The kids are back in school and that means back to hectic morning routines and crazy after-school schedules. With all the excitement during the back-to-school season, it can be hard to prepare healthful breakfasts and snacks for your kids. Recently, Cricket shared with NY1 parenting correspondent, Shelley Goldberg, her tips and tricks for quick and easy breakfasts and snacks to give your kids a great start to the school year. Click below to view the video and continue reading for the delicious and nutritious recipes by Cricket and The Creative Kitchen team!

Breakfast Cupcakes

Breakfast cupcakes are a great go-to for busy weekday mornings. They can be made over the weekend and individually wrapped for a perfectly portioned, instant breakfast – just reheat and serve! This recipe is also great for your leftover vegetables. No need to go out and buy the exact ones featured in the recipe, just use whatever you have on hand for a quick and simple meal!

Click here to view the recipe! (This recipe is for a Breakfast Cake. To make Breakfast Cupcakes, bake them in a muffin tin instead of a skillet!)
 
 

Math Time Munchies Trail Mix 

Between picking kids up from school and driving them to football games or dance rehearsal, there is little time for healthful afternoon snacks. Our Math Time Munchies Trail Mix is great for on-the-go snacking and can be customized to your kids’ allergies and tastes! Making this Trail Mix with your kids is a great way to practice their math skills – practice counting while setting out the ingredients, fractions while measuring, and addition while combining the ingredients together!

Click here to view the recipe!
 
 

Polka Dot Pudding

Polka Dot Pudding is a sweet treat that’s yummy enough to have for dessert and healthful enough to have for breakfast or as a snack! Save time in the morning or after school by preparing this creamy, fruit-filled rice pudding ahead of time. Simply combine the cooked rice and coconut milk in a bowl and refrigerate. Then top with your kids’ favorite fruits when you’re ready to serve!

View the recipe below!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cooked rice (preferably Asian sticky rice or brown rice)
• 1 mango
• 2 bananas
• 2 kiwis
• 12 to 15 strawberries
• 1 14-oz. can coconut milk
• 1 cup dried shredded coconut (optional and to taste)
• Optional: 2 tablespoons sugar, honey, or agave (or to taste)

Directions:

1. Put the cooked rice into a medium mixing bowl.
2. Peel and dice the mango, bananas, and kiwi and add them to the bowl of rice.
3. Remove the stems from the strawberries, cut the fruit into small pieces, and add to the bowl.
4. Stir the coconut milk into the bowl and mix well.
5. If using, add the sugar, honey, or agave to the bowl and stir together.
6. At this point, either add the dried shredded coconut to the bowl and stir together, or the shredded coconut may be added to the top of the pudding as a garnish.

Serves 8 to 10

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 fun summertime breakfast on the go?! Our friends at iVillage have created this recipe for an on the go breakfast staple that is simple to assemble, and nutrient packed! And it has surprise fun factor-built in….it’s a popsicle! 

Breakfast of Champions

A popsicle for breakfast? Yes, when the popsicle is this healthy, frozen-and-dipped banana! Grab your usual go-to breakfast grub–bananas, yogurt and Cheerios–then halve each banana and place a popsicle stick through the thick end. Dip in your favorite creamy yogurt, roll in Cheerios and freeze overnight. Breakfast to go!

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.

With winter hibernation over and lively spring upon us, many parents worry that their busy little bees aren’t getting enough protein to sustain all of that buzzing about! Use this helpful tip for calculating your child’s necessary protein intake from our friends at Cooking Light and choose one of their protein packed recipes for the whole family to enjoy!

How much protein?!

Our bodies need protein for muscle growth and repair, but just how much do our bodies need? Well, the requirements are based on weight and come from the Institute of Medicine. Here’s how they break down. The requirements are the same for girls and boys through age 13.