redeeming the time

Since I now have more time, I wonder, isn't their something more important I should be doing than thinking about what nut free snacks to send to school with my kids?  Yes, thanks to my amazing friend Anna Goodworth, who wrote the book LESS.  I can't stop thinking about the kids who have nothing to eat when mine complain about the nutritious meals prepared with love by their parents.  If your sharing my frustrations I encourage you to check out the dirt cookies Haitians are eating.  My kids have seen this video.  The book LESS also discusses exposing and educating our children about world hunger and gives tangible acts to respond to what you read with your kids.

I  do think about feeding my kids healthy nut free snacks too, because I want to raise children with good eating habits.  I am thankful daily that we can purchase healthy ingredients.  This is the best recipe that I have made for kid snacks, why?  It tastes awesome, I like to eat these for a snack too,  it is super healthy, and it doesn't have nuts!

Pumpkin Butterscotch Oat Bars 
2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup oat flour (grind up oats in blender or food processor, make sure to measure AFTER grinding)
1/4 cup flax seeds (optional)
1/8 cup chia seeds (optional)
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
15 ounce can pumpkin
1 tablespoon 1 + 1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons honey
1 cup unsweetened almond milk or any milk
2 cups butterscotch chips or chocolate chips (you can also sub craisins, raisins, diced apples,
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F

• Place all dry ingredients in a bowl stir with a whisk
• Add wet ingredients stir well with a spoon
• Spray a 12x9 pan with cooking spray
• Press it evenly in pan
• Bake 20-25 minutes
• Let cool completely
• Cut into 24 squares

These freeze well :)

I also make the following muffins in small muffins tins and freeze them for school snacks.  I hope you and the littles enjoy!
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins
Gingerbread Muffins
Apple Banana Carrot Muffins
Banana Crunch Muffins

I also make a ton of trail mixes myself.  I make a big batch one day and then portion it out for the week.   I try to put something neutral (a grain of some sort), something sweet, and something salty.  And yes that is ridiculous I used culinary training to come up with that :)

Here are some of my combos
mini pretzels, popcorn corn, candy corn

cheerios, craisens, chocoate chips

rice chex, raisens,  pretzels, m&m's

pumpkin seeds, popcorn, chocolate chips

dried fruit, rice chex, popcorn

A few other suggestions
Brown rice crispy treats, I add and subtract what I like don't like
chips & salsa
carrots & hummus
cut veggies
applesauce
mandarin oranges from a can
whole fruit, oranges, grapes, apples, bananas travel well
cinnamon sugar apples (add lemon juice if sending to school)