Holiday Cookies
These cookies are great to make and share with friends over the holidays.

What You Need:

·  2 cups of uncooked oatmeal

·  1 cup brown sugar

·  1 cup oil

·  1 beaten egg

·  1 cup coconut

·  1 teaspoon salt

·  1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Parents: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Help your child measure and mix together the following ingredients: oatmeal, sugar, oil, and egg.

3. Add in the coconut, salt, and vanilla. Have children stir the mixture well.

4. Have your child help you drop the mixture by a teaspoon onto a greased cookie sheet.

5. Parents: Place cookie sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes.

6. Parents: Remove cookies from oven and take off tray. Allow cookies to cool before serving.

Enjoy cookies with a glass of milk or a cup of hot chocolate. Store remaining cookies in an airtight container.

 

 

 

 

Peanut Butter Snack Rolls
A new way to enjoy an old favorite.

What You Need (per serving):

·  2 tablespoons peanut butter

·  1 slice whole wheat bread

·  one or more of the following toppings: 1 tablespoon all-fruit, low-sugar spread, cup sliced bananas, crushed pineapple, apple slices, or other fruit

·  waxed paper

·  a plastic knife

·  a rolling pin

Directions:

1. Remove crust from bread slice.

2. Place slice of bread on a piece of waxed paper.

3. Help your child use the rolling pin to flatten the piece of bread.

4. Have your child spread a thin layer of peanut butter on the bread.

5. Invite your child to choose a topping and spread it on the peanut butter.

6. Help your child roll the piece of bread into the shape of a log.

7. Using a plastic knife, help your child cut the peanut butter snack roll into bite-size pieces.

Enjoy with a glass of milk.

 

Nature's Candy
A treat that's sweet and healthy to eat!

What You Need:

·  lb. (about 10) pitted dates

·  lb. (about 12) dried figs

·  lb. (about 12) dried apricots

·  1cup raisins

·  1 cup chopped nuts

·  2 tbsp. shredded coconut

·  a tray or cutting board

·  plastic knives

·  a chopping knife (for parents' use only)

·  a large bowl

·  a mixing spoon

·  waxed paper

·  a large plate

Directions:

1. Put each ingredient, except the coconut, on the tray or cutting board one at a time. Take turns with your child chopping the fruits and nuts with the plastic knives. (When your child has finished, you may need to use the sharp knife to make sure that ingredients are chopped finely.)

2. Place all the chopped ingredients in the large bowl. Use the spoon to mix everything together.

3. Optional: Ask your child to moisten his/her hands with a little water. Let him/her help form the mixture into 1-inch balls.

4. Sprinkle the coconut on a sheet of waxed paper. Ask your child to roll balls in the coconut and then place the balls on the plate.

5. As you enjoy your snack together, talk about how it is similar to (and different from) other kinds of candy.

 

Nutty Apple Treats
It's apple season—a great time for sharing sweet, healthy snacks.

What You Need:

·  3 or 4 apples of your choice

·  1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter

·  1/2 cup crushed cornflakes

·  plastic knives

·  small bowl

Directions:

1. Invite children to help you wash the apples. (Discuss why it is important to do this.)

2. Mix the peanut butter and cornflakes in the small bowl.

2. Parents: slice the apples.

3. Have children help you spread the peanut butter mixture onto each apple slice.

Enjoy!

 

 

Banana Bits
A cool, delicious snack to take you and your child into fall.

What You Need:

·  2 bananas

·  a cutting board

·  for parents: a knife for cutting

·  aluminum foil

·  a set of measuring spoons

·  a shallow dish

·  3 tablespoons honey

·  1 tablespoon wheat germ

·  3 tablespoons chopped nuts

·  waxed paper

·  a plastic bag

Directions:

1. Invite children to help you peel the bananas and place them on the cutting board.

2. Parents: slice the bananas into 1-inch chunks.

3. Cover the cookie sheet with a piece of aluminum foil.

4. Put the honey in a shallow dish.

5. Mix the wheat germ with the chopped nuts and sprinkle it on the waxed paper.

6. One at a time, have children help you dip the banana chunks in the honey. Then roll them in the chopped nuts and wheat germ and place them on the cookie sheet.

7. Set the cookie sheet in the freezer for about one hour, or until the banana chunks are hard. Then put them in a plastic bag and keep the bag in the freezer. Eat the banana bits frozen.