Enjoy a birthday snack all year round with Birthday Cake Grahamz from Zee Zees. This sweet treat is not only perfect for snack time, but it can be eaten at breakfast or lunch when paired with the right items. The whole grain crunchy crisps are sure to make everyone feel as if today is their birthday!

by Cricket Azima, 2023

From the Mouth of a Kid:

Zee Zees are my favorite! They make me feel like I’m at a birthday party.

From the Eyes of a Parent:

The Birthday Cake Grahamz are a lifesaver! The kids love dipping them, and we love serving them. Filled with whole grains and with 2g of protein, this snack is a fan favorite in my house.

Flavorful Features:

Zee Zees Grahamz come in these other fun flavors:

• Original
• French Toast
• Strawberry

The Icing on the Cake:

Worried about allergens? The Birthday Cake Grahamz are made in a nut-free facility, so they are perfectly safe for those with a nut allergy. A great worry-free snack.

Mix it Up!

Transform your Birthday Cake Grahamz into a yummy yogurt parfait. Layer the grahamz with your favorite yogurt and top it off with delicious fruit.

www.zeezees.com

www.facebook.com/zeezeesfoods

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

The Sambucol Blackberry Elderberry Gummies are a sweet, vegan gummy vitamin meant to provide the body with extra immune support. Filled with 1.7g of elderberry and accompanied by zinc and vitamin C. The gummies are sure to make you and your child smile while supporting your immune system every day.

by Cricket Azima, 2023

From the Mouth of a Kid:

These gummies smell so good and taste even better!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

The Elderberry Gummies are the best at supporting my family’s immune system. Filled with vitamin C and zinc, the gummies are a positive addition to my children’s day. The taste is delicious, and the benefits are completely worth it!

The Icing on the Cake:

Vegan, nut-free, as well as free of artificial colors and preservatives. You know exactly what you are getting with the Black Elderberry Gummies, the zinc and vitamin C-filled gummy.

www.sambucolusa.com

www.facebook.com/sambucol

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Beef up your lunchboxes with these delectable treats and see where convenience meats delicious! Vermont Smoke & Cure’s BBQ Beef Sticks are easy to take with you on the go and are the perfect protein-packed snack for when you need something filling to keep you and your family satisfied between meals. They’re gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and are made without preservatives and sodium nitrate!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I love when I get these beef sticks in my lunchbox!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

Spicing up your child’s lunchbox when you’re super busy is so convenient with these BBQ Beef Sticks from Vermont Smoke & Cure! The beef is raised with no added hormones or antibiotics, and are vegetarian fed, so I feel much more comfortable sharing them with my kids. It’s hard to find a high-protein snack that my kids like, so I’m so happy I found these; I even love them too! They’re a great, filling snack to pack in our bags for travel, or even busy days when we’re out for a long time.

Flavorful Features:

Check out these other awesome meat sticks from Vermont Smoke & Cure:

• Grass-Fed Jalapeño Lime Beef

• Grass-Fed Maple Teriyaki Beef

• Original Beef & Pork

• Uncured Pepperoni Turkey

• Chipotle Beef & Pork

• Uncured Bacon Pork

• Ancho Pepper Turkey

• Honey Mustard Turkey

• Spicy Italian Pork

The Icing on the Cake:

Vermont Smoke & Cure’s beef is raised without antibiotics and added hormones, and is vegetarian fed! This is a gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free snack that’s high in protein (and flavor!).

Time to Eat?!

Vermont Smoke & Cure’s BBQ Beef Sticks are the perfect quick bite to nibble on when you’re hungry for a savory snack in between meals or after school…it can be a great addition to lunch, too, for a boost of protein!

Good to Go?

These individually-packaged meat sticks are perfect to slip into your purse or backpacks! There’s even mini-sized ones for little foodies who don’t want the full size!

Mix it Up!

Get a balanced snack by complementing these beef sticks with cheese sticks or a handful of veggies. Get creative and stack cut pieces of the beef and cheese sticks on coffee stirrers to make mini skewers!

www.vermontsmokeandcure.com/

www.facebook.com/VTSmoke/

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Are you looking for a cheesy, crunchy, not-full-of-terrible-ingredients snack that you and your kids enjoy? Introducing Snikiddy Mac and Cheese Baked Puffs! This simple yet DELICIOUS snack is certified gluten-free and USDA organic, nut-free, non-GMO, vegetarian, and has no hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup! Did we mention how cheesy and delicious these puffs are? With a minimal, wholesome ingredient list and mouthwatering taste, these Snikiddy Mac and Cheese Baked Puffs are sure to become a family favorite!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I love mac and cheese! These puffs are crunchy and yummy!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

My family loves to snack. I try to keep healthful products in the house, but it’s sometimes hard to find great-tasting products that have wholesome ingredients. I found Snikiddy’s Mac and Cheese Baked Puffs and instantly fell in love! They are delicious, my kids love them, and I love the ingredient list. The individual snack pack bags are perfect to throw in my kids’ lunchboxes and backpacks, or to take with us in the car on road trips! I love the organic ingredients and my kids love the taste; it’s a win-win!

