Maple Syrup and Toasted Walnuts over Yogurt

Yogurt is such a good healthy side for the lunch box and adding fresh fruit is not the only possible healthy addition.

Pure Maple Syrup has many health benefits. Pure maple syrup has manganese, which disarms free radicals. Pure maple syrup is good for your heart (thanks to the zinc),  and it is good for the immune system (also due to zinc and the manganese).

This yogurt side would be tasty with any toasted nut but I chose walnuts because... well, I was out of pecans. But walnuts is the go-to nut when you want to most nutritious option. Walnuts are rich in the B vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants. Walnuts also lower bad cholesterol. I have heard that raw nuts are healthiest but OH how toasting nuts brings out the yummiest of flavors! The walnuts can be toasted the night before, cooled, and placed in an airtight container. But it doesn't take too long to toast them and cool them off.

(tips on toasting walnuts here) 

Maple Syrup and Toasted Walnuts over Yogurt

Vanilla yogurt (light, fat free, Greek)

toasted walnuts

1 tsp. Pure Maple Syrup

Spoon yogurt into small container with a tight lid. This can be done the night before placed in freezer. Top with toasted walnuts (to taste) and pour Pure Maple Syrup atop.



Apple Pie Snack Mix

November most definitely screams Apple Pie and this crunchy snack mix would go perfect in the lunch box and it's sooooo good!

Apple Pie Snack Mix

3 cups Cinnamon Chex (if generic existed, I would have used it)

3 cups Rice Chex (I did actually use generic here)

1 cup toasted walnut pieces

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 T. molasses

3 T. butter

1 t. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

2 cups freeze dried apples, coarsely chopped if needed

8 oz. vanilla yogurt raisins

In a large bowl mix cereals and walnuts. Set aside.

In a small bowl combine sugar, butter, molasses and spices. Microwave for 1 minute, stir, then microwave for 30 more seconds.

Pour over cereal mix and toss until evenly coated. (or as best as you can, I never feel like I can toss quickly enough for a good coating)

Microwave for 4 minutes but stop every minute to toss. After 4 minutes of cooking, spread on cookie sheet to cool. When cool add apples and yogurt raisins and toss one last time.

Store in airtight container.

**recipe adapted from this recipe

Banana Dog with PB&J and Strawberry Relish

Easy, convenient, healthy, delicious, and colorful. That's how I would explain this Banana Dog. The kids love it and so do I. (I devoured mine while waiting for this picture to load)

Banana Dog with PB&J and Strawberry Relish

• whole wheat hot dog bun
• banana
• PB and J, mixed (I used Simply Fruit Black Raspberry) about 1 T. each
• 1-2 diced strawberries

Smear PB&J mix on both sides of hot dog bun. Add banana and diced strawberries on top. Wrap tight in plastic wrap and then foil.