We love when we find interesting snacks that bring a little variety to our day (and taste buds)! If you do too, check out From The Ground Up’s Butternut Squash Pretzels, a familiar snack with a plant-based twist. Your whole family will love the blend of sweet and savory flavors, kids and adults alike! These pretzels are made from a blend of nutritious veggies, including butternut squash, pumpkin, cauliflower, carrot, spinach, broccoli, and more! They’re also gluten-free, vegan, Kosher, and non-GMO. From The Ground Up believes in making snacks that taste good but still deliver those essential nutrients your kids need – what more could you ask for from a snack?

From the Mouth of a Kid:

These pretzels are kind of sweet!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

My entire family goes crazy for these Butternut Squash Pretzels! They’re the same, yummy snack we rely on for an after-school pick-me-up, but with the added of bonus of being made with lots of nutritious veggies. My kids don’t even notice the added vegetables – they just like the crunch and great flavor! I love that they’re low in sugar because our kids love sweet treats, so it can be a struggle to satisfy their cravings with something that’s not full of sugar. The fact that they’re gluten-free and vegan makes it an easy snack to pack in their lunchboxes and bring to school to share with their friends, some of whom have food allergies. These are now a staple in our pantry – my wife and I love them just as much as the kids do!

Flavorful Features:

From the Ground Up makes other delicious snacks that your family is sure to love:

• Butternut Squash crackers
• Cauliflower crackers
• Cauliflower pretzels
• Cauliflower tortilla chips
• and much more!

The Icing on the Cake:

If you have a picky eater who doesn’t love eating their veggies, From the Ground Up’s Butternut Squash Pretzels are a great way to help. They boast the same, familiar look and feel of pretzels, but with a yummy sweet and salty flavor and added nutrients from the veggies.

Time to Eat?!

Grab a handful of these butternut squash pretzels when you want to balance out a meal with some vegetables, or just add an extra nutritious punch to an already veggie-packed meal. 

Good to Go?

Throw some pretzels into a baggie or to-go container to add some crunch to your child’s lunchbox!

Mix it Up!

These pretzels are a great substitute for croutons in your favorite salad!

www.fromthegroundupsnacks.com

www.facebook.com/FromTheGroundUpSnacks

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.

Who doesn’t love feeding their kids snacks made with REAL ingredients? We think food should taste good AND make you feel good too! That’s why we love The Good Crisp Company; their line of potato crisps is made with simple, clean ingredients that your whole family will love! Your kids will love the variety of flavors and their tubes that are the perfect size for little hands. The Good Crisp Company’s resealable snack-size containers are a no-brainer addition to school lunches. Not to mention, all of their chips are gluten-free and made without any artificial colors or flavors! What’s not to love?

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I like these crunchy chips!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

With so many kids and therefore many different food preferences in our house, it can be hard to find one snack that everyone enjoys. I’m so happy I found The Good Crisp Company! I love the clean ingredients while my kids love the flavors and crunch – and there’s a flavor for everybody! The snack-size containers are just perfect to add to their lunchboxes, and I always keep some stashed in our car for an emergency snack when we’re on the go!

Flavorful Features:

The Good Crisp Company’s potato crisps come in five delicious flavors:

• Classic Original
• Outback BBQ
• Sea Salt & Vinegar
• Aged White Cheddar
• Sour Cream & Onion

The Icing on the Cake:

The Good Crisp Company uses real ingredients to make their chips! They are gluten-free, non-GMO, and made without any artificial colors or flavors. Their product and manufacturing facility are free from the following allergens: egg, wheat and gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish, and sesame seeds. 

Time to Eat?!

When you’re in the mood for a savory, crunchy snack, reach for The Good Crisp Company chips!

Good to Go?

The Good Crisp Company makes mini, 1.6 ounce containers in the Classic Original and Sour Cream & Onion flavors that are a great emergency snack on the go. It’s just enough so that mom or dad can snag a few chips after your little one has had their share!

Mix it Up!

The Creative Kitchen team loves a nostalgic moment and enjoys putting chips in their sandwich for a crunch!

www.thegoodcrispcompany.com

www.facebook.com/thegoodcrispcompany

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 new way to eat cheese? Check out Cheddar Moon Cheese – a crunchy, cheesy snack with all the flavor and nutrition of real cheese…because it IS cheese! Moon Cheese removes the moisture from cheddar cheese (just like the dehydrated food that astronauts eat!) to give you this delicious, portable treat perfect for on-the-go snacking! Parents will love that it’s 100% natural, high in calcium and protein, as well as its long shelf life!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

It’s so crunchy and COOOOOOOOL because it’s like astronaut food!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

Moon Cheese is great! It’s a perfect snack for my kids, who love crunchy chips and snacks but who don’t always love eating cheese. We all love the Cheddar flavor best! I love the simple ingredient list and that the bag is re-sealable – I can take it with me on the go, and save whatever’s left for later! Another thing I love about Moon Cheese is the high protein and calcium – two things I’m always trying to get my kids to have more of.

