Howdy all! Hope this find you well. It is a beautiful day in the neighborhood here today. Cooler, no humidity and sunny. We got some rain yesterday and it was lovely. Looks like there will be a high heat reprieve here for a week or so. YAY!
Hoping to get some yard work done in the next couple days!
I keep reading FB posts from folks that now have children home for the summer, and trying to stretch the food budget. It can be hard for some folks. When in school children get a lunch for their mid-day and at home, things can be tight when there are more mouths to feed at home.
Here are a few idea that may help those in need.
These ideas can also be used for anyone, including the elderly on limited budgets.
First and foremost, make sure you buy things on sale and from clearance aisles. Keep it simple. IF you NEED it, please utilize food banks for help!!!!!
Watch your grocery stores for their clearance sections.
FRUIT - our grocery has a .99/bag section of markdown fruit. It is still perfectly good, and you tend to get several pieces of fruit for the price. Watch for those special sales and digital coupons that get you a good price.
If you can't get fresh fruit - try frozen or canned (with no sugars added).
So as not to waste fruit - cut it up in smaller pieces. Children often waste a good portion of a whole piece of fruit. Use leftover fruit in slushies or milk shakes. Make popsicles. Freeze bananas - they are like eating a popsicle (you can dip in chocolate first if you have it).
Melons are coming into season and can be cut up into bite size pieces. One melon can be several servings!
VEGGIES
Fresh veggies cut up and added to a little homemade dip is a tasty treat and healthy. Never forget the old time snack of celery with peanut butter or cheese. I had that a lot when a kiddo. Fresh carrot sticks or any fresh veggies from a garden can be added to some pasta and a little dressing and you have pasta salad, which can make a healthy snack.
Buy whole carrots and stalks of celery and cut up yourself - don't buy those bags of pre-cut or baby carrots (they have bad stuff on them). Pickles and olives can be added to the mix as well.
Keep a lot of cut of veggies in the frig for a quick grab!
Homemade simple treats.
Make some simple cookies or a cake if you have the ingredients or have some mixes on hand. Brownies, cookies, cake (doesn't even need icing), fudge, popsicles, pudding, Jello cups (homemade), etc. It doesn't need to be fancy.
IF you have cereal at home - even a bowl of cereal and milk can be a snack.
JUICE - is always good as well - whether fruit or veggie.
POPCORN - is very cheap and easy.
Instead of buying chips of all sorts, make popcorn yourself (not the microwave stuff). You can have popcorn with any type of seasonings. Jazz it up a bit. Make popcorn balls if you have the ingredients, or get creative and come up with your own type of popcorn snack. (balls, bars, indiv. sized)
Think about other stuff as well.
PBJ sandwiches. Hummus (make your own) and veggies. Pudding or yogurt topped with leftover cereal crumbs.
Toasted bread or buns with a little butter and cinnamon/sugar.
Toasted bread with peanut butter and slices of apple or banana.
Homemade mini pancakes/waffles with some peanut or jelly added.
Easy homemade biscuits with topping of cinnamon/sugar or served with jelly.
Lunchmeat sandwiches. Tuna salad, chicken salad, egg salad - whatever you can throw together to make a sandwich filling. Again - cut them up into smaller sections so that nothing is wasted!!!!
I still love a treat of apple slices and peanut butter!
Roast some garbanzo beans (chickpeas) for a tasty snack.
Nuts of any kind are filling.
There are so many options for easy and cheap snacks.
I remember having lots of popsicles as a child. Made from Kool-Ade or fruit juice. Sometimes if there was a little pudding left, mom would add some milk and freeze as a popsicle. You can also freeze in ice cube trays and a fun treat.
Mom always had a cookie jar with some kind of homemade cookies. Usually sugar cookies. My friends thought "my" cookie jar was the bomb (they only got store bought)! If you have fruit trees - there is a good treat. I loved picking apples or cherries or grapes when a child.
There are lots of cheaper options available - you just have to think a little and get creative.
Nothing is off limits for a snack - even leftovers.
Keep those young-ins and yourselves full. A hungry belly is miserable for anyone.
Always remember - if you need help, please ask for it.
Keep your snacks fun and simple.
Happy snacking!!!
List your ideas for tasty snacks. Looking for all ideas that help someone!!!
