School lunches can be tough when you are trying get your kids to eat a bit better. Here we have some great alternatives to some of the lunch box regulars!
Rice Krispie Squares with a twist!
Ingredients:
Rice Krispie Cereal (approx. 6 cups)
1 Bag of marshmallows
2 Tbsp. of butter or coconut oil
1/3 cup chia seeds (white or ground ones hide better)
1/3 ground flax seeds
1/3 cup hemp hearts
Splash of vanilla
Handful of mini chocolate chips
Directions:
Melt the marshmallows and butter in a pot, slowly add the rice krispies to mixture. Once incorporated add the chia, flax and hemp seeds. Stir. Grease a 9×13” pan with coconut oil. Sprinkle in a few chocolate chips, give one last stir and place mixture into pan. A greased spatula or your fingers works well to keep the mixture from sticking. Allow to firm up, cut into squares and Enjoy!!
Apple Slices with Cinnamon! All you need to do is cut up an apple to and sprinkle with cinnamon!
Chummus or Chickpea Hummus
Ingredients:
1 can organic chick peas (drained and rinsed)
3 TBSP of unsweetened cocoa
2-3 TBSP of maple syrup or honey (to taste)
¼ tsp. celtic sea salt
½ tsp. of vanilla
¼ cup water or almond milk
Optional: coconut, mint, slivered almonds
Directions:
Place all the ingredients in your food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Add water/milk a small amount at a time until desired consistency is reached.
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies with Chickpeas:
These are a great addition to your children’s lunch, they are quick to make, and are loaded with protein. This is very important for school age children as protein helps, with brain function, growth, energy and muscle
maintenance
Ingredients:
¾ cup of coconut palm sugar
¾ cup of butter
1 egg
2 tsp. of vanilla
1 can of chick peas 15 oz. (drained and rinsed)
2 cups of whole wheat flour or gluten free blend
½ cup oats
1 tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. Himalayan salt
½ – ¾ cup of chocolate chips
How we do it:
Pre-heat oven to 350.
Mix butter and sugar in a bowl, beat in an egg. Add the vanilla.
Drain and rinse one can of chick peas, blend in your food processor until creamy.
Mix into sugar mixture. Add in flour, oats, baking soda and salt. Mix until a creamy batter is obtained.
Sprinkle in your chocolate chips and give one last stir. Place round balls approx. 1” in diameter on cookie sheet, you may have to flatten with a spoon, as they don’t spread very much.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, allow to cool and then Enjoy!!
Watch the segment here:
http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=723628&binId=1.1487308&playlistPageNum=1
