This time of year is tricky.
On one hand, I can't wait for all things pumpkin. Fall leaves. Halloween. Leggings & Boots. Scarves. Bring it on.
But then there's the fact that I'm holding on to that last string of summer. Lake life. Sun. Cocktails by the pool. Long days. Late nights. Oh I'm going to miss it all so much.
With every change of season comes changes in my habits. In the autumn, with school back in session, I'm definitely more organized, structured, and disciplined. I'm not the only one either. My son has always loved the idea of being on a routine and schedule just like his mama. I remember back when he was a baby, and any time we went out of the normal schedule, the whole day would be messed up. Overly tired if he didn't get a nap in at the normal time. Overly hungry if a meal was a little bit later than normal.
And that sure hasn't changed much as he's gotten older. Like most kids, Xander has gotten used to having an afternoon snack right around 3:00 every single day, even during the summer months.
The thing is, this mama gets a whole lot more relaxed during the summer months and buys a lot more packaged snacks and goodies. About a week before school starts - that's when I get the signal that it's time. Time to kick it back into high gear. Time to get my homemade snack game on. Time to get the snack containers stocked with goodies that will fuel the kiddo's brain for a good ole' homework session.
So this is what I did. I took the fact that I REALLY do want it to still be summer and stuck with the tropical flavors. I'm talking pineapples, coconut, and white chocolate. Takes you right back to summer vaca, doesn't it?
But then I paired those flavors with the healthy nutrients that make up a snack any mama would feel proud of and happy to feed their child after school. Oats & flax seeds. Perfect.
And do you think I added sugar to sweeten it up? Absolutely not. A large handful of dates is all you need for sweetness in each of these little bite-sized morsels.
On top of these granola bar bites, I'm planning on whipping up a whole bunch of healthier snacks so everyone has afternoon snack options. This is what I'm thinking so far:
- Spiced popcorn
- Banana oatmeal bars
- Roasted chickpeas
- Muffins
What type of snacks do you have ready for your kids for after school snacks?
Or are you making snacks for yourself at the office to get through the mid-day slump?
Let me know your plan for healthy snacking and give me some ideas of your favorites.
Ingredients
- 15 dates , pitted
- 1 cup vanilla almond milk
- 3 cups old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup ground flax seeds
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut
- ⅔ cup dried pineapple , chopped into very small pieces
- ⅓ cup white chocolate chips , chopped into very small pieces
- ⅓ cup coconut oil , melted
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse pitted dates until they come to a paste. Add almond milk gradually and pulse until you have a smooth sauce. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, flax, coconut, pineapple, and white chocolate.
- Add the date sauce and melted coconut oil to the oat mixture and stir, incorporating all ingredients completely.
- Scoop tablespoon-fuls of mixture and roll into balls, placing on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Place in the refrigerator for at least an hour to set before placing in an air-tight container.
Notes
If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a pic and add it to Instagram, tagging me @happyfoodholly
For more of my favorite healthy snacky foods, make sure you check out my healthy snacks page!
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