‘”Mommy, guess who is very busy right now?”
“Who?”
“Auntie Angie is very busy right now.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes. She’s busy baking us all kinds of treats! heheh”
Clearly, my nephew Ethan has been reading my blog! He said that to Kristi as they were flying to Ontario this weekend.
And he was right; it was a very busy weekend cleaning the house, stocking the fridge and freezer, cooking/baking, and wrapping gifts! I’m feeling pretty relaxed though because I didn’t leave everything to the last minute and I got all my meal planning done last week. I really don’t know who I am anymore!
This weekend, I channeled my inner child and tested out a couple kid-friendly snack and meal ideas that I can make while my nephews are here. They are also adult-friendly too of course (and aren’t we all just big kids at heart?).
1) Apple Sandwiches
with peanut butter, granola, vegan overnight oats, chocolate chips (or raisins), coconut
I spotted this idea on Pinterest and I knew that it would be a hit with kids.
Just grab an apple, slice it crosswise, and then use a large pastry tip to punch a hole through the centre to make an ‘apple bagel’ slice.
Then just layer on peanut butter, granola, VOO, coconut, raisins, chocolate chips, etc…anything you desire! These will be really fun to make with my nephews because they can create their own.
2) Chunky Whole Fruit Popsicles
Ange told me about these popsicles and I knew I had to make them for my nephews. All you do is cut up your favourite fruit, drop it into a popsicle mold, and then fill up the remaining space with juice. Freeze overnight.
For the juice, I used this delicious pineapple coconut juice. It’s also clear, so the fruit shows through quite a bit.
They taste great and I’m sure the boys will love ‘em on those hot days!
3) Carrot Spice Muffins
My nephews love muffins, so I will definitely be making a batch of Carrot muffins while they are here!
4) Fruit Pizza with Avocado Lime Whip on a Cinnamon Sugar Crust
This dessert pizza is not only packed with nutrients, but it’s a hit with everyone who tries it. Kids can also help make the pizza too.
5) Green Monsters & Smoothies
My nephews love Green Monsters & Smoothies, so we’ll be making lots of these this week.
6) Easy Cheezy Crackers & Homemade Hummus
These crackers are not only my favs, but they are extremely quick to make and the dough is easy to roll! Kids will have fun using cookie cutters to create all kinds of shapes. They go great with Cheezy Hummus or my favourite homemade hummus.
7) Frosty No Bake Chocolate Cookies
Seconds to whip up, these freezer cookies are great for the summer and filled with healthy ingredients like chia seeds and rolled oats, but the kids won’t know the difference.
8.) Lightened Up Summer Granola
My nephews love granola with milk for breakfast, so a batch of this will definitely go quick!
9) Almond Butter Rice Crisp treats
It’s a bold statement, but I think these Almond Butter Rice Crisp treats are better than the ones I used to make as a kid. Even better, they have ingredients that you can feel good about!
As you know, I’m not usually a meal planner, but when I’m playing hostess for a week and kids are involved, I like to plan ahead.
This week’s kid-friendly meal plan:
Monday: Hawaiian stir-fry with coconut rice
Tuesday: Potluck dinner @ family gathering (I’m contributing Back on Track Wheatberry salad and dessert)
Wednesday: BBQ homemade burgers, roasted veggies, fries, Weekend Glow Kale Salad
Thursday: They will be away this night so Eric and I will probably grab something easy
Friday: Restaurant
Saturday: Build your own pizza night (so excited for this!) + salad (Kerrie and the family join us for the weekend)
Sunday: Pasta dish/casserole (TBD), garlic bread, salad, etc
Lunch ideas: Mac ‘n cheese (using this sauce), peas, and veggie dogs, grilled cheese, sandwiches/subs, etc.
If only I could be this organized every week!
Today is the BIG day- The Great Fundraising Blogger Charity Auction! All proceeds go to our dear friend Susan from The Great Balancing Act who was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I’ve had the opportunity to meet Susan a few times and she is an amazing, fun, and caring person. She’s been fighting her cancer with strength, grace, and positivity that has touched me deeply and everyone who follows her journey. [You can read Susan’s story here].
The lovely Janetha rallied the blogging community together to support Susan with this huge fundraiser..and it’s bigger than we ever dreamed it would be! The blogging community is powerful beyond measure and I know this fundraiser is going to be a huge success.
I have donated 20 Glo Bars up for auction and will ship to anyone in the US or Canada and there are hundreds of other amazing auction items to bid on! It runs from 8am EST until 4-11pm EST (staggered closing) TODAY July 25th.
Head on over and support a great cause! I’m off to submit some bids!
Ummm I”m not even a “kid” anymore and I would totally make/eat these!!!! Especially the apple bagel and the frosty cookies, omg I want.
Ok I love your site and all the recipes I have tried…but unfortunately a lot of things require some expensive ingredients :( I was drooling over that fruit pizza…
So out of curiosity what is your food budget? I get that you can consider your food a business expense but I’m still curious to see if it’s even attainable.
Thanks and have fun with the kids the treats you have planned will be sure winners.
Hi Khaira,
I buy many of my ingredients in bulk and it saves a TON of money. We’ve also found that not buying expensive meat saves us a lot too. I think it all balances out in the end. We have some really dirt cheap meals every day thanks to vegan baking with grains and seeds!
Yum! I want to come visit! lol. :) Sounds like you are very organized this week! Love it!
Good lord – those popsicles look wonderful! That’s such a great idea, even to get adults to eat less sugary crap and have a nice frozen fruit treat instead. I’m going to have to try that one – thank!
Love all the kids food!!! My kids would be all over that-can they come visit too? You’re such a good auntie!!
Oh my gosh those apple sandwiches are SO cute!
Great ideas! I will try them out on my son. The apples look so good!
lovelovelove! these recipes look and I know TASTE amazing :)
I am all over this apple sandwich idea! LOVE!
woww those popsicles look sooo pretty! haha, I can’t wait to have my own kids and make things with them :D
I am craving those apple sandwiches. The popsicles too come to think of it.
I love those frozen oat cookie things. Super easy to make and because they are kept in the freezer, you can’t eat them all at once! In one batch, I threw in some goji berries. Yummy flavour and colour!
this makes me wish that i had an aunt like you. for the crackers, if i dont have nutritional yeast, can i use normal active yeast? if so, will it be the same amount of your nutritional yeast? please try to answer me! thank you :)
Nope, normal yeast isnt a sub for nutritional yeast.
Why have I never thought of apple sandwiches before?! That’s so much more clever than just dipping apple slices into peanut butter (which is one of my favorite snacks). I wish I had kids to make those for! I guess I’ll just have to make them for myself…and my fiance, if he’s lucky. ;)
Awww first time I login on my vacation, totally love the new look of the site!!!!!! :)
Awwww, how cute!!! Just getting you prepped for when you have little healthy ones of your own ;) Your granola is killing me over here…I have to try it!
xxoo
Paul made these apple sandwiches for dessert tonight – very YUM!!
Thanks for sharing!
Wow. I’d like to be a kid at your place!! :) So many awesome ideas!
Thank you so much for bidding on my stuff in the auction – it made my day to see your name as one of my bidders!! Especially since I get so much of my inspiration from you!!
Enjoy your time!
Im sad I didnt win! :( I was away from the comp when family arrived. Im so happy how much everything raised though!
Thanks for the ideas! Yum!
I made your version of Date Squares for my 20 month-old’s play group today and it was so popular with both the adults and the kids. It was really good to be able to tell the Mums that there were no added sweeteners other than the dates. Paired with homemade Hummus & veggie sticks, it was a healthy feast!
Thats great to hear!