Favorite Easy Summer Snacks

The verdict is out on whether or not we'll be seeing the sun today, but it's fairly warm and feels nice, so I can deal. :) Yesterday was kind of gross and wet, but Saturday was gorgeous- we were outside all day, just the way it should be.

As the temps begin to climb, I'm thinking ahead to summer snacks, and I thought I'd share some our favorites. They're yummy and EASY, so a total win-win!

The only challenge with these homemade pops is waiting for them to be ready!! I try to remember to make some at night so they're good to go the next day. I know lots of people use paper cups with sticks, but I prefer our little pop molds. Here's what I do: combine one small container of flavored yogurt with equal parts plain greek yogurt, add some additional fruit, chopped up, and place into pop mold. No need to mix or blend, just stir by hand. They are SO good, and they feel like such a treat for breakfast on those super hot, muggy mornings. ;)

For a quick and easy afternoon pick me up, I dab some cottage cheese or cream cheese onto a wheat cracker and top with fruit. That's it! So simple but quite filling and yummy!

Of all our easy summer treats, this one is the most requested. The photo below shows chocolate graham crackers but I prefer the regular golden ones- break into halves and add a small dollop of yogurt, any kind you like. I use Yoplait or Stonyfield regular kinds. For some reason, greek yogurt just doesn't taste quite right with these treats, and it freezes differently so the texture seems off. Go figure. DO NOT PUSH the cracker top down, just place it on top of the yogurt, then pop them into freezer for a couple hours. Make sure they are flat in the freezer, too. So, so good! 

Easy No Bake Paleo Energy Bites Recipe

Well, it's Friday (hooray!) and it's snowing again (so not hooray). Levi is currently on a nap strike, which, for the record, is waaay better than the nursing strike we survived a couple weeks ago. But still. Ain't nobody got time for a nap strike because hello, I am the Mama and I've got lots of stuff to get done! ;)

Anyhoo.

I shared this recipe years ago but this one is so good it bears repeating. We can't get enough of these things around here. They're the perfect afternoon snack when you need a little pick me up... or mid-morning, as is the case right now..., and they satisfy my cravings for sweets but don't have tons of sugary junk in them. The kids love them, too!

Here's What You Need
1 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup ground flax seed
1/2 cup coconut (more or less, depending on your taste, but less keeps the calorie count down)
1/2 cup mini chocolate morsels
1 scant tsp vanilla
1/2 - 2/3 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup honey

 Here's What You Do
In a medium mixing bowl, stir together all ingredients until well combined. Just dump it all in there! Chill 20-30 minutes to make it easier to handle.

Once chilled -- if mixture is too sticky, chill for 10 more minutes; if too crumbly, you may need to add more peanut butter or honey to bind ingredients together -- then shape into balls. They're supposed to be stored in an airtight container in the fridge, but that has never applied to this family. They are g-o-n-e gone in twenty seconds flat! Enjoy!

This recipe is totally adaptable and allows for endless variations. We've added raisins, cinnamon, chopped almonds, dried cranberries...you name it, it goes in there! 

Yummy!
Hope you have a terrific weekend!

Adapted from this recipe.