The other day I took Audrey to a friends for the first time. Luckily, I brought along a bag of extra snacks because as soon as I told my friend that Audrey was gluten free and dairy free this look of panic came over her face! "Oh my goodness, so what DO you feed her!?" she exclaimed. Maybe some of you have even thought this yourself as you start a new Gluten Free diet for yourself or your child. I thought it would be helpful to just show you a list of the types of snacks Audrey eats. If you have a favorite snack you eat, be sure to leave it as a comment below!

This next treat is a healthy-sweet-tooth-satisfying-snack!! It's low in fat (and what little fat it does contain is the healthy kind from coconuts.) It has natural sugar from maple syrup and natural cinnamon spice. It's a great go-to recipe for a FAST snack as well. It took me only about 5 minutes to make! Not only that, it contains NO dairy, gluten, and it's VEGAN! 

Audrey LOVES this popcorn as well and I feel wonderfully guilt-free giving her a bowl knowing there's only a teaspoon of maple syrup! Try it at your next movie night! You'll love it!
    

Healthy Snickerdoodle
Popcorn Snack
(Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan)
Created by jalene

Makes 1 serving (small bowl full)
Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp Organic Popcorn 
  
• 1 tsp Coconut Oil, melted (see tip)
  
• 1 tsp 100% Pure Maple Syrup
  
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  
• pinch sea salt (optional)

Directions: 

1. Using a hot air popper, cook the popcorn. 
2. Combine the oil, maple syrup, and salt together.  While stirring the popcorn, pour the mixture over the top. 
3. While stirring again, sprinkle on the cinnamon and mix well. 

To make 4 servings: 

• 1/2 cup Organic Popcorn
• 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Coconut Oil
• 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp 100% Pure Maple Syrup
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp sea salt (optional)

Also, after my popcorn has popped and the lid to the hot air popper is still hot, I scoop my coconut oil in the top. This allows it to melt without heating in a separate pan. 

I HIGHLY recommend using organic, non-GMO popcorn. Please read HERE for more info. 

This recipe stems from a camping trip I once took when I was 14 years old. I went with a church group and forgot my sack lunch for the first day's meal! Luckily, a leader shared her meal with me: tuna and avocado. I was considering starving. The combo seemed crazy and in my young mind I was sure it was either death by starvation or death by eating this lunch! Reluctantly I gave in to eat it only because if I was going to die, I might as well have a full tummy. To my surprise it actually tasted good! But, I was sure it only tasted good because I was STARVING and it took me a while before I had enough guts to try it again. 

Now, I use this recipe as a great go-to when I need a quick, healthy snack. It's AMAZINGLY nutritious and I love the taste of it! There are so many great health benefits for TUNA. I highly recommend you read  this article about what it can do for you:   The World's Healthiest Foods; Tuna
  
Avocados are a great source of nutrients too! They actually PROMOTE blood sugar regulation and  help PREVENT the occurrence of cancers in the mouth, skin, and prostate gland! You can't get better than that. Give it a try! I'm sure you'll love it. 
  

Avocado Tuna Spread
(Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Egg-Free, Soy-Free, Corn-Free)

Created by jalene

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 of a large avocado or 1 whole small avocado (pitted, skin removed)
• 1 can tuna fish
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions: 

1. In a small bowl combine all of the ingredients and mix until well blended. 

Tastes great served on Rice Crackers or Gluten-Free Bread.  Keep in an airtight container in the fridge. (P.S. The lemon helps prevent the avocado from turning brown). 

 

We've been addicted to Parfaits lately at our house. They just look so cute and they are a great light summer snack. I got this adorable idea out of Parenting Magazine. I just swapped out the graham crackers for my Maple Cinnamon Granola recipe and used Dairy-Free yogurt instead. It's a great aesthetically pleasing snack that your kids will LOVE! Even my husband yesterday wanted me to make him one ;)
 

Fruit & Yogurt Parfait
(Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Adapted by jalene from a picture out of parenting magazine

Ingredients:

• 4 Tbsp of my Maple Cinnamon Granola or crushed Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Grahams
• 1/2 cup Dairy-Free Yogurt
• 4 Tbsp fruit (I used 2 Tbsp fresh strawberries and 2 Tbsp fresh bananas but you can use any kind of fresh fruit)

Directions: 

1. In a clear container add 1/4 cup yogurt. Top with 2 Tbsp granola and 2 Tbsp of fruit. 
2. Repeat layers from above until you are out. 

TIP from jalene:
You may need more of less ingredients according to the size of your cup. In order for the fruit to show up and not be covered by the layer of yogurt on top of it, press the fruit to the edge of the cup.  Enjoy! Audrey sure did!

One day my husband came home from work to find Audrey and I laughing and eating popcorn on the couch. The best part...we weren't even watching a movie! We were just enjoying each other and our snack. I have posted a lot of different kinds of recipes before but this one is so easy and maybe you may not think about being gluten-free. I'll also show you how to make it dairy-free as well. It is quick and a great healthy snack for little ones or yourself! 

Direction #1: 
Sometimes we like it just simple and lightly sprinkle some sea salt. We use Premier Pink Salt (or "Princess Salt" as we like to call it because of it's great natural pink color. It comes from somewhere by Hawaii and has great minerals in it as well!) You can get this through my husband's clinic if you are interested. 

Direction #2:
Other times we sprinkle on Nutritional Flakes which look like this. It has kind of a nutty flavor to it and is EXTREMELY good for you! In fact, you can add it to any of your other meals that you're looking to add nutrients to. I've even seen it used in place of Parmesan cheese before in Vegan recipes.  (You can get this from my husband's clinic as well.)

And BAM! An easy healthy snack that is quick to fix. :) 
Enjoy some tonight! Happy weekend. We'll catch you again on Monday.