There are so many choices new parents need to make, and what to feed their baby is no exception. It can be trial and error when it comes to finding the right formula and tummy troubles can make for one cranky babe. Not sure why your baby is fussing with feeding? It could be a cow milk sensitivity.
Cue Kabrita USA, and their line of gentle goat milk-based toddler formula and foods as an alternative to the norm, because let’s face it: what is normal, anyway? Kabrita products are based on naturally easy-to-digest goat milk. Goat milk protein is gentle on tiny tummies, so it’s great for babies and toddlers. Just like traditional formula, their toddler formula is fortified with 22 vitamins and minerals (along with DHA), giving children nutritional insurance and parents assurance. Read on to learn more about Kabrita’s all-natural, science-backed products and why they may be the feeding solution your family needs!
Goat milk has always been a bit of a trade secret among parents and is known for its naturally easy-to-digest properties. Kabrita has harnessed goat milk’s gentle benefits into its line of goat milk foods, designed for babies and toddlers.
Compared to cow milk, goat milk protein forms a smaller, softer and looser curd in the tummy, leading to quick and easy digestion. Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula is an option for little ones with cow milk consumption symptoms, or cow milk sensitivity.
Wait, different types of milk are digested differently? Yep. We were surprised, too! Don’t worry, you can learn about the essential differences in milk digestion here.
They also offer nutrient-dense, goat milk-based porridges—available in multigrain and apple cinnamon flavors. This cereal is easy on the tummy, packed with nutrition and is delicious, making it an ideal first food. There are even goat-cheese Snack Puffs. These toddler-sized puffs pack a big crunch and are made for snacking on the go!
For Moms, By Moms
We love trailblazers: Kabrita USA is disrupting the formula category with a new option for parents!
Kabrita USA is 100% women run and led by moms. Their mission is to empower parents to nourish their children with confidence. They strive to add value to their community through a commitment to education, transparency and supportive communication. Say it with me: MOM POWER!
Back-to-school is looking more like back-to-remote-learning-at-home for so many families this new academic year. For parents that work remotely at home, the neverending juggle is all too real, especially when you add breakfast/lunch/dinner prep to the mix—not to mention having snacks handy. Find balance by scheduling a few meal deliveries in advance, well before meal-planning fatigue sets in, so you can count on having healthy meals ready-to-go minus the headache. Read on and delete “lunch lady” from your list of newly acquired COVID-related titles.
Versatility is what makes Home Chef stand out in the meal delivery crowd. And with lunch meal kits that can be assembled in less than five minutes, Home Chef is the perfect solution to parents stuck filling in for the school cafeteria at home. You can choose to select your meals ahead of time and have everything direct to your door; or for those that prefer to skip the planning phase, wing it and grab a meal to go at Mariano’s. Every kit you order from Home Chef has all the ingredients you need to make a simple delicious meal with dinner options that take 15-30 minutes or less. They also make it easy to customize your protein in online orders and slow cooker, carb and calorie-conscious meals are available, too. Save even more time by adding pantry staples to your order from their curated selection and you’ll always be able to count on a well-stocked kitchen.
Farmer's Fridge makes it easier than ever to stock your fridge with ready-to-eat, affordable healthy meals and snacks. Their recyclable plastic jars of salad, yogurt parfaits, burrito bowls, overnight oats and mini jars of snacks like cheese cubes, trail mix, gluten-free cookie dough bites, falafel and diced grilled chicken are perfect for families that need plenty of healthy options on hand for picky eaters. Plus you can reuse the jars to store crayons, small toys, art supplies, etc. Check out the Farmer’s Fridge Chef Collabs, a new series of dishes inspired by what their chefs are eating right now, with a portion of proceeds donated to the charity of each chef’s choice.
Kitchfix brings healthy meals and snacks direct to your door. Their chef-driven menu highlights delicious, whole ingredients and pasture-raised meats from local farms. Families can choose medium or large-sized portions, shop based on dietary restrictions, and even customize most meals to nutritional needs. The chef-crafted menu which always included plenty of kid-friendly options changes weekly, so choose to order for delivery “this week” or “next week.” Choose delivery to your home or office, or pick up from a convenient hub, then receive, reheat, and enjoy!
Tip: Be sure to try their wildly popular grain-free granola and waffles, both quick, easy and healthy breakfast options when paired with fresh fruit and yogurt.
Tovala bills itself as “a meal service for insanely busy people” because it eliminates the need to food shop, prep, cook and clean thanks to their WiFi-connected smart oven (which you can order through them). You’ll receive weekly deliveries of chef-made meals; just pop them into your Tovala oven, scan a QR code and the oven automatically steams, bakes and broils just like a regular oven.
HelloFresh is a pretty great option for families that like to serve home-cooked meals. . . but don't have time for grocery shopping or extensive meal prep. Expect a box to arrive on your doorstep filled with all the high-quality, farm-fresh ingredients you need to prep quick, easy and healthy meals. Easy-to-follow recipes with clear nutritional info make meal prep fast and simple, so you can get a meal on the table in a flash. Families can customize their tastes, too, by requesting veggie-based meals or taking a pass on certain ingredients that kids often despise (mushrooms, kiddos?), and the family-friendly plan guarantees meals that both kids and parents will enjoy.
Planning and prepping three square meals a day for the kids at home is never easy. Enter Chicago-based subscription meal service Nurture Life: they’ll prepare fresh, ready-to-enjoy food options that appeal to kids ages 10 mos.-11 yrs (as well as teen, adult and family-style meals) and deliver them straight to your door in refrigerated boxes. Each meal focuses on organic produce, antibiotic-free proteins and whole grains and can be served up in two minutes or less.
Veestro asks consumers to “imagine devouring delicious, healthy meals daily without so much as lifting a pot”. For families following a plant-based diet, or for anyone looking to dip their toes into giving it a try, Veestro offers vegan meal delivery direct to your home. All meals are chef-prepared, made fresh from organic, non-GMO plants and their creative recipes combat the myth that vegans only eat kale. Each meal arrives frozen in an insulated shipping container and can be kept in the freezer for up to 8 weeks.
Freshly delivers balanced, flavorful, better-for-you meals, ready to eat in just three minutes. Complex carbs, nutrient-dense ingredients, quality proteins and healthy fats are the focus, and every meal is certified gluten-free and excludes 85+ banned ingredients Freshly says “no” to, keeping your family’s nutrition on point. Each Freshly meal is perfectly sized for one person to enjoy at one sitting, and you can customize your order to your family’s size, with plans starting at four meals per week. Plus the menu features healthy kid (and adult!) favorites like chicken parm, Swedish meatballs and down-home turkey meatloaf.
Jafflz delivers a fun, healthy lunchtime option to your doorstep: Jaffles, traditional South African toaster-type sandwiches with savory fillings like BBQ sloppy joe, mac ‘n cheese, enchilada, cheese pizza and more. South African native Meryl van der Merwe, a classically trained gourmet chef and mom, built her company with a goal to provide wholesome meals for health-conscious families on the go. Made from scratch with all-natural premium ingredients, the sandwiches arrive at your door frozen and are easy enough for even a kid to reheat in a microwave, oven or toaster oven. Select between a 6, 8, 10, 14, 18 or 20 Jafflz® variety pack, or choose a box of your faves so you always have a healthy lunch in the freezer, ready to reheat and eat in a flash.
