September is NATIONAL FRUIT AND VEGETABLE MONTH and serves as a great reminder that we can all incorporate more healthy foods into our daily routines.

Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled, and today, nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. Now that’s the bad news. The good news is that by making just a few lifestyle changes, we can help our children lead healthier lives–and we already have the tools we need to do it. We just need the will– and a few good ideas!

Banana In a Blanket
This recipe makes for a quick and nutritious breakfast or afternoon snack!

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:
1 (6 inch) whole wheat tortilla
1 tablespoon reduced-fat smooth peanut butter
1 medium banana
1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
1 tablespoon crunchy, nutty nugget cereal

Instructions: Lay tortilla on a plate. Spread peanut butter evenly on the tortilla. Sprinkle cereal over peanut butter.
Peel and place banana on the tortilla and roll the tortilla. Drizzle maple syrup or honey on top.
(Optional: garnish with more cereal on top)

Carrot Patches

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:
5-10 Peeled baby carrots (depending on container size)
1 cup hummus or low fat ranch dressing
A few curley parsley sprigs

Instructions: Spoon hummus or ranch dip into a bowl or cup, filling aprox. 3/4 of the way. Use toothpick to create a small hole on the tops of each carrot, and stick a small sprig of parsley inside (to act as a carrot leaf). Arrange finished carrots into dip and serve.



Monkey Mix
Preparation time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups dried bananas
1 cup each dried papaya and dried mango
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup coconut
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (a tasty substitute for bugs!)

Instructions: Combine ingredients, and enjoy!

Edible Hangman
This “snacktivity” makes eating vegetables fun!

Ingredients:
Crackers
Squirtable cheese or similar condiment
Celery
Cherry tomatoes
Carrots
Bell peppers

Instructions:
Make this classic game delicious by having kids write their letter guesses on crackers using squirtable cheese or a similar condiment. Veggies make up the hangman — a celery body, cherry tomato head, carrot arms, and bell-pepper legs. After each round, players eat their words — and their veggies.

Guiltless Sweet Cones

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:
sliced banana
cubed mandarin oranges
1/4 cup miniature marshmallows or chocolate chips
pineapple chunks
sliced strawberries
3/4 cup low-fat lemon yogurt

Instructions: Chop, slice, and prepare the fruit. Toss together with marshmellows or chocolate chips. Spoon mixed ingredients into the empty cone and drizzle with lemon yogurt.

IF YOU KNOW OF A DELICIOUS AND NUTRICIOUS SNACK, LET US KNOW BY POSTING THE RECIPE IN THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW!