Bluberry Cereal Trail Mix

Three out of my four boys all prefer eating cereal dry.

No milk. No spoons.

They like their cereal to be finger food. Which, hey, as a mom on the go I don't really have too many complaints about that. Have snack will travel.

That is always a good thing.

With Summer basically here, that means baseball, swimming lessons, sports camps, road trips and oh so many other activities. That means we are snacking a lot on the go. I really wanted to create a snack that was fun, portable, and still healthy.

So I decided to use one of my boys' favorite cereals as the jumping off point for a healthy trail mix. My boys really like Kellogg's mini shredded wheat. The flavored ones are at the top of their list. I grabbed a box of Blueberry Frosted Mini Wheats. Then I gathered up a few other ingredients and I made up a batch of this Blueberry Trail Mix.

Cereal makes the best trail mix. Plus you can pretty much make up any kind of trail mix you want. Then you throw it in any portable container and take it with you. I am not above just throwing it at my kids while driving.

My boys really liked this mix. Ninety percent wholesome, Ten percent chocolate. Perfect.

 

 Print HERE

Project: Road Trip-Homemade Snacks

I decided to morph Recipe Thursdays with Project: Road Trip this week. 

One of the best things to aid in a successful road trip is FOOD...okay so one of the best things to aid in the success of anything (well, except maybe a diet) is food...

Since food/snacks/treats/bribes are so important in maintaining peace in the vehicle, I wanted to prepare a couple of fun snacks.

So today for Project: Road Trip...

I am sharing this recipe for Homemade Cheez-Its. Making homemade crackers is kind of a cool thing to do. I felt all accomplished. The Little Men loved the idea of homemade crackers too.

Homemade Cheez-Its
In Katrina's Kitchen

Ingredients
8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
1 Tablespoon vegetable shortening (or add another T of butter if you don't like using shortening)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup flour
2 Tablespoons ice water
coarse salt for sprinkling

Combine cheese, butter, shortening, and salt in the bowl of your mixer with the paddle attachment. Mixture will be crumbly.

Slowly add the flour, then add the ice water.

Pat the dough into 2 disks and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

When the dough has been refrigerated long enough, preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Roll each disc to 1/8". Then cut using a pizza roller. Cut them in columns and rows, making tons of small squares. In the middle of each square, poke a hole using a toothpick. Transfer onto a cookie sheet.

Repeat with other disc of dough.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until puffed and browning around the edges.

Move crackers to a cooling rack.

Once cool, pack in an air tight container until ready to serve.

I wonder how long it will take my boys to inhale these???

Grab-n-Go Reusable Snack Bags:Tutorial

Last week I had a crafting request from a friend of mine. Apparently she seems to think I am a creative genius or something. While her faith in me is flattering, I am not sure I deserve it! 

HOWEVER, at least this time I was able to meet her request. She asked me to create some type of reusable snack holder. I know there have been more than a few answers to the reusable snack carrier dilemma...I bet you didn't know it was a huge dilemma did you...well it is...hehehe.

Anyhoo...right after reading her request I started brainstorming. 

This is what I came up with- 

A handy dandy, super dooper, easy peasy...have I gone too far with my adjectives...well basically an altogether quite terrific reusable Grab-n Go snack bag.

 The cool thing about this bag is that the outside is made from a vinyl tablecloth. Something you can fin ANYWHERE and in tons of fun patterns. 

So do you want to make some?

Grab-n-Go Reusable Snack Bag: Tutorial

Here is what you will need:

vinyl table cloth (One table cloth will make you tons. I like to buy the largest size because the price seldom differs from the smaller ones. When you by the large one you can save the unused portion and make THIS or even THIS)

clear plastic (can be found at fabric store in utility fabric section, meant for covering things like tables)

veclro

coordinating thread

Measurements:

Outside (from pattern tablecloth)- 1 piece 7 1/2" by 6 1/2"

                                                    1 piece 10 1/2" by 6 1/2"

Inside- (from coordinating tablecloth or the same pattern)

                                                    1 piece 3 1/2" by 6 1/2"

            (from clear vinyl)

                                                    14" by 6 1/2"

First let me say that it is near impossible to see the clear vinyl in the pictures, so hopefully my written instructions will make sense on those steps.

Okay let's get started.

1. Sew the small strip (the inside lining of the top flap) to the clear vinyl. Do this by placing them right sides together...there is no right side to clear vinyl so you can choose...with top edge of vinyl and the bottom edge of the patterned piece. Sew with a 1/4" seam allowance.

It will look like this-

2. Take the outside pieces and place right sides together with the bottom edge of each patterned piece matching. Sew together with a 1/2" seam allowance.

To add a finishing touch, I sewed a line of stitches the outside on either side of the seam line. I choose a thread color that coordinated and would show.

3. Now you will attach the outside and inside pieces together. Place the pieces right sides facing, with the top of the inside lining flap (my fishy pattern) matching the top of the outside piece (my ocean pattern).

See here is where it is tricky, because you can't see the clear vinyl...I promise it is there.

You will sew the two pieces together with a 1/4" seam allowance. Then turn it out and sew a line of stitches along the top, really securing your pieces together and adding a finishing touch. This is the flap of your bag.

4. To finish of the front of the snack bag, sew a line of stitching along the top, this will attach the clear vinyl to the front of your bag. Then sew a piece of velcro  about 1 1/2" down from the top. Make sure the velcro is centered. 

5. Final assemble steps! Lay the snack bag so that the clear lining is facing up. Fold the bag up so that the top of the front outside piece just comes up to the bottom of the inside top flap.

Like this-

You will sew the side edges of your snack bag closed. Sew up one side completely from top to bottom, making sure your completely sew the bottom corner closed. Repeat on the other side. Make sure that you sew from the bottom all the way up to the top of the flap...the entire side.

6. The last step is attaching the other piece of velcro, not quite an inch from the top.

Now you have a nifty and thrifty little Grab-n-Go reusable snack bag.

Find some treats and load 'em up.

The good news is your kids will be just as excited about these bags as they are for the treat inside.

I am sure you noticed that I played around with cut-outs with one of my snack bags. It is a fun little sneak peak to the treat inside. Play around, see what you can come up with.

After rereading this post to check for errors, I noticed it could sound tricky. PLEASE ask me any and all questions. Either in the comment section or email. These really are EASY to whip out. Once you get one done you will see.

Care instructions: These bags can be cleaned with soap and water. Then allow to air dry. DO NOT put in dishwasher/regular washer.

DISCLAIMER: I know there is some debate on materials that are safe for holding food items. Both of these materials were manufactured for the purpose of eating on/nearby them, so I felt safe in allowing my children's food to touch these bags. Follow your own instincts. 

Linking up:

Show and Tell Wednesdays: Blue Cricket Design

Whatever Goes Wednesdays: Someday Crafts

We Did It Wednesdays: Sew Much Ado

Strut Your Stuff: Somewhat Simple

Tutorial Tuesdays: The Little Birdies

Friday Fun Finds: Kojo Designs

Weekend Wrap Up: Tatertots and Jello