Just for fun, check out the Lunch Lady paperback series by Jarrett Krosocka on Amazon. Much to the surprise of characters Hector, Terrence, and Dee, they find out through some detective-level sleuthing their mysterious lunch lady serves sloppy joes by day and justice by night!
The coronavirus pandemic is a strange animal. One moment we can feel the frustration of having to watch Frozen 2 for the 47th time this week, and the next we can feel grateful for extra time with the kids. For times when those feelings are overwhelming, there are things that Seattle families can do to help others and in return give ourselves a little peace of mind. From writing letters to seniors, to paying it forward with cupcakes and ice cream, to adopting a furry friend, here’s how you can make a difference in Seattle now.
Write Letters of Love
Tinte Cellars
This is a project that will not only keep everyone in the family busy, but also serves as a creative outlet and a way to think of others. Join Teresa Spellman Gamble and Tim Gable, owners of Tinte Cellars is Woodinville, with their Letters of Love for the Elderly project. During this time of isolation, senior citizens may be feeling more isolated than ever. The Gables are encouraging families to pick up a pen (or crayon as the case may be) and create a homemade greeting card that can make someone’s day. Working with Northshore Senior Center, these cards are being distributed to senior communities in Woodinville, Bothell, Kenmore, Mill Creek and Kirkland. Learn more about the do’s and don’ts of this project here.
Mail your completed Letters of Love to:
Corey Lowell, Director of Senior Centers Northshore Senior Center 10201 E. Riverside Dr. Bothell, WA 98011
Send Emergency Cupcakes
Trophy Cupcakes
Trophy Cupcakes are not only spreading frosting, but they are also spreading love to hospitals, first responders, families without enough and lonely seniors in the form of delicious cupcakes with their Pay it Forward program. Here’s how it works: you buy the cupcakes, they do the delivery. Plus, when our world gets back to (somewhat) normal, Trophy vows to continue to donate a dozen cupcakes for every dozen purchased through this Pay It Forward program. You’ll be supporting a local business and underserved communities at the same time. Doubly delicious.
Adopt a Baby...Gorilla
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo
If you thought your kids were wild, wait until you become a Digital ZooParent to a baby gorilla, Humboldt penguin or red panda. Families interested in supporting Woodland Park Zoo’s relief fund, that provides much-needed daily care to the zoo's many animals, can donate $40 to make their adoption official. In return, you'll receive a PDF adoption certificate, desktop wallpaper of your newest addition (can you say new Zoom background?), bragging rights in the form of a Facebook frame and online recognition too. The best part? No diapers to change this time around.
Now is a great time to check on neighbors you haven’t seen in a while and find out if they need any assistance. Perhaps they are short on a few groceries or would really like someone to walk their dog. Or maybe they need their lawn mowed. Leaving them a gift of flowers on their doorstep or sending the troops over to pick weeds in the garden can help curb boredom and show them that you care.
Share a Meal
Atrium
As Chef Traci from Atrium Kitchen watched her booked events cancel due to COVID-19, she made up her mind to use this time to do something good for others by making fresh-prepared, nutrient-dense, nourishing meals and delivering them to home-bound seniors who are unable or fearful of leaving their homes. She has been making two “meal drops” every week since March 15 to home-bound seniors in Seattle, Queen Anne, Capitol Hill and Ballard, as well as to two shelters feeding the homeless. Here's how you can help. To start, if there is a home-bound senior in need, please connect Atrium Kitchen and they will add them to their delivery schedule. Second, if you are in a position to do so, they would value your contribution, as every bit helps.
Give a Little Kindness
glassybaby
A generous pledge to glassybaby's white light foundation means that over the next few weeks, when you purchase a glassybaby, $10 will go to support frontline COVID-19 efforts. The plan is to donate $70,000 to hospital worker relief efforts and food banks supporting our community. Sounds like the perfect time to add to your collection or send a hopeful message to a friend, right?
Seattle families can also act as a beacons of hope by participating in glassybaby's #littlelightsofgratitude, a nightly light display happening in homes around the Sound. Simply light a glassbaby or another candle at 8 p.m. and place it in your window for everyone to see. Light your candles on April 23 to honor nursing home staff and on April 26 to honor teachers and school support staff.
Give a Little Bliss
Bliss Small Batch Creamery
Another local institution thanking local health care workers is Bliss Small Batch Creamery. They are letting our first responders know that they are seen, and that they care about them and appreciate all that they are doing every day. Bliss is doing that by packing up containers of ice cream and delivering them to local medical facilities, who get them to the amazing workers there. Here’s how you can help: buy a gift card for a friend or for yourself on Bliss’ website to redeem for ice cream in their shop at University Place, and Bliss will donate 50% of the sale of that card for those health care workers.
Send the Tulip Festival to Others
Tulip Town
COVID-19 has impacted lots of local traditions and events, including Skagit Valley's annual Tulip Festival. Turning lemons into lemonade, Tulip Town is currently offering tulip deliveries to local hospitals, nursing homes and other courageous members of the community with their Color for Courage program. For $15, you can send a bunch of tulips to help brighten a stranger’s day as they recover from this horrible virus.
Some have estimated that local spending is down about 75%. So many local restaurants are operating on a shoestring budget in hopes of staying in business. They need our patronage more than ever before. Consider supporting a local business by buying a meal or two this week at one of your favorite restaurants. Many are offering free delivery too. You can also purchase a gift card now to use later when that restaurant opens up its doors again. The Pay Forward Project offers a variety of restaurant gift cards at one website location.
Blood donation levels are low all across the country right now. The good news is that potential blood donors are exempt from stay-at-home orders in Washington. You have some time on your hands, right? Schedule an appointment with Bloodworks Donor Centers or the American Red Cross. Even those who have recovered from COVID-19 may be eligible to help those who are currently sick. Locations are pretty much everywhere, so it's easy to find one nearby.
For 30 years now, FareStart has been “helping people transform their lives through food” and escape the poverty cycle. FareStart teaches life skills through their restaurants and meal-serving programs giving people practical work experience while giving back to their community. That includes a variety of social programs and schools, and just because schools are no longer in session, the lunch programs continue. “Your contribution is not just a gift to transform a person's life, it is an investment in a model for real social progress.”
During these crazy days of COVID-19, local hospitals can really use our help to fight the pandemic. Donations given go toward medical supplies and critical equipment. Here are some local foundations that will put your donation to good use:
Ah, snacktime. It’s our kids’ favorite time of the day, but for us parents, it can be a little more tricky. We’re always searching for snacks that are convenient for us, healthy for them and delicious enough to satisfy picky palates. Below, we’ve rounded up a bunch of new snacks that totally fit the bill, just in time for the back-to-school rush. Snacktime meltdowns are about to become a thing of the past—just scroll down to get the goods.
