Apple Fries

Most kids love french fries, but french fries are filled with bad fats and don't have much to offer nutritionally either. Why not give apple fries a try? Quick, easy and packed full of vitamins, what do you have to lose? You can make up a batch of apple fries in less than 5 minutes. Serve them as healthy snack alternatives or pack them in lunch boxes.

 What's needed
• Apples
• Lemon Juice
• Cutting Board
• Knife
• Mixing Bowl

Directions
• Wash apples and dry
• Core apples and peel off skin
• Cut apples into 2-3 inch long sticks. They should be thick enough so they wont' break when transported. Simply cut them so that they resemble french fries.
• Add a teaspoon of lemon juice and the apple fries to the mixing bowl and toss (prevents browning)

Did you know?
Apples are high in fiber and health-promoting phytonutrients, including plant-based antioxidants. Apples come in many different varieties, shapes, and colors. Some are tart, while others are super sweet. Check out the apple chart at pickyourown.org








If I'm making a huge amount of apple fries I like to use The Apple Machine. It was actually a Christmas gift from my parents, and I just love it! My son loves to help Mommy prep apples with it too. It's the best apple peeler/corer I have ever owned, and I have been through quite a few. The suction cup bottom is a nice feature, my old ones just had the clamps, this comes with both so you can use whichever you prefer.

1 Minute Snack Mixes

Homemade snack mixes are a healthy alternative to packaged chips and other snack items that offer zero nutritional value. Keep an abundance of the below ingredients on hand and ready to mix at a moments notice.

• Whole grain cereals
• Nuts- Be sure to check with your school first, some kids are allergic to nuts, also a choking hazard
• Raisins
• Dried Fruits- pineapple, banana chips, mixed fruits, blueberries, cranberries,  apple chips, and so on
• Pretzels
• Sesame Seeds
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Fish shaped cheese crackers
• Chocolate chips
• Coconut
• Cinnamon
• Homemade spice mixes such as ranch

Some snack mix recipes call for prep using the stove or oven, but simplifying these sort of recipes and omitting the need for cooking will save time. You can mix up your healthy combinations and store in a large airtight container to have on hand all week. Another idea is to store the ingredients seperately in airtight cotainers and stack them in your pantry. Simply pull out the stack then pick and choose which ingredients to use, add to a big bowl, mix, and pack! Kids will also enjoy making their own snack mixes.

A few of my sons favorite combinations

Toasted honey o's (whatever brand you like)
Apple chips
Dash of cinnamon
Raisins

Dried pineapple chunks
Banana chips
Coconut flakes
Cashews

Pretzel sticks
Dark chocolate chips
Dried cherries
Peanuts

Kashi Honey Puffs
Banana Chips
Dried Blueberries

The possibilities are endless, hopefully this list will inspire you and your family to create your own yummy snack mixes!

Have some snack mix ideas you'd like to share with everyone? Simply leave a comment.