Information for Parents

February Snack Ideas

Yogurt Banana Split

1 small banana, peeled
1 cup lowfat vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup lowfat granola
1/4 cup blueberries, strawberries, or other berries

Cut the banana in half lengthwise (from tip to top.)
Spoon yogurt into a cereal bowl.
Place the banana halves on the sides of the yogurt.
Top the yogurt with granola and berries.

Serves one.

Sparkling Fruit Drinks

(For a more nutritious drink for kids.)
6 ounces of your favorite fruit juice
2 ounces of carbonated water

Stir together and enjoy.

Serves one.

Banana Muffins
4 cups biscuit mix
1 cup sugar
3 medium eggs
2/3 cup milk
1-1/2 cup bananas, mashed

Mix all ingredients with a mixer on medium speed. Spray muffin tins with cooking spray. Pour muffin mix into greased tins and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Makes 20 muffins.

Peanut Butter Balls
1 cup bran flake cereal
1/3 cup dried apricots
6 Tbsp. dry milk powder
1-1/4 cups peanut butter
1/3 cup honey*

Crush half of cereal with a rolling pin or in food processor and set aside. Chop apricots on a cutting board or in a food processor. Add dry milk, honey*, remainder of cereal, and peanut butter to apricots until mixture is blended. Using your hands, roll peanut butter mixture into small, bite-size balls. Coat balls with crushed cereal and store in refrigerator or freezer until snack time. Makes 20 snack balls.

*Do not use honey in beverages and uncooked foods for children under 2 years of age. Honey may contain botulism toxins.

Lemon Cookie Squares
6 Tbsp. margarine
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. lemon extract
1/2 tsp. lemon rind, grated
1-1/4 cups flour
2 dashes of salt
3/4 tsp. baking powder

Cream together margarine and sugar. Add egg, lemon extract and lemon rind. Mix well. Gradually add flour, salt, and baking powder, mixing well after each addition. Roll dough about 1/4 inch thick on lightly floured board. Cut with two-inch cookie cutter (use a heart shaped cookie cutter for valentine cookies!). Place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake 7 minutes at 400 degrees. Makes at least 20.

From The (no leftovers!) Child Care Cookbook
by Jac Lynn Dunkle and Martha Shore Edwards

Chow Mein
Ring in the Chinese New Year on February 5! Prepare canned chow mein according to the directions on the label. Add fresh bean sprouts if desired and set out soy sauce for tasting. For dessert give each child two tangerine or orange slices - two is a lucky number! After snack let the children observe the Chinese custom of singing "Happy Birthday" to themselves. Traditionally, everyone celebrates a birthday on New Year's Day!!