Fall 2019
Fruit Crunch Parfait
These new fruit parfait cups from Del Monte are perfect for anyone working with non-dairy dietary restrictions. The coconut creme has the creamy texture of yogurt, and the flavor is great. There's a full serving of fruit in each cup, as well as probiotic-rich crunchy granola toppings that are a hit with kids. They come in four flavors: Mango, Strawberry, Blueberry and Pineapple Coconut.
If you need a little crunch but want a healthier option than what you'd normally find on a supermarket shelf, try the new bean chips from Beanfields. Offered in flavors like cheddar sour cream and Himalayan pink salt, they satisfy your savory cravings and also pack in the protein with every bite.
These high-protein snacks are great for after school or before sports. They come in two different combos: Super Cheesy (crispy cheddar cheese and almonds) and Really Ranchy (crispy gouda cheese and pecans). Each pack has 9g of protein (but just 3g of net carbs).
For a snack that tastes like dessert, but is much more healthy than an actual chocolate bar, turn to TRUWOMEN Protein Bars. These delish bars (we tasted them ourselves!) are 100% plant-based and made with all-natural ingredients like almonds, brown rice, cassava flour and cashews. All bars are totally vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO and kosher, with the minimal ingredients listed on the label. Choose from flavors like Daydreaming About Donuts to Saltylicious Almond Love to Oh Oh Cookie Dough.
You've likely already tried a few of the other flavors by Harvest Snaps; these veggie-based snacks are a great crowd pleaser and an excellent alternative to potato chips. The newest flavor, a sweet and smoky, Southern Style BBQ will give you that BBQ chip fix with way less sodium, fat or preservatives.
An after-school snack that is packed with protein but not packed with processed "mysterious" ingredients? Alpha Foods plant-based snacks like these nuggets fooled were happily gobbled up during a playdate with a vegetarian kid and a meat-eater, all without complaint.
Nothing says fall like pumpkin spice and this new bar from Bobo's will hit that PS craving for a snack that is low in fat and sugar. Approved by three finicky third graders, too.
As a parent, at some point you start to think "aren't all fruit bars the same?" We were suffering from fruit-leather overload and tried Pure Organic's Layered Fruit Bar in Pineapple & Passionfruit and realized we'd been doing fruit bars all wrong. These are packed with flavor, all natural, gluten free and low cal. They're absolutely delicious.
These crunchy little snacks come in bar and bite-sized and are the perfect alternative to those mounds of cheese crackers full of ingredients you can't pronounce. Because these babies are very straightforward: they are literally just baked cheese! Super low carb and high protein, all you KETO moms might just be snagging these for yourself.
It has finally happened. Our pickiest snacker devoured a protein bar without being cajoled. PAW Patrol Luckybar Protein Bars have more protein than two eggs. They have low carbs, no fillers, gluten or preservatives. And they taste great! We loved all the flavors, including Crazy Coconut and Chocolate Campfire. This is the jackpot of protein bars! Find them at luckybar.com or your fave grocery store.
bare Baked Crunchy Medleys
bare snacks
You might already be familiar with bare snack foods and their array of baked veggie and fruit snacks. The new kid on the block this school year are the Medleys. We loved the apple strawberry combo. .
A great alternative to a sugary after-school treat, SmartSweets Gummy Bears (and Sour Gummy Bears) are every bit as delicious at their sugar-ladened counterparts. Which means you can still satisfy that craving without blasting them with sugar.
Once Again Amore Organic Hazelnut Spread with Milk Chocolate Squeeze Packs
Looking for an alternative to Nutella or an on-the-go treat that isn't packed with tons of sugar? These little squeeze packs from Once Again (makers of nut butters galore) are so good we actually used them not-overly-sweet icing for sugar cookies.
These little stars are packed with yum power (seriously, we had to hide them from ourselves so the kids could try them) and they're packed with protein, too. Each serving has 6 grams, a lot more than your average snacky cracker, made with non-GMO ingredients, real cheese, and no artificial colors or ingredients. We also liked the Mixed Berry Yogurt crisps.
If you're looking for a snack bar that's filled with good things like peanut butter, dark chocolate, coconut and more, then Kate's Real Food bars are going to check all the boxes on your list. Made with organic non-GMO ingredients as well as all-natural honey, they are not only wholesome but taste great too. The newest flavor is lemon coconut, but there five other combos to pick from as well, including dark chocolate peanut butter and mango coconut.
Swap out those sugary crispy treats for something healthy! Made with farm-fresh blueberries, Smashcrispy Blueberry Crumbles are made in a nut-free facility, are naturally gluten-free and made with non-GMO ingredients. They pack just the right amount of sweetness, without being overly sugary.
You can shop blueberry and all the other flavors at Instacart.com.
Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers
Simple Mills
There are a lot of gluten-free products out there and it's no surprise that some of them just don't hold up. So it's pretty rare to find a snack that is gluten-free that 1) the entire family loves and 2) tastes better than 99% of the other crackers out there, gluten or no gluten. Simple Mills crackers are made with almond flour, sunflower seeds, flaxseed and cassava, which means they actually have three grams of protein per serving. While the crowd favorite was Rosemary & Sea Salt, they have a variety of other flavors including Farmhouse Cheddar and Fine Ground Sea Salt snack packs perfect for fall lunches.
When you think of a coconut-based snack you might not always think of a savory. PRANA's Hula Salt & Pepper coconut chips will change that! For those times when you don't want to dole out the Lays, but something salty and a full of (good) fat is in order, these little snacks are packed with a crisp flavor. Mom approved (and also consumed).
How do you get your kids to eat enough protein but also not wrinkle their noses up? You give them a protein bar that is maple syrup flavored. Not only is this yummy little bar organic it's got eight grams of protein. While we acknowledge some kids don't like nuts and seeds, this little bar just might change their minds. They are also soy and dairy-free and have less than six grams of sugar per serving. For anyone who has ever nearly chipped a tooth on a Kind bar, this bar's for you!
Want your kiddos to eat their veggies but know they need a little motivation? These delicious veggie snack packs from GAEA may be your solution. Choose from carrot, cauliflower or gherkin (or one of their many olive varieties you may already be familiar with). Packs are resealable, nut-free, gluten-free, low-calorie and resealable. The snack packs are shelf-stable, which means they don't require refrigeration before eating and are also free of preservatives.
For busy days and hangry kiddos (we’ve all been there!), Nature’s Bakery has the perfect solution. Their Oatmeal Crumble Bars are packed with 14 grams of whole grains and three grams of fiber, ensuring that your little one will stay full for hours on end. They’re made with an open-top oat bar filled with real fruit jam and topped with a crunchy oat crumble and come in three flavors: strawberry, apple and cherry.
34 Degrees Sweet Crisps in Cinnamon, Lemon, Vanilla or Chocolate
34 Degrees
For a healthier alternative to a cookie or other treat, Sweet Crisp offers a variety of flavors including Cinnamon, Vanilla, Chocolate and Lemon. These wafer-thin treats are like round little discs of something between an ice cream cone consistency and a cookie. They're lower in sugar than most kids treats and make an excellent little snack to get your fix. Crowd favorite around here were the cinnamon, but it was a hot debate.