Flavorful Features:

Snikiddy also makes Grilled Cheese Baked Puffs, as well as three different flavors or Baked Fries: Cheddar, Bold Buffalo, and Hot & Spicy.

The Icing on the Cake:

Snikiddy focuses on using wholesome ingredients and bold flavors in their products. There’s no hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup, and they’re certified gluten-free, USDA organic, nut-free, and non-GMO. Their Mac and Cheese Baked Puffs are a delicious and healthful choice for a snack for your family!

Time to Eat?!

Snikiddy Mac and Cheese Baked Puffs are a delectable addition to kids’ lunches, and a yummy after-school snack!

Good to Go?

The 0.75 oz snack pack bags are great for an easy addition to lunchboxes and backpacks, even purses for on-the-go snacking whenever you need it!

Mix it Up!

Try crushing up these Mac and Cheese Baked Puffs and adding to your breadcrumb mixture the next time you make chicken! Instant cheesy deliciousness!

www.snikiddy.com

www.facebook.com/Snikiddy/

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Finding allergy-friendly snacks can be difficult, but Made Good is here to make it easier with their delicious Chocolate Banana Granola Minis! Their granola is made in a facility free from the most common allergens, including nuts, soy, sesame, gluten, dairy, eggs, and fish. These delicious clusters are also made with a full serving of vegetables, so parents can feel great knowing these snacks are helping their kids get an extra boost of vital nutrients. Kids will love the delicious banana flavor with hints of dark chocolate, as well as the fun, bite-sized shape!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I like the chocolatey banana flavor! They’re fun to eat!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

These are the perfect snack to pack in my kids’ backpacks and lunchboxes for school. They are free from most allergens, and have a whole serving of vegetables, which is sometimes hard to get my kids to eat regularly! My kids love the fun size, perfect for little hands, and the banana flavor…not to mention the hint of chocolate. I love that there’s only 5 grams of sugar per serving! Theses granola bites are super convenient for on-the-go snacking; our whole family loves them!

Flavorful Features:

Check out Made Good’s other yummy flavors of their Granola Minis:

• Mixed Berry
• Apple Cinnamon
• Chocolate Chip
• Strawberry

The Icing on the Cake:

Made Good Granola Minis boast a number of delicious qualities:

• Nut-free
• Contain a full serving of vegetables
• Certified gluten-free
• Allergy friendly: free from the most common allergens (soy, peanut, tree nut, dairy, egg, gluten, sesame, etc)
• USDA Organic
• Certified Vegan
• Non-GMO project certified

Time to Eat?!

Made Good Granola Bites are the perfect snack for any time of day, especially as a mid-day school snack or after-school treat!

Good to Go?

Made Good Granola Bites come in perfectly portioned packets that are easy to throw into a backpack, lunchbox, or purse!

Mix it Up!

For an extra boost of protein, dip your Granola Minis in your favorite nut butter, or sunflower seed butter!

www.madegoodfoods.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Made-Good/495089187247048

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Struggling to find a good milk alternative for a child who is nut-free, soy-free, and/or dairy-free? Good Karma has a new solution out on the market: flaxmilk. Their new Unsweetened Vanilla Flaxmilk + Protein flavor has the same amount of protein per serving as dairy milk and has less calories and more nutrients per serving! Here at The Creative Kitchen we cannot get enough of this product!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I can’t wait to finish my cereal in the morning! I just want to get to the milk so bad!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

Good Karma Unsweetened Vanilla + Protein Flaxmilk is a go-to for me and my family in the morning! It’s a great non-dairy alternative for children with a nut or soy allergy and I do not have to make up for protein in other parts of their diet! Also, flaxmilk is rich in omega-3 which is great because it is essential to our health and it is not produced by our bodies. This product is especially great for pregnant moms since omega-3’s play a role in early development.

Flavorful Features:

Good Karma has many different options and flavors for their flaxmilk:

The Icing on the Cake:

Benefits to switching to Good Karma Unsweetened Vanilla Flaxmilk + Protein includes:

Time to Eat?!

Great for breakfast and also to pack away for lunch!

Mix it Up!

