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13 homemade snacks that beat anything bought in a bag

8/31/2016

Did you know you can create many of your favorite snacks at home?

Homemade snacks are often healthier and cheaper than buying packaged snacks. Plus, they are a lot easier than you would think. We'll get you started with 13 of our favorite snack recipe ideas.

1. Baked Apple Chips

Need something a little sweeter? Give these Baked Apple Chips a try!

2. Kale Chips

Kale Chips are an easy way to get the kids to eat vegetables!!

3. Granola Bars

Homemade Granola Bars? Yes please!

4. Ants on a Log

Have the kids make these fun Ants on a Log on their own!

5. Energy Trail Mix

6. Sweet & Salty Trail Mix

Make your own trail mix by blending your favorite nuts, seeds, dried fruit and cereal, or try our Energy Trail Mix or Sweet & Salty Trail Mix recipes.

7. Vegetables and Hummus

Fiesta Hummus is a great source of healthy protein so it will fill you up!

8. Veggies or whole grain crackers with Guacamole

Avocados are high in healthy fats, which makes guacamole a very satisfying dip.

9. Fruit Salad

There is nothing better than fresh cut fruit. You can see what is in season on our CT Crop Calendar page. If you buy fruits in season they will be less expensive and taste twice as good!

10. Veggie & Turkey Pinwheels

Veggie & Turkey Pinwheels are little, bite-sized wraps filled with flavor.

11. Fruit Pizza

Everyone loves pizza and fruit so why not put them together!?

12. Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

You can use any type of fresh, frozen or canned fruit to make this Fruit & Yogurt Parfait your own!

13. Popcorn

Did you know popcorn is a whole grain? Making plain popcorn and flavoring it with your own spices is much healthier than buttered popcorn in a bag. Try Stove-Top Popcorn or Chili Popcorn.

Need more snack ideas?

Check out our healthy snacking tips page.

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An apple a day...

8/22/2016

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You should probably be eating more apples, and not just because they keep the doctor away. Apples are packed with nutrition, but they're also easy to find and less expensive than many other types of fruit. Allow me to convince you...

What's so great about apples?

They're full of fiber! Fiber helps to prevent constipation and keep your digestive system healthy. Some research suggests it also helps prevent certain types of cancer. Fiber is mostly found in the skin of the apple, so don't peel it off!
Apples last a long time, which means they are very budget friendly. You can buy them in bulk and keep them in your refrigerator for weeks without them going bad.
They're an easy, smart snack. Try dipping slices of them in peanut butter or other nut butter for a yummy and filling snack.

TIP:

Keep apples unwashed in the refrigerator, and they can last up to 3 to 4 weeks!

Check out our Baked Apples recipe!

Try these apple recipes!

Baked Apple Chips

Apple Nachos

Baked Apples and Cranberries

Baked Apples and Sweet Potatoes

Apple Tuna Sandwich

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

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Stone fruits?? What the heck are stone fruits?!

8/15/2016

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Peaches

What is in peaches?

Peaches contain Vitamin A, which is good to keep your eyes and skin healthy!

Choosing peaches

Choose peaches with reddish and velvety skin

Storing and preparing peaches

Rinse peaches before eating! They can be eaten whole, but make sure to avoid the pit inside
Keep peaches out of sunlight and at room temperature until ripe. Once they get ripe, put peaches in refrigerator. They last up to five days!

Try these Peach Recipes!

Why you may not see as many Peaches in Connecticut this year:
Even though there was not so much snow this Winter, the temperature dropped to below zero many times! The freezing cold temperatures killed most of this summer's peach crop, which is why there may not be many peaches at CT Farmers Markets this summer. We hope that next summer they will be back! Don't worry, you should see all other stone fruits available at the CT Farmers Markets this summer!

Peach Cobbler

Peach Bran Muffins

Plums

Plum Cucumber Salad

Storing and preparing plums

Allow ripe plums to sit and reach room temperature, this will make for the sweetest and juiciest flavor! Once they hit room temperature, they can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.
If the plums are not ripe yet, leave them out on the counter until they get ripe before moving them to the refrigerator

Try this plum recipe!

What is in plums?

Plums contain Vitamin C which is helpful in fighting off colds and healing cuts!

Choosing plums

Choose plums that are slightly soft to the touch

Cherries

Apricots

Nectarines

More Stone Fruits

Information adapted from: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/cdp/stellar-farmers-markets-recipes.pdf

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Say What?? Things about peppers you'll wish you knew earlier

8/8/2016

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Peppers come in all different colors and sizes. You can eat them raw or cook them into a tasty and healthy recipe! Read below to find out more about peppers.

Storing Peppers

Store peppers in the refrigerator. They can last up to 7-10 days especially if you put them in a plastic bag.

Purchasing Peppers

Choose firm peppers with no soft spots! They should have smooth skin and even color.

Preparing Peppers

Rinse peppers in the sink for cleaning. You want to remove the stem and the seeds inside before eating or cooking with them. To do this, cut the pepper with a knife like in the image to the left. Then take the stem and seeds out!

What is in Peppers?

Peppers are high in Vitamin C, which helps to fighting colds and heal cuts! They have twice the amount of Vitamin C as citrus fruits! They also have a lot of Vitamin A.

Hot Peppers

Peppers can be hot also! Hot peppers get their heat from Capsaicin. This is a substance in the seeds of peppers, and when you eat them they are very hot! If you like spicy food, don't worry about eating the seeds! If you touch spicy peppers, make sure you wash your hands before touching or rubbing your eyes. Capsaicin can burn your eyes.
Some examples of hot peppers are habanero, jalapeño and ghost peppers.

Try These Delicious Pepper Recipes!

Eggplant and Pepper Dip

Southwestern Pepper Cups

Sliced bell peppers and mini peppers are a healthy and easy snack! They are not spicy and are good raw. Try dipping them in our Fiesta Hummus or our Greek Cucumber Yogurt Dip!

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SNAP4CT Blog

13 homemade snacks that beat anything bought in a bag

1. Baked Apple Chips

2. Kale Chips

3. Granola Bars

4. Ants on a Log

5. Energy Trail Mix

6. Sweet & Salty Trail Mix

7. Vegetables and Hummus

8. Veggies or whole grain crackers with Guacamole

9. Fruit Salad

10. Veggie & Turkey Pinwheels

11. Fruit Pizza

12. Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

13. Popcorn

Need more snack ideas?

An apple a day...

What's so great about apples?

TIP:

Check out our Baked Apples recipe!

Try these apple recipes!

Stone fruits?? What the heck are stone fruits?!

Peaches

Try these Peach Recipes!

Plums

Try this plum recipe!

More Stone Fruits

Say What?? Things about peppers you'll wish you knew earlier

Hot Peppers

Try These Delicious Pepper Recipes!

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