Sometimes you just need a little boost of protein—and honestly, those chalky protein powders and drinks are just not appealing, especially for kids. That’s why we love these tasty Chicken Snack Sticks from Mighty Spark. They’re made with chicken free from MSG, antibiotics and hormones and have up to 6 grams of protein in each serving. Check out their unique flavors: black bean & chipotle, BBQ seasoned sweet potato, sea salt & pepper, honey & jalapeno and cranberry & ginger.
Bobo's There With Care Limited Edition Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bar
Bobo's
Bobo's has teamed up with There With Care to donate $5 from every box sold of these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oat Bars. There With Care provides support to families facing critical illness, helping to provide fundamental services necessary to keep a family together during a medical crisis. Not to mention, these delicious, soft snack bars make the perfect after-school, on-the-go boost your kids will love. They were even approved by a finicky eight-year-old.
You’re probably familiar with Justin’s line of nut butters and snacks (those peanut butter cups are to die for!). This summer, they’ve upped the ante with their newest product, Almond Butter Covered Almonds. They’ve got 3 grams of plant-based protein per serving, making them a perfect after-school snack.
Fueling up on the go is easier than ever thanks to Rowdy Prebiotic Foods. Their new Blueberry Almond Tart Bar is the perfect quick snack, made with antioxidant-rich blueberries, creamy almond butter, and their signature natural sweetener, yacon root. All of their bars are free of dairy, soy and gluten, are low-glycemic, paleo-friendly and 95% organic.
Learn more (and check out the other flavors) at rowdybars.com.
Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Kids
Nutri-Grain
If you’ve got a picky eater on your hands, then these new, bite-sized Nutri-Grain Kids are an essential item to keep in your pantry. They’re available in three kid-pleasing flavors (apple, strawberry and grape) and the ingredients are parent-approved too. The filling is made with real fruit, and there’s no high-fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors. They’re also a good source of whole grain and pack in plenty of vitamins and minerals.
It’ll be love at first taste with Nature Nate’s honey. Their raw and unfiltered honey is made by North American bees, and now it’s available in convenient packets that are perfect for slipping into lunchboxes or enjoying as an after-school snack. Drizzle some onto a nut butter sandwich, add it to ants on a log or blend it into a smoothie—the sky’s the limit with this awesome alternative to processed sugar.
Siggi’s Icelandic skyr is already super delicious, but they’ve taken it to the next level with their newest release, Simple Sides. It has their signature 2% skyr (if you haven’t had it before, it’s similar to Greek yogurt and also packs in a ton of protein) on one side, and the other side has a complementary topping. Vanilla yogurt is paired with almonds and dried cherries, honey yogurt goes with dried figs and walnuts, and apples, almonds and oats get sprinkled on vanilla and cinnamon yogurt.
Spice up snack time with these tasty new crackers from Back to Nature. Their Cracked Black Pepper Harvest Whole Wheat Crackers are free from hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup and artificial preservatives—and they taste great too. Stack ‘em up with cheese or nosh on them all by themselves. Plus, check out their wild Kale & Sea Salt Crackers, which are just as green as you’d imagine, with pieces of real kale inside. We’ll take anything to get more veggies on our plates!
Happy Tot Organics Superfood Bars are nutrient-dense fruit and oat bars that are made for busy toddlers and families. Containing 350 milligrams of omega-3s (ALA) from flaxseed and three grams of fiber, these bars boast zero grams of added sugar and are naturally sweetened with real organic fruits! You can find from plenty of major retailers nationwide and choose between two flavors: blueberry and oatmeal or strawberry, sunflower butter and banana.
If your kids dig Fritos, but you want something a tad bit healthier, turn to RW Garcia's new Organic Yellow Corn Chips. They're the first snack company ever to receive Non-GMO Project Verification, which is basically the gold standard for affirming that a product contains no GMOs. Besides being tasty, the chips are made in a facility that is totally peanut- and tree nut-free, which is awesome news for any families dealing with those allergens.
When is a raisin not a raisin? When it's a vine-dried grape, aka a revamped raisin from Life's Grape. It might not sound like that big of a deal but for anyone whose ever tried to pry that last chunk of hard, dry raisins from a box, hear this: these are superior raisins!!! Every one is plump and sweet and our editor's finicky eight-year-old gobbled them up a lunch-sized packet and asked for more. We can't wait to use them in baking, too!
Square Organics latest snack packs a serious protein punch: both the Peanut Butter Protein Crispy Bar (with flavors like Vanilla Crunch, Toasted Coconut & Dark Chocolate Chip) and chocolate-coated Organic Protein Bar (Cookie Dough, Nuts & Sea Salt and Peanut Butter) have a whopping 10 grams of protein in that yummy little square. They literally last for hours and make that perfect after-school-before-practice-snack.
Enjoy your Honeycrisp year-round thanks to Tree Top's new organic Honeycrisp dried apple slices. You'll love that there is only one ingredient in this flavorful snack: Honeycrisp apples. Tree Top sources their apples from Pacific Northwest orchards and its new product comes in a convenient 20 oz. resealable pouch. Available now at Costco (check your local Costco for details with prices varying by location).
Whether your kiddos are anti-crust or you're just trying to give them extra healthy ingredients, Ozery Bakery's Morning Rounds will be a hit. They are made with real fruit and grains that contain 5 grams of real fruit, 7 grams of whole grain and 2 grams of fiber. Toss in lunches or toast up for breakfast, these tasty snacks are so good your littles won't even realize they're healthy!
Chocolate as a snack, you say? This isn't your ordinary candy bar. PRANA offers up "superbarks" made from fair trade chocolate and key ingredients. The PRANA Chia Balance—dark chocolate bark with caramelized coconut & probiotic chia—is not only incredibly delish, but it is also nutrient-dense with pumpkin and sunflower seeds, probiotic chia seeds and is even a great source of fiber. There's even 4g of protein in a serving. The Maca Power version—dark chocolate bark with corn flakes, almonds and maca—provides sustained energy with 4 g of protein, ancient grains and maca, which has a positive effect on memory, energy and mood. There are seven barks to choose from.
Looking for a healthier lunchbox treat that is actually more delicious than a traditional, sugar-packed cereal treat bar? Made Good's Caramel Crispy Squares and Strawberry Crispy Squares are divine. They are free from nuts and other common allergens, including peanut, dairy, egg and soy, so they are totally safe for school lunches. Sweetened with cane syrup and made with brown rice crisps, these delicious snack bars might make their way into mom or dad's own lunchbox, too. They also come in Vanilla and Chocolate Chip.
