerator for easy

Monkey Bars

*1 2/3 cups mashes, rips bananas (about 5)

* 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

* 1/4 cups veg. oil

* 2 large eggs

* 1 3/4 cups white whole wheat flour

* 1 cup mini chocolate chips

* 1/4 tsp salt

* 1 tsp baking soda

* 1 tsp cinnamon

Prep: 10 minutes * Total: 30 minutes * 80 calories per bar

1. Heat oven to 350. Line a 15x10 1/2 inch baking pan with foil (let extend 2 inches over the pan at both ends)

2. Whisk mashed bananas, sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl until mixed thoroughly.

3. Whisk in flour until blended, gently stir in 1/2 cup chips

4. Spread batter into prepared pan

5. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips over the top

6. Bake 15-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool completely. Cut and enjoy

10 Healthy Eating Tips for kids

1. Food is FUN! Enjoy your food

2. Breakfast is a very important meal

3. Set a good eating example for your children

4. Eat lots of different foods, variety is a recipe for health

5. Give me 5! Eat fruits and vegetables with every meal, and as a tasty snack

6. Too much saturated fat is not good for your health

7. Eat regularly and choose a variety of snacks

8. Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of liquids

9. care for your teeth. Brush at least twice a day

10. Get moving! Be active with your children daily!

Delish Brownies..with carrot and spinach puree

These brownies are low in calories and saturated fat and packed with 3 grams of fiber, and antioxidants from the carrots and spinach. My kids honestly have no idea what is in these brownies. Make sure they are served completely cooled so the spinach flavor disappears.

Prep: 15 minutes * Total: 55 minutes * Makes 12 Brownies * 133 calories per serving

*nonstick cooking spray
*3 oz semisweet or bittersweet chocolate
*1/2 cup carrot puree (about 2 handfuls baby carrots)
*1/2 cup spinach puree
*1/2 cup light brown sugar
*1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
*2 tbs trans-fat-free margarine
*2 tsp vanilla extract
*2 large egg whites
*3/4 cups oat flour
*1/2 tsp baking powder
*1/2 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 350. Coat 8x8 inch baking pan with cooking spray

2. Melt the chocolate in double boiler over a very low flame.

3. In a large bowl, combine melted chocolate, vegetable purees, sugar, cocoa powder, margarine, vanilla, and whisk until smooth, about 1-2 minutes.

4. Whisk in egg whites. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt with a wooden spoon.

5.Pour batter into pan and bake 35-40 minutes. Cool completely in pan before cutting into 12 bars.