Jan 4, 2019 | Recipes
by Erin Parekh, Holistic Health Coach + Culinary Nutrition Expert
Let’s talk snacks and sweets! Because at the end of the day, we all know snack time is where it’s really at.
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The key to preventing afternoon meltdowns and crazy sugar highs is making sure snacks (and yes, sweet treats too) have a balance of protein + fiber + fat just like a regular meal.
When thinking about snacks, you can either make smaller versions of the lunchboxes I talked about here, or do a little prep ahead of time and make a stash of all-in-one, freezer friendly options like a veggie packed cookie that can double as breakfast too.
Here are some of my favorite mom-tested, kid-approved recipes that store beautifully in the freezer (or keep in the fridge for up to one week).
TIPS FOR FREEZING
Wrap Well – Individually wrap each cookie/muffin or store items like falafel balls or energy bites in layers between parchment paper. Then keep sealed in a freezer bag or plastic container.
Label and Date – I don’t know how many times I’ve put something in the freezer only to find it months later and wonder what the heck it was and when I made it. To prevent this from happening (most of the time), I make sure to label each container with what’s inside and date it as well. I’ll either write directly on the plastic bag with a permanent marker or use a piece of making tape.
Properly Defrost – Ideally, most frozen foods should be defrosted in the fridge overnight as using the microwave can cause them to dry out. But I get it – and sometimes we just have to do what’s quick and easy! The toaster oven is also a great option for defrosting and reheating items like the sweet potato falafel. Energy bites and cookies can be thrown into a backpack frozen and should be defrosted and ready to eat by afternoon.
Use It Up – Most freezer-friendly foods have a shelf life of 2-3 months for optimal freshness. Energy balls tend to keep a bit longer. I like to keep an eye-level section in my freezer allocated for pre-made foods. This way I can easily see what I have and there’s less of a chance things become buried in the back never to be found again.