Next time that dessert craving hits (for you or them) reach for a Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt Snack Buddies Bar, a new line of kid-sized Greek yogurt bars that debuted March 2019. Dairy-based, Yasso's Snack Buddies offer 25% less sugar than the leading novelty and 10% more protein. It's packed with live and active cultures, and no high fructose corn syrup or high-intensity sweeteners. Eight perfectly kid-sized bars come in each box with new flavors: Mint Cookie Chums, Strawbuddy Lemonade, Fudge Space Chip and Party Animal.
Shop here or get yours at retailers like Target, Publix, and more.
Kids know best when it comes to what tastes good so it's pretty awesome that Kashi's newest snack, Organic Super Food Bites, was dreamed up by a team of kids. They're not only tasty but good for you, too. They're packed with superfood ingredients like coconut flour, chickpeas, açai and sweet potato, and include 10g of whole grains and three grams of fiber. Choose from two flavors: Mixed Berry and Chocolate. These peanut-free snacks come in handy pouches, which make dishing them out on-the-go easy peasy.
Sans artificial ingredients or fillers, Truth Bars will give your kiddos their daily dose of prebiotics and probiotics. Choose from five flavors: Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch, Mint Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Almond Crunch, Chocolate Raspberry Coconut and Dark Chocolate Coconut. Gluten free, non-GMO, kosher and a max of five grams of sugar per bar, this is one snack you and the kids can feel good about.
For kids with allergies, finding a bar that actually tastes good and is safe can be a challenge. These delicious new breakfast bars from one of the most trusted allergy-friendly food companies are sure to be a win. Free of gluten, wheat, dairy, soy, sulfites, lupin, fish, crustaceans, tree nuts, peanuts, casein, egg, shellfish, sesame and mustard (phew!) you might wonder what actually in these bars. With four types of "purity protocol gluten-free oats" and lots of whole grains, they come in a variety of yummy flavors including Apple Cinnamon, Berry Medley, Chocolate Chip Banana and Maple Fig.
One word to the wise: they are more crumbly than other breakfast bars we've tried, so be prepared if you plan to eat on the go!
New to January 2019 is Stonyfield Organic YoBaby Veggie Yogurt cups in purple carrot and sweet potato flavors, as well as Kids Whole Milk pouches in new flavors apple cinnamon sweet potato and blueberry apple carrot. The baby yogurt cups include no added sweeteners and, like all of their products, are certified organic, free from artificial hormones, toxic pesticides and GMOs.
The snack bar company co-founded by actors Kristen Bell, Ryan Devlin, Todd Grinnell and Ravi Patel has just launched a new kids’ bar, and they’re delicious. Made totally school safe (no nuts, dairy, soy or gluten), the new flavors include Chocolate Chip “Dino”-Mite, Rockin’ Straw-beary and S’more Blast, and each bar is Non-GMO Project Certified, Gluten Free, and Kosher, plus they’re made with clean ingredients and only have 5g of sugar per serving. And, that whole life-saving thing? With every box purchased, a child in need will receive a meal.
We’ve always loved the quality of cereals and baking goods from Bob’s Red Mill, so we were thrilled to hear the employee-owned company was debuting a line of kid-friendly snack bars in five different flavors. Inspired by some of your favorite childhood snacks, these bars are filled with wholesome ingredients like organic honey and peanut butter, plus they’re filled with fiber and protein to keep little bellies full longer. New flavors include Peanut Butter Jelly & Oats, Peanut Butter Chocolate & Oats, Peanut Butter Coconut & Oats, Peanut Butter Apple Spice & Oats and Peanut Butter Banana & Oats.
This new company makes products free of the top eight allergens, so you’ll be able to toss one of their new snack bars into your kid’s lunch box or share with friends with no worries. We especially love that each bar is filled with pumpkin and sunflower seeds, which means each bite is packed with extra nutrients and antioxidants. Choose between pineapple and raspberry.
Ready for the cleanest, tastiest, most nutritious on-the-go snacks? Perfect Kids offers trusted, quality ingredients with a cookie-dough-like texture and taste. Each bar also delivers seven grams of whole food protein and eight Superfood veggies.
What’s better than instant oatmeal? How about warm and ready in minutes spoonable muffin! These plant-based muffins are loaded with Superfoods and protein. They’re available in Banana Nut, Blueberry, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip.
Your kids’ favorite lunch is now an on-the-go snack. These peanut butter and jelly single-serve snack packs come in four different flavors including Almond Butter and Raspberry.
Introducing Pop Chips that are convenient, delicious, and guilt-free made from chickpeas and rice that are the perfect addition to any meal or snack. Each box comes with 4 bags of Cheddar, 4 bags of White Cheddar, and 4 bags of Apple Cinnamon Squeaky Pops.
The Complete Crunchy Cookies are bite-sized, plant-protein packed, contagiously crunchy cookies available in classic flavors such as Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate, and Cinnamon Sugar. Each 1.25oz pouch is packed with 6 grams of plant-based protein and four grams of fiber, while the 4.25oz resealable bag that delivers 20 grams of protein and 14 grams of fiber.
Available at Lenny & Larry, $20.20 for 1.25oz, 12 pack
Quinn Pretzels
These pretzels are whole grain, gluten free, non-GMO and yummy! They come in Classic Sea Salt Pretzel Sticks and Twists along with Touch of Honey Pretzel Sticks, and the newest flavor—Deli Rye Style Rods.
Keep them going strong with a snack that packs a nutritious punch! We love Jif Power Ups Chewy Granola Bars because they are super-yum and have 5 grams of protein in each bar. They come in a variety of flavors including Chocolate with Peanut Butter and Peanut Butter Banana and are a kid-approved by our own editor's son who gave them "two dancing thumbs up." Check out also the Jif Power Ups Creamy Clusters, too, for a super easy on-the-go snack with staying power. Even Neil Patrick Harris agrees.
The bars are $5.99 for 5 and the clusters just $2.99 a bag. Shop them at Jif.com
Keep your kids fueled up for recess with thinkKIDS's new protein-packed bars. These bars have a whopping 45% less sugar than most granola bars out there—just 4 grams of sugar per serving, plus 7 grams of protein, plus they're made without icky stuff like high-fructose corn syrup and artificial colors. The kid-friendly flavors include Vanilla Cupcake, Cinnamon Sugar Cookie, Cookies 'n' Cream and Chocolate Chip.
Not down with dairy? Check out Kite Hill's dairy-free yogurt tubes. These vegan snacks are made with almond milk, fruit and live active cultures. Choose between two yummy options: sweet Wild Berry or Strawberry Banana. Pop them in the fridge or freezer for a smooth, creamy treat.
GoMacro's protein bars are packed full of good organic stuff. Three new flavors of the vegan bars, each with 10 grams of plant-based protein, are ready to feed hungry hordes. Blueberry and Cashew Butter will please the fruit lovers out there and Dark Chocolate + Almonds offers a cocoa fix. Parents will want to keep the Mocha Chocolate Chip ones all to themselves—the bar gives a caffeine boost equal to half a cup of coffee.
If visions of soggy cheese pizza dance through your head when you hear the phrase “meal-from-a-box,” you’re in for a satisfying surprise with Sun Basket. The good-for-you meal kit service delivers (in a box) sustainably-sourced, organic ingredients and delicious, easy recipes. Read on to find out how Sun Basket is giving fast food a brand new image while helping to make you a whole lot healthier.
