A Gluten Free Kids Snack

I know that as an adult it is hard to give up tasty little treats when I went Primal, I would imagine as a child it would be even harder. After all, they are tempted with junk food at school and at friends houses and they lack the will power of knowing the effects that gluten/sugar can have on our bodies. I was trying to think of a Paleo treat to make for my niece when I was babysitting, it has been so nice these last few days I wanted something like a Popsicle... Here's what I came up with last minute with the ingredients I had on hand. Banana Pops.

This is also the perfect little project for the kiddo's to help with! Make it a fun time in the kitchen and teach them the importance of eating healthy while your cooking. They will thank you for it some day!

Frozen Banana Pops

desired amount of bananas, peeled and cut in half

1 Recipe Fully Paleo Chocolate the recipe can be found here:

http://cflcfood.blogspot.com/2010/08/fully-paleo-chocolate.html

Popsicle sticks or sticks of some kind

Toppings, I used coconut and chopped walnuts

After you have peeled and cut the bananas, put a stick into the bottom of each one

I didn't have enough chocolate to dip the bananas so I just used the back of a spoon and smeared the chocolate all over the banana


Roll in your favorite topping and freeze for an hour

As Long As They Hold Salsa...

I am a dipper, that change quite a bit when I went Primal. Everything used to be dipped on ketchup growing up, now I turn to mustard, salsa and homemade mayo based dips. I also LOVE chips and salsa, that was one of the hardest things to give up. Now I wouldn't say these are as good as tortilla chips, but they are salty and crunchy and the best part is they hold up to dipping!

Kale Chips

Kale

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

Your choice of seasonings, I have used lemon pepper, homemade taco seasoning, garlic/onion powder, or some cayenne to give it a kick.

Super easy! Tear the kale up into small-ish pieces (they will shrink in the oven). I have an olive oil spritzer that I used to mist the kale with Oil. sprinkle with salt, pepper and spices of your choice. Bake 350 for about 7-10 minutes until they start to brown and wilt around the edges it happens fast so make sure to keep a close eye on them!

Look at that dip ability, amazing right?!?!

Cocoa-nut vs. Cinnamon Coconut

For your snacking pleasure; in one corner you have Cocoa-nut, in the other Cinnamon Coconut Crunchies. Whats your fancy? Of course I will choose Cocoa-nut every time because I'm a chocoholic! The cinnamon flavored coconut had a warm taste and was fairly mild. Either way its a PHAT fat (hehe) and a wonderful snack.

Cocoa-Nut

1 Lb shaved coconut

1 tsp Vanilla extract

1 TBSP Coconut oil

2 TBSP Cocoa powder

1 TBSP Honey- melted

Cinnamon Coconut Crunchies

1 Lb shaved coconut

1 tsp Vanilla extract

1 TBSP Coconut oil

1 TBSP Cinnamon

Bake at 375 on a cookie sheet lined with foil for an easy clean-up. You will need to babysit this snack as the coconut burns quickly and easily. Bake for a total of 8-10 minutes stirring several times during the cooking process to ensure an even browning.

Tasty Balls

These balls are so good! Hubby and I had a hard time not eating the whole batch. I did share with my sisters when they were over for girls day and they loved them too! I was imagining (while shoving yet another ball into my mouth) these would be really good with a little orange zest in them, maybe a tablespoon or so? Feel free to try it and leave me a note in the comments.

Almond Date Truffles

2 1/2 C. Whole pitted dates (Freddies bulk bins have the best price in N. Idaho)

2 C. Almonds- If you want the balls to be extra tasty toast the almonds before you add them!

1 TBSP. Honey

1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1 tsp. Vanilla

1/2 C. Toasted Raw Coconut

Place all the ingredients into a food processor and let er rip until the mixture is pulverized and starts to form a big ball. (have I said "ball" too many times in this post?)

Take the mixture by tablespoons and form it into you guessed it, balls...

Roll the balls in the coconut mixture until coated well and try not to eat too many!