Tag Archives: Snacks

Making Money from Vending Machines

Think about how much cash you’ve deposited in vending machines over the years? Isn’t it about time you started making money from these machines instead of allowing them to suck your wallet dry? Running a vending machine business is a great way to pad your budget.  What’s more, you can run the bulk of the operations from your home, set your own hours, and turn a profit without a ton of advertising and manual labor. If you decide to give the business idea a try, consider the type of machines you want to own.  Find a reliable manufacturer who can … Continue reading →

5 Free Family Activities You Can Do Today

Forget buying the latest video game or springing for a couple of hours at one of those indoor kids activity places. Instead, try one of the following free family activities that you can do today. Zero cost but lots of fun. 1. Go for a Hike…Literally Being outdoors in nature instantly calms you and raises your spirits. Studies have proven it over and over again. Plus kids really do thrive on fresh air and exercise. A hike, or even just a walk in the park, can be an activity that the whole family can enjoy. Plus, it is free. Bonus … Continue reading →

Eating Healthy Snacks

If there is one thing that can quickly demolish your efforts at a fit lifestyle it is snacking. Okay, maybe that’s only true for me. For a long time I had no problem getting in enough exercise on a daily basis. I cut down portion sizes at mealtime, introduced healthier items into my meals and cut out the sugary iced tea that I was drinking on a daily basis. But I was still in a battle with snacking. In between all of that good stuff was munching on Doritos, dipping Oreo cookies into a cold glass of milk and enjoying … Continue reading →

Nutritious Back-to-School Treats

Healthy doesn’t have to mean horrible tasting. Of course, trying to explain to your 8-year-old why you are filling his lunchbox with carrots and celery sticks instead of chips and chocolate (for the 18th time in less than 24 hours) isn’t without its challenges. Instead of battling with your child over what’s inside his lunchbox, consider experimenting with nutritious snack options that taste great, such as: *Popcorn (pop your own – it’s cheaper and healthier) *Dried fruit *Trail Mix or GORP *Peanut butter or cheese crackers *Fruit muffins *Banana bread or carrot and nut cake *Granola bars *Pancakes made with … Continue reading →

Moose is Full of Mischief!

I guess even dogs can get a wild hair now and then. My dog Moose (a German shepherd mix) has been full of mischief lately! It started a few nights ago. The dogs and I went to bed around ten (our usual bedtime, give or take an hour or so) after one last quick trip outside for piddles. Around 1:30 in the morning, something drags me out of slumber. Fwee! Fwee! This is the noise Moose makes when he wants attention; it’s a pathetic cross between a whine and a whistle. Moose only has the one “distress” noise, so I … Continue reading →

Recipes for Your Thanksgiving Snack Table

Growing up my parents never allowed us to eat snacks on Thanksgiving. I suspect this tradition stemmed from my mom not wanting her 10-hour day in the kitchen to be for not, and the desire for a costly multi-course meal for a family of eight to be completely devoured by ravenous children. When I moved to the mainland for college I discovered that not all families function the way mine did. In fact, I quickly learned that snacks and Thanksgiving go hand-in-hand for some clans, especially those who enjoy watching professional football on Turkey Day. If your Thanksgiving Day includes … Continue reading →

Having the Hang Out Home

The other day, a parent of one of the neighborhood kids came by looking for his four-year-old son. They had an errand to run and he needed to collect the little boy. “It looks like you have the hang out house!” he said. Having the hang out house can be a mixed blessing. On the positive side I always know where my kids are. They are right at my home or in my yard, so I know that they are safe, and I never have to go looking for them. I can hear and usually see what is going on. … Continue reading →

Don’t Let Yourself Get Too Hungry

We’re trying to lose weight. We’re not supposed to be thinking about food all the time. We’re trying to push the thoughts of food out of our minds and make it less of a priority on our radar screens. But when we do this, we run the risk of not feeding ourselves enough. That seems like a contradiction of our goals. Isn’t cutting back on food the aim here? Isn’t it good to forget about eating? Yes and no. We should turn our attention away from food at times of stress, boredom, and emotional overload. It’s good to ignore food … Continue reading →

Does Snacking Have to be a Bad Thing?

I was brought up in a world where snacking was the enemy. I remember we were allowed one morning snack and one afternoon snack and it was supposed to be no eating or snacking before dinner. I confess that I have been much more lenient with my own children’s eating habits and since I keep plenty of healthy snacking possibilities around the house, I don’t really worry about snacking—even right before dinner. Probably the junkiest thing we have in our house is microwave popcorn (and I cannot help but trust Paul Newman–even with microwave popcorn.) Add that to the pretzels … Continue reading →

Simple Snacks to Take on the Road

In my regular TRAVEL blog I’ve been writing a series of articles on ways to save when traveling with children. Most parents know that next to transportation and lodging expenses the biggest hit to a family’s budget while on vacation is food. Which is why I make a habit of packing snacks to bring with us on our family trips. The following recipes are for very simple and affordable snacks that travel well. In fact, they are so simple that my 3-year-old daughter often helps me prepare them. Not only does it allow her to gain cooking experience, but also … Continue reading →