1. Healthy Menus for Picky Palates Whether you’re following a Paleo diet, your mini is gluten-free, or your family is exploring vegetarianism, there’s a recipe for you. How it works: Choose 2 or 4 recipes from their Family Menu, designed to feed four people ($9.99/serving). Best part? You can mix and match recipes to suit your family’s needs.
2. Undercover Veggies Each kit includes one recipe per week created by Chef Tyler Florence of the Food Network, who is known for sneakily hiding veggies in kid-appealing dishes. Think: summer squash and black bean tacos with cabbage slaw and turkey and spinach meatballs with corkscrew pasta and marinara.
3. Pure Produce, No Fillers Sun Basket, which currently ships to most zip codes in the United States, minus AK, HI, MT, and parts of NM, fills each kit with certified USDA organic ingredients, free from hormones, toxic fertilizers, pesticides and genetic engineering. The result is a completely natural product that you’ll leap to share with the littles.
4. Less Cook Time, More Decompress Time Since each Sun Basket meal can be whipped up in under 30 minutes, you have more time to squeeze in a heart-saving workout or soul-saving hugs from your kids. Or, you can take a nap…that’s good for your health, too!
5. Nutritionist-Approved In addition to being designed by award-winning Chef Justine Kelly, all recipes are vetted by an in-house nutritionist. All meals are between 500–800 calories, and balanced with nutrient–dense produce, whole grains, protein and good fats.
6. Teeny Carbon Footprint It’s no secret that by saving Mama Earth we’re saving ourselves. Sun Basket agrees, which is why their packaging is 100 percent recyclable and compostable. For example, the insulation is made from recycled water bottles and the ice packs are made from a gel that’s 98 percent water and 2 percent organic cotton!!
Have you tried Sun Basket? Tell us about your experience below!
Introducing your little one to their first foods can be an exciting, yet nerve-racking adventure. How do I start? What do I feed my baby? Which first foods are best? Do I still breastfeed her? How often? How thick or thin does the food need to be? What nutrients does she need? What if she has an allergic reaction? A million and one questions about starting solids are probably buzzing through your brain right now. I get it.
As a first-time mom, these same questions kept me up at night. Amid all the uncertainty circling through my head, however, I knew 2 things for sure: 1) I wanted to feed my baby the best food out there in order to give her the best start in life and 2) I didn’t want to make it myself (hence the reason we have Once Upon a Farm today, but that’s a story for another day)!
With lots of trial and error…LOTS, we figured it out and I was able to set my little one up for a lifetime of healthy eating from the very first bite. For you moms and dads in this tricky territory for the first time, here’s what I’ve learned throughout my journey of motherhood, including my top 5 tips for starting solids!
Variety is Key When Starting Solids
The collective conversation around starting solids used to be that you need to start your baby off with one food at a time, preferably veggies, moving later to fruits. While the importance of feeding babies a variety of fresh foods holds true today, starting them on one food at a time and waiting a few days before introducing another, however, does not. You can feed them carrots on day one and mango on day two if you want!
The key to having a lover of fruits and veggies is to give your babe a variety of options including all types of fruits and veggies with lots of different flavors and textures early on. Although people may tell you that you must start with veggies, starting your baby on fruit does not mean they’re going to be adverse or despise veggies later on. Variety is key, so feel free to give them fruits and veggies either together or separately. There is room to play. In fact, research has shown vegetable acceptance to be improved when paired with fruits! (1) And don’t give up if you get a “NO WAY, closed mouth, I’m not eating that” reaction. It can take up to 10-15 times for a baby to become accustomed to eating a certain food, so keep on truckin’! (2)
The most important thing to remember when starting solids is VARIETY. Expose your little loves to lots of different foods and flavors to expand their palates and start a love of food early on.
Don’t Give Up
Lots of parents will give up after a few tries when starting solids and conclude that “my baby doesn’t like that” if their baby refuses to eat something. Remember, that’s not necessarily the case. It can take multiple attempts at feeding a new food (and trying at different times of the day) before your baby will like it. Keep trying and don’t give up! Just because they make a “sour” face doesn’t mean they don’t like the food. It’s new and something they’re getting used to, so keep introducing it. If after 10-15 times they still say no, you can probably confidently conclude they don’t like it… for now.
If they seem to scrunch their nose and close their mouth in response to that yummy green veggie you present to them, remember to make feeding fun. My littles always love when food becomes an airplane flying to come in for a landing or when they themselves become a “shark” who has to eat all the little fishies on their plate. The possibilities are endless if you let your imagination soar a bit.
Develop a Routine
Have a routine around eating and START EARLY. Habits are easier to form early on so if you want your kids to love sitting down at the dinner table when they’re older, start now! Pull that highchair right up to the table, sit down with them and feed from a spoon. When they’re ready to feed themselves, the pouch is the perfect way to let them experiment with and learn how to do that.
Bring on the Nut Butters!
Peanut butter at 5 months!? Yep! Long gone are the days of avoidance when starting solids.
The AAP recommends that infants as young as 4 months of age get exposed to allergens early on to prevent allergies later in life. The statistics are astonishing. In the Learning Early About Peanut (LEAP) study, infants who showed only a mild allergy and infants that had an absence of an allergy were exposed to peanuts between 4-6 months of age and both groups showed a decreased presence of allergies at 5 years old. (3)
For the study, there were two groups of babies and each group was split into two. Group 1 babies showed no indication of allergies using a skin test. Group 2 babies did show a mild indication of allergies according to the skin test (babies with severe allergies were excluded from the study). At 4-6 months of age, both groups were randomly split in half. Half of each group was exposed to peanut butter and half of each group had no exposure to peanuts.
In the group that showed an absence of allergies at 4-6 months and was EXPOSED to peanut butter, only 1.9% tested positive for allergies at age 5. The other half of this “no allergy” group that AVOIDED peanut butter showed a 13.7% prevalence of allergies at age 5. In the group that originally showed mild signs of allergies at 4-6 months and was EXPOSED to peanut butter, only 10.6% still had allergies at 5 years old. The half of this “positive allergy” group that AVOIDED peanuts showed a 35.3% prevalence at age 5. A huge difference! (4)
So, not only are you setting up your little one for a lifetime of healthy eating by giving them nut butters, you are also giving them excellent nutrition and helping them feel satisfied for longer (nut butters are a good source of protein and good fats) while helping to fend of nut allergies. (5)
Incorporate Different Textures
We’ve covered how important different flavors are, but different textures are equally as important when starting solids! (6) What your baby eats now will likely be what they prefer later on, so exposing them to textures (thin, medium, thick, semi-chunky, chunky) is a GOOD thing. Baby food should not be all the same. Save the bigger chunks, and more textured or chewy foods for when they are around 9+ months (stage 3) to 12+ months (stage 4) and always make sure to talk to your pediatrician to ensure they’re ready for more textures. Every baby is different.