Good Karma Unsweetened Vanilla + Protein Flaxmilk is great to add into overnight oats! This will cut back sugar and increase the protein content than what is usually provided in a packet of instant oatmeal. Additionally, preparing breakfast the night before will save mom time in the morning, and overnight oats can be customized for each child so even our picky eaters will wake up to a meal that they are excited about! Check out Good Karma’s recipe for delicious Banana Sunflower Butter Overnight Oats here!

www.goodkarmafoods.com

www.facebook.com/goodkarmafoods

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

What’s chewy, chocolatey, and full of a whole lot of kindness? KIND kids Chewy Chocolate Chip bars! Made with 100% whole grains and no artificial flavors, parents can feel good about feeding this to their kids…who will love the chewy texture and chocolatey flavor. It’s everything you love about KIND bars, but in a perfectly portioned, kid-size bar that’s safe to send to school because it’s free of gluten and nuts! All KIND products are made with premium, nutritionally-dense ingredients that don’t have you sacrificing flavor or quality.

The Creative Kitchen is happy to have KIND as a sponsor for our Back to School Celebration at Lakeside at Prospect Park on August 18! Learn more here.

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I love this chewy bar! And it’s really chocolatey!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

KIND bars have always been a favorite of mine – they’re a high-quality, filling (and delicious) snack to have on hand in my purse. My kids love them too, but sometimes they can be too filling for their little tummies! That’s why I’m so excited about KIND kids bars; they’re the perfect size for my kids for a healthful and yummy snack! KIND uses the same premium ingredients to pack in a lot of flavor into these little bars. My kids love the Chewy Chocolate Chip flavor the best, and I love that there’s only 5 grams of sugar in them (how crazy is that?!)! What’s even better is that they’re nut free* so it’s safe to put these in my kids’ lunchboxes to bring to school, making it easy for me to give them a wholesome snack that they’ll really enjoy!

Flavorful Features:

KIND kids bars come in three different flavors:

• Chewy Chocolate Chip
• Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
• Chewy Honey Oat

The Icing on the Cake:

KIND kids Chewy Chocolate chip bars boast a number of impressive qualities:

• Made with 100% whole grains
• Made with gluten-free oats
• Kosher
• No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
• 0g trans fat
• 5g sugar or less
• No genetically engineered ingredients
• Nut free recipe *

Time to Eat?!

KIND kids Chewy Chocolate Chip bars are a great addition to lunchboxes, or a yummy after-school snack!

Good to Go?

These bars are individually packaged, making it easy to take on the go wherever: in a purse, lunchbox, or school bag!

Mix it Up!

Use your KIND kids Chewy Chocolate Chip bar to make banana popsicles! Cut up some bananas, smother them in your favorite nut or seed butter, and then roll in your crushed up KIND kids bar! Stick a popsicle in them and put them in the freezer for a delicious, frozen treat!

*excluding the Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip flavor

www.kindsnacks.com

www.facebook.com/KINDSnacks

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Here at The Creative Kitchen, we love finding nutritious and/or better-for-you alternatives to everyone’s favorite classic foods! So, when we heard about Banza Chickpea Pasta, we just knew we had to try it, and the results were unanimous: chickpeas make insanely delicious pasta! The most incredible thing about Banza Chickpea Pasta is that it looks, feels, and tastes like regular pasta, but it has double the protein, four times the fiber, and half the carbs of regular pasta!! With Banza, you can enjoy the taste of pasta, but with TONS of more nutrients! You won’t believe how tasty chickpeas can really be!

The Creative Kitchen is happy to have Banza as a sponsor for our Back to School Celebration at Lakeside at Prospect Park on August 18! Join us and try their Chickpea Pasta for yourself! Learn more about the event here.

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I love this pasta!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

My kids always love and crave pasta; it’s their favorite food to eat! However, pasta typically doesn’t have that many nutrients, so that’s why I am so glad I discovered Banza Chickpea Pasta! What a genius idea it was to make pasta out of chickpeas! Now, I can give my kids pasta whenever they want, while knowing that I’m giving them something that’s packed with protein and fiber! I use Banza to make mac and cheese, baked pasta dishes, and so much more! My family absolutely loves this pasta, and I love the fact that it’s gluten free, non-GMO, and made out of chickpeas!

Flavorful Features:

All of Banza’s pasta options are made out of chickpeas, and they come in different pasta shapes, such as elbows, shells, rigatoni, penne, rotini, wheels, cavatappi, linguine, spaghetti, angel hair, and ziti!

They also make ooey, gooey PACKAGED mac and cheese options!

The Icing on the Cake:

Because this pasta is made out of chickpeas, there are so many delicious benefits that come along with it, such as:

Time to Eat?!

Banza can be a great addition to lunchtime or dinner time!

Mix it Up!

