Fruit Dip Options for Your Autumn Healthy Snacks

 Aside from a homely true salad for a healthy autumn delight is a bowl of finger foods and a fruity-tasting dip.


 Basic Cream Fruit Dip

1 8-ounce package cream cheese,softened
3 tablespoons sugar
1 cup sour cream or Mascarpone
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients and beat until smooth and creamy. Whatever option (below) you choose, chill and serve with assorted fruit dippers such as bananas, grapes, kiwi, apple, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, and papaya, cut into bite-size pieces, if necessary. Bagel bites are good, too. Makes 2 to 3 cups.

Serve your fruit dips in a "fruit bowl". Cut an orange or grapefruit in half crosswise. Using a very sharp knife, cut a thin slice off the bottom of each half so it sits flat. Carefully slice around the edge of the fruit; remove the fruit and the membrane. Spoon the dip into the shells and serve. Or, serve one and refrigerate the other one for later. 

 Options:

Almond Fruit Dip

 Add 3 tablespoons finely chopped almonds and 1 1/2 teaspoons almond liqueur to the basic recipe. Garnish with 1 tablespoon finely chopped almonds, if desired.


Lemon Fruit Dip



Add zest of 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 extra tablespoon sugar to the basic cream cheese fruit dip recipe.

Raspberry Fruit Dip

Puree 1 cup sweetened raspberries (aprox. 1 10-ounce package). Spoon half the basic recipe into a serving dish and smooth. Top with half the raspberry puree and smooth. Repeat.

Marshmallow Fruit Dip

Add 1/2 cup marshmallow creme to the basic recipe.

Marshmallow Cream Fruit Dip - We loved it!

Healthy and Fresh Mozzarella BLT with Pesto

 I couldn't imagine my delight when I got another mozzarella recipe from Your Smart Kitchen. I feel like getting new ones, new tastes to add in my list regularly and it's a big plus in my menu. The other day, I bought the other necessary ingredients, drove home and went straight to the kitchen and made the new recipe. My husband couldn't have enough of it.

Ingredients

• Mozzarella
• Uncured Bacon
• Romaine Lettuce
• Beefsteak Tomato
• French Bread
• Pesto
• Butter
• Sea Salt
• Pepper

Directions

Cook the bacon in a skillet until it is as crispy as you like. I would recommend a medium-low heat to avoid burning. Take the extra time to make the bacon right and it will be worth it.

 

Set your griddle to about 300 degrees Fahrenheit and get two slices of French bread ready.

Rub a small slice of butter on the griddle surface, melting it. Place your top slice of bread in the butter and grill till golden brown then set aside. Spread the pesto on the bottom slice of bread and layout your thin slices of tomato. Add your bacon and top with mozzarella. Cover the sandwich with the other slice of bread and place on a buttered griddle surface. Grill till the bottom piece is golden brown and enjoy your healthy sandwich!

The Sugar-Free Thing

Recalling the explosive trend of sugar-free "sweets" in 2003, particularly for more adult-orientated sugar-confectionery, did you ever take that action?

Since sugar-free has been already a dynamic and established trend in some foods, technological advancements could spell an end to laxative-effect bulking agents which have so far prevented progress in children's products.

Like sugar-free gums, equally sugar-free chocolate is now indistinguishable from the 'real thing', although major manufacturers are still struggling to develop sugar-free variants which retain the unique taste and texture of their brands. Nonetheless, moving out of pharmacies and health-food stores into more mainstream distribution channels, sugar-free is definitely a trend to watch.

With innovation, Nestlé has been restructuring its approach to confectionery, divesting sugar brands and boosting support for smaller brands such as Smarties, which has seen a host of NPD in recent months. Mars has also been renewing its brand support, building brand equity by increasing the number of confectionery brands extended into other food sectors such as bakery or ice cream.

Why not begin your own sugar-free sweets from your own kitchen?

Why Healthy After School Snacking Is Good

Even if you take time to eat three meals a day, you may still feel hungry at times. I do feel hungry in the middle of the night. What's the answer? Healthy snacks. Snacking on nutritious food can keep your energy level high and your mind alert without taking up a lot of your time.