Lastly, listen to your parent wisdom when feeding. It’s in there, but sometimes it can get lost with all the external information we are bombarded with. I am a firm believer that Mama always knows best, so stick to your gut and have fun!
As a recap, see below for a brief Q&A for starting solids!
How do I start?
When your little one starts showing signs of being ready for solids (typically around 5-6 months), you can start with pureed or mashed fruits and veggies!
What do I feed my baby?
Variety is key here. Whether you start with fruits or veggies, make sure to mix it up so they become accustomed to a variety of foods.
Which first foods are best?
I started my kiddos with organic avocado, sweet potato and butternut squash as they’re nutrient dense, easy to mash and yummy, but you can start with any fruit or veggie!
Do I still breastfeed? If so, how often?
It’s up to you. I breastfed until my little ones were about 18 months old. They naturally ate more solids as they gold older and I naturally started to breastfeed less.
How thick or thing does food need to be?
Start with thinner purees and gradually work up to more textured or “chunky” blends when ready (we add chewy/textured ingredients to our Stage 3 organic baby food blends to promote oral and motor development).
What nutrients do they need?
Some of the most important nutrients for growing babies are calcium, fat, folate, iron, zinc, b-vitamins, protein and carbohydrates.
What if they have an allergic reaction?
Always check with your pediatrician, but the AAP recommends that infants as young as 4 months of age get exposed to allergens early on now to prevent allergies later in life. I know that can be a scary introduction, so if you’re worried about it, you can bring nut butters to your next pediatrician appointment and introduce them there. If your little one has an allergic reaction to any of the foods you introduce, call your pediatrician right away.
*** The advice provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Always consult a pediatrician to understand the individual needs of your child.
Sources:
Havermans RC and Jansen A. 2007. Increasing children’s liking of vegetables through flavour-flavour learning. Appetite. 48(2):259-62.
Mennella JA, Nicklaus S, Jagolino AL, and Yourshaw LM. 2008. Variety is the spice of life: strategies for promoting fruit and vegetable acceptance during infancy. Physiol Behav. 94(1):29-38.
“Randomized Trial of Peanut Consumption in Infants at Risk for Peanut Allergy | NEJM.” New England Journal of Medicine, Oxford University Press, nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1414850.
As a mother of three and Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Once Upon A Farm, I’m helping change the landscape of childhood nutrition by creating high quality, farm-fresh recipes for kids of all ages. Our organic, cold-pressed baby food, applesauce and smoothies are as fresh as it gets without parents making it themselves.
Starting the New Year off on a health kick? We’ve got your back with our list of the city’s best juice bars. The totally slurp-worthy selections at these local juice shops masterfully blend fruits and veggies into creative concoctions that will delight even the most discerning taste-buds. Scroll on to find a friendly neighborhood juice bar near you to order up nutrient-dense, sippable fixes your whole family will love.
Whether you choose to belly up to the bar at the newish Oh! Juice Cafe' in Encinitas for a juice tasting or get your order delivered to your home (think: modern milk-man) Oh! Juice makes it uber-easy for you and yours to get your daily dose of organic, locally sourced, cold-pressed juice. The lush juice flavors rotate seasonally. Currently in the rotation are tasty, healthy elixirs including Cookies 'N Protein and Berry Exotic.
90 N Coast Hwy. 101, Ste. 212 Encinitas, CA 92024 760-487-1896 Online: ohjuicecleanse.com
Beaming Cafe's flagship location in Del Mar opened its doors in 2012. The long line of customers waiting to get inside was a surefire sign of things to come. The popular local hot-spot now has 8 locations throughout San Diego and Los Angeles. The self proclaimed “Organic Superfood Cafe” is raising the bar on the traditional juice cafe experience. In addition to their robust menu of healthy entrees, tasty salads and gluten and dairy free baked goods, they offer potent juices the likes of 'Get Preggy' and 'Knocked Up' geared specifically for expectant moms and women trying to conceive. All of this and they cater to the younger set with kid-friendly smoothie flavors including Berry Delish and Mint Chip. And before you leave, don't forget to try the Banana Chocolate Chip bread — the ultimate "healthy" treat.
Aren't we always telling our kids to make smart choices? Well, choosing Choice Juicery is leading by example! The menu is full of organically awesome ingredients that also happen to be gluten-free, dairy free and 100% plant based. All of the smoothies come as a bowl as well, which means they can be topped with granola, fresh fruit or any number of "superfoods" like chia seeds, goji berries or coconut flakes. With flavors like Orange Dreamsicle, Superhero and PB&J your little health nut will soon be choosing smoothies over ice cream any day.
The name says it all! Greens Please in Poway is all about the good stuff... or is it the stuff that's good for you? Either way, all of their blends include 6 types of powerfully healing, dark, leafy greens, chia seed, flax seed, kelp and alkalized water. We swear our immune system is getting stronger with each and every sip. The abundance of antioxidants and nutrients are transfixed into a delightfully yummy drink like the Green-Ya-Colada. We're not exactly sure how they do it - but we're so happy they do!
12202 Poway Rd. #100 (Corner of Oak Knoll Rd.) Poway, CA 92064 858-842-1001 Online: greensplease.com
This fun-loving company started by Arleigh Rose is a local treasure. Their mission is to "refresh and nourish the soul by using the best quality ingredients fresh from local farms." Visit Juice Wave in Mission Beach for the bohemian vibe and to give your taste buds a real treat. Kids go crazy for the 'Strawberry Fields Forever' blend and you'll love the bursting with veggies 'Dirt Rich' concoction. If you need an extra jolt of caffeine with your fix, the Bump and Grind is for you! There's something for everyone at The Juice Wave.
3733 Mission Blvd. San Diego, CA 92109 858-488-0800 Online: juicewavesd.com
Juice Alchemy caters to both your desire to cleanse and your urge to satiate your sweet tooth. Run by San Diego natives who support local farmers and the community, you'll find a stellar collection of juices formulated to make you thrive on the menu from 'Sunshine' and 'Super Juice' to 'Hangover' and 'The Detox.' They'll even whip up a customized juice or smoothie for you if you have an idea of what you'd like. Additionally, they offer, "if you are feeling down or under the weather let us know because we have a juice for that!"
We love that the woman behind Northside Shack is a mom of three who followed her passion for food to open this quaint and welcoming cafe where kids and families can also get a healthy meal. In addition to serving up a vibrant seasonal menu of juices like 'Cactus' which includes cactus, organic aloe vera juice and mint in its ingredients, 'Green Candy' which combines organic apple juice with a host of healthy additions like parsley and turmeric and 'Cold/Flu Buster' with an impressive list of hydrating and immune boosting properties like ginger and coconut water, Northside Shack has also been proclaimed "home of the world's best acai bowls." Turn your juice bar outing into a meal by pairing your beverage with an antioxidant rich organic acai bowl. Be sure to order your little sidekick the 'Grom Blend' which boasts blueberries, grapes, kale, banana, almond milk and agave.