Check out Banza’s website for awesome recipes, like their Rotini Pesto Pasta Salad!

www.eatbanza.com

https://www.facebook.com/EatBanza

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Looking for a snack that’s great tasting and really packs a punch for its size? Look no further because MadeGood has just what you need! Their Strawberry Granola Minis look small, but they’re packed with antioxidants and gluten free oats, which lower bad cholesterol. They’re also slow to digest, which will keep your kids fuller for longer! They also contain one whole serving of vegetables! That’s right, vegetables! If your kids aren’t the biggest fans of vegetables, have no fear, because all they’ll notice is the sweet, juicy strawberry flavor! MadeGood only uses the highest quality ingredients, like whole grain oats and dried fruit. If you want to feed your kids a better snack, choose MadeGood Strawberry Granola Minis because they’re organic, vegan, gluten free, and so much more!

The Creative Kitchen is happy to have MadeGood as a sponsor for our Back to School Celebration at Lakeside at Prospect Park on August 18. Click here to learn more about the event. Join us and taste the deliciousness for yourself!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

These are sweet and chewy, I love them!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

There are so many companies out there making quick and portable snacks for kids that are extremely unhealthy. I’m a parent who’s always in a rush, so it can be hard to resist buying things like chips and cookies, because they’re something I can just easily throw into my kid’s lunchboxes. However, when my friends told me about MadeGood’s Strawberry Granola Minis, my mind was blown! There’s actually a snack out there that’s truly made from natural ingredients, is easy to carry on-the-go, and tastes really good! Not only that, but they’re nut free, organic, vegan, non-GMO, and they have one whole serving of vegetables! The individual packages make it incredibly easy to send my kids to school with a perfectly portioned, delicious snack (plus they’re safe to send to school because they’re free of the most common allergens!). I even keep one in my purse for an emergency snack on the go!

Flavorful Features:

MadeGood Granola Minis come in other delicious flavors:

• Apple Cinnamon Granola Minis
• Chocolate Banana Granola Minis
• Chocolate Chip Granola Minis
• Mixed Berry Granola Minis

The Icing on the Cake:

These granola clusters are full of so many nutritional benefits such as:

Time to Eat?!

Enjoy MadeGood Strawberry Granola Minis at any time of the day, especially when your kids need a little boost of energy! Serve them at breakfast, in lunchboxes as a sweet treat, as a yummy after school snack, or dessert after dinner.

Good to Go?

MadeGood Granola Minis come in individual, portable packets that are easy to take with you on the go! They’re the perfect size to add to a lunchbox or backpack.

Mix it Up!

Try flattening MadeGood Strawberry Granola Minis and sticking them in an oven for a toasted cookie! Or, if you want some added protein, dip some Granola Minis in your favorite nut (or seed) butter!

www.madegoodfoods.com

https://www.facebook.com/madegoodfoods/

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Now that we’re in the full swing of summertime, we are stocking up on materials to make s’mores, a classic summer favorite! And now, with the help of Dandies Marshmallows, your kids can enjoy a better-for-you treat that still tastes like a classic, fluffy marshmallow. Not only are these marshmallows made with natural ingredients, but they’re free of high fructose corn syrup and gelatin, making them a delicious, vegan option for everyone. By choosing to use Dandies in your summer s’mores and other favorite recipes, you’re choosing a product that you can feel good about feeding to your kids!

The Creative Kitchen is happy to have Dandies as a sponsor for our Whole Foods Market Summer Cooking Camps! Come try Dandies Marshmallows for yourself at next week’s classes! Learn more at www.thecreativekitchen.com/calendar.

From the Mouth of a Kid:

These marshmallows are fun to squish and eat!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

Dandies really makes the perfect marshmallow for my kids because I like giving them all-natural foods with more health-conscious ingredients. My kids can still have fun and enjoy s’mores, and I can rest assured they are still eating in a wholesome fashion!

Flavorful Features:

Dandies Marshmallows come delicious flavors such as Vanilla, Mini Vanilla, Pumpkin, and Peppermint.

The Icing on the Cake:

Dandies Marshmallows are made with all-natural ingredients. They are free of gelatin (which makes them 100% vegan), the most common allergens (peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, wheat, fish, shellfish, and corn), gluten, and corn syrup! Dandies are also made in a vegan facility.

Time to Eat?!

These marshmallows are great as a little sweet treat whenever the kid’s sweet tooths are acting up! One or two is just enough!

Mix it Up!

For more ways to eat Dandies marshmallows, visit the Dandies website and click on their recipes page. Check out their recipe for Deluxe S’more Crispy Treats – a yummy summer treat to make with the kids!

www.dandiesmarshmallows.com

https://www.facebook.com/MyDandies?fref=ts

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.