Sophia loves veggies and dip and Alex loves turkey sausage, so this healthy snack works for the all of us. Sophia also loves preparing food and making it ‘pretty’ which is another reason this is a favorite of hers.

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Check out the recipe, too!

Every family has a movie night now and then. I have to admit that our most recent movie night included a viewing of the TV Premiere of Disney’s ‘The Wizards of Waverly Place.’ And yes, I did watch it, despite the fact that I could just blame the kids for having it on, I was right there with them waiting to see if Alex and Justin could save the family. It’s times like these when a nice bowl of popcorn hits the spot.

Now we could just stick a bag in the microwave to address this salty, crunchy need, but we like to do things the two kids way–we make our popcorn in a pot on the stove. Once it’s done, we customize bowls for each muncher, specially seasoned to meet each snackers individual desires. Alex likes garlic salt and Italian seasoning, Sophia likes Old Bay, Aunt Dani prefers Rosemary infused olive oil and salt, while I have a thing for this garlic herb seasoning mix. Whatever popcorn snacking itch you have, this recipe lets you scratch.

Custom Movie Popcorn
1 Tbsp Vegetable or Canola Oil
1/4 cup popcorn
Italian Seasoning
Garlic Salt
Mrs. Dash
Olive Oil
Melted Butter
Any of your favorite seasonings

Add the oil to a pot and heat over medium heat. Add 2 or 3 kernels of popcorn to the oil. When these kernels pop, add the remaining popcorn. Make sure to shake the pot while the kernels pop so they don’t burn. When the popping stops, dump the popcorn into a large bowl.

Each snacker can dish up an bowl of popcorn and add their seasoning of choice–then let the munching begin!

This recipe is essentially a crudite platter with some additions, but it’s healthy and easy for any kids to prepare with a little help from a Mom (or Dad).

We tend to stick to the ingredients listed, but this is one recipe that is open for substitutions. The main goal with this one is to show the simplicity in ‘cooking’–which at times is pretty much just assembly. The episode that contains this recipe will be airing soon, and you’ll see 6 year old Sophia show you just how easy it is.

Snickety Snacks
1 Cucumber
1 Green Pepper
1 Cup or so Baby Carrots
4 oz or so Sliced Cheddar Cheese
4 oz or so Sliced Lean Turkey Sausage
1/3 cup Ranch Dressing

Peel the cucumber and then cut it in half length-wise. We like to scrape the seeds out with a spoon, but that’s not necessary. Then slice the cucumber in to bit-size slices.

Next, cut the pepper in half and remove the stem and seeds. After that, slice the pepper into even slices.

The baby carrots really only need to be washed, and then dry off any excess water.

Slice the cheese and sausage into even sizes.

Step two involves arranging your treats onto a platter nicely and adding the ranch dip into a bowl. V

Once you’ve tried this recipe on your own, please make sure and rate it!

Watch Sophie demonstrate how she makes Snickety Snacks on 2 Kids Cooking TV!

So, we all know snacks can be awesome. I’m not just talking about delicious and naughty snacks like brownies and cookies, but also healthy stuff, like seasoned almonds, fresh strawberries or yogurt smoothies.

Alex, Soph and I are huge snackers; much of our eating is very snacky and tapas-like and we usually go in snack-phases–like pistachios, strawberries and chocolate pudding, every day of the week. Then, once I’m convinced these are their forever favorites, they change to wanting string cheese, melon and jello–huge surprise, I know. So, to avoid a fridge filled with unwanted packets of go-gurt and rotting blueberries, I not only make sure to ask the kids what they’re liking these days, I also have a rule: if you say you want it, you must eat all of it before a different ‘favorite’ is purchased (this rule also governs the purchase of cereals. A person can only store so much cookie crisp and cocoa puffs before they just have to stop the madness).

To ensure an amble supply of treats are on hand, we thoroughly stock-up each week. Our healthy favorites include: Almonds, Pistachios, Cashews, String Cheese, Cheese in general, Pop-corn, fruit, veggies and dip, leaner sausages, pudding and yogurt. And, I am NOT one of those moms who does not allow the not-so-healthy treats, so we also have ice cream, chocolate, Little Debbie snacks, various candies and other sugar/fat laden delights.

See, my theory is balance when it comes to food in-take. If Sophie eats two Little Debbie brownies, she knows she’s done with ‘not-healthy’ foods for the day. She also knows that she’ll still be allowed to eat fruit or yogurt for a sweet snack later…just no more junk. And Alex knows that if he only eats chicken for supper and tries to sneak out on his peas, well then he will not get ice cream before bed.

We truly love our snacks. And as the head of this grazing brigade, I’d like to think that we are top notch snackers, who embrace both sides of the snack aisle–healthy and not-so-healthy–with a balance that ensures nutrition and fun.

Both of my kids love berries. And, since Alex prefers fruit to veggies, I serve an assortment regularly, with strawberries being our quick and easy favorite.

This delicious dessert or snack is a great way to serve up a variety berries and it’s especially tasty when it’s berry-picking season.

Berry Dippers
1 lb Fresh Strawberries
1 pint blueberries
2 cups red grapes

Dip:
1 1/2 to 2 1/2 Tablespoons Sugar
4 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

First, wash all of the fruit. Then cut the strawberries in half or in quarters, depending on size and remove the grapes from their stems.

Next, combine all Dip ingredients together in a bowl and mix together with a hand mixer until smooth.

Serve arranged on a platter with the dip in a separate bowl in the center.

Make sure to let us know what you think on this recipe once you try it!

Watch Alex and Soph demonstrate how they make this recipe on 2 Kids Cooking TV!