This Mother’s Day we’re celebrating some local mamas around the Bay who are offering up inspiring insights into the delicate balance of work/family life and sharing with us what it takes to run a business (on top of it all). It’s important to note, these companies were launched with the help of little muses—nothing like a child to bring out one’s entrepreneurial side. From seasoned to soon-to-launch, read on for some sweet success stories on businesses you’ll want to bookmark for future visits.
Better Baby Grub: Flourish Foods
Kim Burns found herself in a familiar scenario. She was busy with work, the fridge was empty, and she was constantly relying on pouches and jarred baby food to feed her 6-month-old. It was at that point she noticed a gap in the market—there were no services for fresh and locally prepared baby foods in San Francisco. From this lack of options, Flourish Foods was born and has been serving up simple and spiced-up purees to snacks and meals for the whole family since 2010. Bonus, they also offer up nutrient dense stews for pregnant women and postpartum mothers.
What's the biggest challenge of starting your own business with a young family? Running a business always takes more of your time than you think it will! But the beauty of modern technology means I can be more places and still get some work done. So yes, I may be sending an email at the playground—I am that mom—but at least I can be at the playground with my kids.
How about the biggest reward? Being able to offer a flexible workplace for other moms and women! I love that I am able to support women not only with our products but in the workplace as well!
Know a local company inspired after the birth of a child? Tell us in the comments below!
—Sommer Naffz
All images courtesy of the companies unless noted.
Averaging six small meals a day, it might seem like a day with your baby or toddler is just passing time between meals. To satiate their growing bellies, it’s important to make every bite count. If you’ve found yourself in a snack time slump, or feel like your only on the go options are packed with unhealthy preservatives, then check out the ideas below. With both prepackaged and homemade goodies to choose from, these healthy treats are both kid- and mom-approved.
photo: BabyFoodE
Crackers: You can always opt for a pre-made option like Annie’s Organic Crackers, but if you are looking to cut back on ingredients try making your own. This delicious Animal Cracker recipe from BabyFoodE features three different flavor options, including dark chocolate for mommy, so be sure to try them all.
Hummus: Create a dipping game, diving your toddler’s favorite whole grain bread or cut-up veggies (for older toddlers) into a bowl of hummus. Made from chickpeas and heart-healthy olive oil, this protein and fiber packed dip is a filling snack.
Applesauce: Inexpensive, healthy and sweet, applesauce is a classic go-to snack that most toddlers love. You’ll find all-natural, unsweetened options in pre-packaged cups or pouches like these from GoGo SqueeZ or try this easy recipe from Smitten Kitchen.
Cottage Cheese: Considered a complete protein, when paired with fresh fruit like peaches or pineapple cottage cheese makes a wholesome snack. Try these cottage cheese pancakes from Weelicious for a delicious breakfast-style snack anytime of day.
photo: Yummy Toddler Food
Yogurt Gummies: This hybrid yogurt and gummy snack from Yummy Toddler Food is packed with fresh fruit and full of flavor. Easy to make, use silicone molds to create fun shapes.
Cheese Stick: Broken up into small bites or pulled into fun strings once your toddler is able to chew, string cheese is the perfect calcium-filled snack.
Banana with Peanut-, Almond-, Cashew- or Sun-Butter: Bananas are loaded with potassium and when paired with your child’s favorite butter it becomes a protein-packed snack you can feel good about serving. Be sure to look for an all-natural spread that includes just nuts and salt.
Smoothies: Ideal for when you’re on the go, make your child’s favorite blends at home and transport in an easy-to-clean container like the Squeasy Snacker Silicone Reusable Food Pouch.
photo: Little Duck Organics
Freeze-dried Fruits and Vegetables: Look for fruits and veggies freeze-dried with no added sugar, like these packaged treats from Little Duck Organics, Just Tomatoes, Etc!, or the Happy Family Brand. For older toddlers, the larger freeze-dried mango and banana from Trader Joe’s are another great option.
Avocado: Full of healthy fat, Vitamin E, fiber, iron, and potassium (just to name a few benefits), this nutrient dense fruit is delicious cut into cubes, pureed into a smoothie, or mashed on top of toast and served with a side of berries.
Popsicles: The perfect snack for teething toddlers, it’s easy to turn leftover smoothies into refreshing pops. You can even get the kids in on the fun mixing ingredients. Mama Papa Bubba features some yummy flavor combinations.
Pudding: Surprisingly easy to make, forgo to the store bought mix and opt for making your own pudding flavors. BabyFoodE gave this basic snack a healthy makeover by adding a little peanut butter, chia seeds and a few other surprising ingredients. Find the recipe here.
photo: Land of Nod
Muffins: Muffins are an easy solution to getting your picky toddler to eat their necessary vegetables. From sweet potato to spinach, the possibilities are endless. Try whipping up a batch of these Carrot and Zucchini Muffins from Cupcakes and Kale Chips.
Yogurt Bites: Yogurt dots are a great source of calcium, good fats and probiotics. These colorful, all-natural Frozen Yogurt Dots from Small Fry are fun to make and even more fun to eat. But if you’re short on time, the Organic Greek Yogis from Happy Family will also do the trick.
Fruit Snacks: Sweetened with honey and made with 100% fruit juice, DIY fruit snacks are a healthier alternative to the classic store bought treat. Try this easy recipe from Kelsey Nixon and Land of Nod.
Fruit Bars: That’s It and Trader Joe’s all-natural fruit bars offer full servings of fruit, and are soft enough for toddlers to chew. We suggest stashing a few in your diaper bag for emergencies.
What do you feed your toddler at snack time? Share with us in the comments below.
In a city that’s inspired the likes of tech powerhouses like Amazon and Microsoft, it’s no wonder that so many creative and innovate mom-run businesses call Seattle home too. From indie record producers to soft drink revolutionaries, we’ve got the deets on all things cool from some of Seattle’s most amazing mompreneurs. Click through the gallery to meet these mamas and find out their mommy-knows-best secrets to parenting success.
Ami Karnosh
Yummy Mummy Cookie owner, Ami Karnosh loves making delish, nutrient-dense cookies that derive minerals and vitamins from nettles, chia seeds and even kelp, for moms and their families. And when she’s not busy baking, she’s hanging with her daughter, Sophia.
Where she’ll be on a sunny day: Karnosh and her family can be found cruising around the neighborhood or the Burke Gilman Trail on their bikes, or picnicking alongside the animals at the zoo, when the sun is shining. Recently though they’ve taken to climbing the outdoor wall at the Northshore YMCA. Super fun!
Her must-have mom product: Running a close second to her own Yummy Mummy Cookies, is the Hyland’s Kids’ Kit, a homeopathic kit that’s perfect for everything from little bumps to fevers. She loves giving both as gifts to new moms!
The best thing about being a Seattle mom: With so many things to do both indoors and out, adventures are all around. Karnosh also loves the many support groups and meet-up groups around the city, and takes full advantage of the many family-friendly restaurants and businesses where she can get through the daily checklist while the kids play.
photo: Kristen Bontadell
Do you know a Seattle mompreneur we should meet? Tell us about her in a comment below.