But it is possible to treat yourself to a healthy snack. In fact, if you have a hectic schedule, it's even more important to eat healthy foods that give you the fuel you need to keep going. One solution to this is to make your own homemade snacks that's hearty and filling enough to make a gratifying treat, especially for kids after school.

 

Depending on your child's age and after-school routine, try to control what he or she eats in the late afternoon so she don't lose appetite for dinner. A child who gets home famished at 3 and eats a large snack probably won't be hungry if dinner is at 5:30. Likewise, it may not reasonable to expect a child whose parents work late to go until 7:30 with nothing to eat since lunch. Think about your kids' schedules and plan accordingly.

Baked potatoes are my favorite to serve, they love it too. Potatoes (not fried) are low in calories and fat snack and high on taste and nutrition. You are sure your kids will enjoy this after school. It's very simple you can just put them in a Dutch oven and follow your baking steps.

 Luckily, there are loads of snacks out there that are not only easy to prepare but also provide health benefits your kids need– all while tasting delicious.

Healthy Snacks for Kids

One of the reasons why we busy ourselves with what to give our kids is the health benefits of the food. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may lower risk of heart disease, blood pressure, cancer, stroke, eye and digestive problems. The following are what I find the best suggestions for a healthy snack.

Fruits and vegetables 

This food group is sure to provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that are essential for good health. Instead of stocking up on expensive pre-packaged snacks (with unsuitable ingredients) that they can quickly grab, this is a good opportunity to teach your kids to prepare quick, healthy foods for themselves. The times your kids are busy is precisely when they need the most nutrients. Dried fruit is high in calories and good for high energy kids and those who need to gain a few pounds. Spread some peanut butter on celery and add a few raisins. Will give you a good boost of energy as peanut butter contains some protein.

 Milk and eggs

Since I was small,  Mom always give me milk anytime of the day (this perhaps is the reason why I am still in love with milk up to now). Milk has excellent source of calcium which is very essential for growth and proper development of strong bone structure. Healthy benefits of milk can be achieved from its products including cheese, yogurt, butter, condensed milk, tofu and paneer. I think milk also is every kid's favorite, especially when chilled, or served with iced-cubes.... or a few drops of Hershey's.

Yogurt

The active cultures in a yogurt provide a for a dose of helpful bacteria along with your yogurt. Avoid yogurts that are high in sugar. A cheaper and healthier alternative to sugar added yogurt is to buy a large container of plain yogurt and then make your own "fruit at bottom" type using jams made with real fruit and no added sugar. Yogurt is also Simple, fast and easy to prepare, if you are preparing them.

Two Healthy Snacks for You and Your Kids

Whether you’re juggling family activities, work requirements or social commitments, keep on hand these quick recipe ideas to help you stay lean and healthy! They are quick and easy to prepare and most of all, budget-friendly.

Navel Oranges


Ingredients


4 navel oranges

• • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Directions

With a sharp knife, remove rind and white pith from oranges. Cut each into 5 or 6 slices and arrange on 4 plates. Whisk together orange juice and lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon. Spoon over the orange slices.

Sesame Carrots

Ingredients

• 2 cups baby carrots
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• Pinch of dried thyme
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 
  

Directions

Toss carrots with sesame seeds, thyme and kosher salt in a small bowl.

Pizza from Cheap Mushrooms

Mushrooms are healthy, don't you know that? So even if you buy them cheap, you get the most health benefits from them. A lot of people use mushrooms as topping to pizza and make a wonderful mushroom snack that kids enjoy.


It's definitely simple, I did it! Cut your mushrooms into bite sizes and saute lightly in butter and your favorite saute ingredients. Strip several branches of thyme leaves and crush them a bit with the back of a knife.
Roll out a thick crust (pizza dough) and brush it with melted butter and vegetable oil, sprinkle it with thyme, then mushrooms then with crumbled cheese. Bake in a 450 degree preheated oven until the crust and cheese are brown. Serve it along with refreshing fruit drink when the kids when kids are watching tv.

If you love pizza with tomatoes, mozzarella and mushrooms, enjoy this recipe from Anna Maria. She'll love it to know you and I are enjoying her wonderful pizza idea.