Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Health(ier) Snacks!

I know it has been quite some time since I last posted, but summer has come to our house and schedules are full with exciting new things! Bowling, swimming  lessons, Bible school, and library summer programs are just a few of the things keeping us busy. Also, my mom was recently diagnosed with inoperable, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (your prayers are most definitely welcome,) so we have already traveled to visit grandparents this summer. 

Her diagnosis has turned my focus back to what we eat in this house. If you have never read Don Colbert's Eat This and Live book, it is an eye opener! Our meals have been pretty healthy, primarily fresh meats and vegetables. Fresh fruit is always a great choice, but our boxed snacks needed some improving. So, we are taking baby steps to make better choices. I have found these two recipes and wanted to share.   

Gold Medal's 100% White Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookie
So maybe the butter, sugars, and chocolate chips are not the healthiest ingredients, BUT using whole wheat does make this treat a healthier option for the store bought cookies. Your kids will not notice the difference in flour and will enjoy this fiber filled cookie. As my oldest daughter says, "they are deeelicious!"




Ingredients:
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
2 cups Gold Medal® white whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 package (12 ounces) milk chocolate chips

Directions:
Mix sugars, butter, vanilla and egg in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt (dough will be stiff). Stir in chocolate chips. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.


Cheese Crackers
This is my attempt to replace packaged Goldfish with fewer and fresher ingredients. I started out using a recipe from Smitten Kitchen, but made a mistake and then changed it up slightly. My oldest just asked for the "real" Goldfish that mommy made instead of the boxed Goldfish, so I would say they were a success. As you can see from my picture, I did not attempt a fish shape, but cut them into small squares and rectangles. You can probably use white whole wheat in place of the all-purpose to make these 100% whole wheat snacks.


Ingredients:
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
4 tablespoons butter softened
1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose unbleached flour
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1/4+- cup of milk

Directions:
Mix first six ingredients in a mixing bowl and add enough milk to form a stiff dough. Roll dough on a floured surface to 1/8 inch. Cut in desired shape. Bake the crackers at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until they brown around the edges.






4 comments:

  1. Hmmm, I think I will try this with coconut flour.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have never used coconut flour! When we dealt with milk allergies, a baker used coconut oil for a birthday cake and it was so light and delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  3. As a mother of goldfish addicts, I can't wait to try the cheese cracker recipe! Thanks for posting! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I hope you have success! If you prefer a cracker type, I would bake them for the full 15 minutes. My end result at 12 was a soft center, but we actually liked them better.

    ReplyDelete