Flavorful Features:

Moon Cheese comes in these other yummy, cheesy flavors:

• Gouda
• Mozzarella
• Pepper Jack

The Icing on the Cake:

The benefits to Moon Cheese are out of this world!

• High in protein
• All-natural
• Gluten-free
• Excellent source of calcium

Time to Eat?!

Cheddar Moon Cheese can be enjoyed at any time of the day, but is especially great during snack time!

Good to Go?

Moon Cheese makes a perfect on-the-go snack because it comes in a resealable package! It’s perfect to slip into my purse as we’re headed out the door.

Mix it Up!

Try using Cheddar Moon Cheese as a topping for soups or replacement for croutons in salads!

www.mooncheese.com

www.facebook.com/mooncheesesnacks/

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.

Roast them over a campfire, add them into hot chocolate and classic crispy treats, or just eat them right from the bag…yes, we’re talking about MARSHMALLOWS! Your beloved light and fluffy treat has been given a makeover by Chicago Vegan Foods; Dandies Marshmallows are made with all-natural ingredients, are the first ever non-GMO verified marshmallow…and as it says in the name, they’re vegan! Chicago Vegan Foods is a family-owned company with a passion for making delicious, cruelty-free products.

The Creative Kitchen is happy to have Chicago Vegan Foods as a sponsor for our Whole Foods Market Summer Cooking Camps!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I love making s’mores with mom in the summer!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

We love that Dandies doesn’t have any unnecessary or unnatural ingredients! It makes marshmallows a less guilty pleasure!

Flavorful Features:

Dandies Marshmallows come in a variety of fun flavors:

• Vanilla
• Mini Vanilla
• Pumpkin
• Peppermint

The Icing on the Cake:

Dandies Marshmallows are made with all natural ingredients and boast a number of other great qualities:

• Gelatin free (100% vegan)
• Free from most common allergens (peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, wheat, fish, shellfish, and corn)
• Gluten free
• Contains no corn syrup
• Made in a dedicated vegan facility

Time to Eat?!

Pop a couple of Dandies Marshmallows when you want a sweet treat!

Good to Go?

Want some marshmallows on the go? Put them in a resealable bag or container and bring them with you wherever your day takes you!

Mix it Up!

Add some marshmallows to your next batch of homemade trail mix! Or, use them in place of croutons in your favorite sweet soup! Check out these fun recipes from Chicago Vegan Foods!

http://chicagoveganfoods.com/

https://www.facebook.com/chicagoveganfoods

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.

Bare Snacks bakes what nature makes, and adds minimal ingredients to create a simple but GOOD snacking experience! Unlike other banana chips, theirs are baked without oil, giving you the goodness of fruit and the crunch that you crave! With a maximum of two ingredients, Bare Snacks delivers BIG flavor with their Banana Chips. Bare operates as a carbon-neutral company and supports local food and environmental organizations!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I like to eat crunchy banana chips for a snack!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

Bare Banana Chips are a great way to get my kids to eat more fruit, but it also satisfies their craving for something crunchy like chips! This might be the most minimal list of ingredients I’ve ever seen! It’s a potassium-packed snack that’s great for after sports!

Flavorful Features:

Bare Banana Chips come in three flavors:

• Simply Banana
• Cinnamon
• Cocoa

Check our their other products (coconut chips and apple chips) here!

The Icing on the Cake:

Bare Banana Chips are gluten-free, oil-free, fat-free, non-GMO verified, a good source of fiber, and have no added sugar or preservatives!

Time to Eat?!

Bananas are great anytime of day! Have some Bare Banana Chips at breakfast for an extra crunch, as a sweet finish to any meal, or as an afternoon snack!

Good to Go?

With 2.5 servings per bag, Bare Banana Chips are great to take on the go with the family as an emergency snack when the kids get hungry!

Mix it Up!

Make a mini banana chip sandwich by putting your favorite nut or seed butter in between two chips! Crunchy AND creamy!

http://www.baresnacks.com/

https://www.facebook.com/baresnacks/

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.

Not all eggs are created equal. The Creative Kitchen loves Organic Valley cage free eggs because we know their chickens are the happiest and healthiest, which results in better quality eggs for you and your family. With access to organic pastures, their chickens spend their days eating from the earth and being cared for by Organic Valley farmers. Ready for more good news? Organic Valley eggs are GMO-free and have no antibiotics, synthetic hormones, or toxic pesticides.

The Creative Kitchen is excited to feature Organic Valley eggs in our Whole Foods classes this week, where we’ll be making this Organic Mama Veggie Frittata!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

Mommy says the chickens that made these eggs are happy and healthy! They make yummy eggs for me to eat.

From the Eyes of a Parent:

Choosing organic products for my family is very important to me, and I feel good about choosing Organic Valley eggs because there’s no antibiotics or synthetic hormones. I also like the Organic Valley egg whites in a carton for my omelets; I don’t feel wasteful throwing away yolks and it’s so easy to just pour into the pan.

The Icing on the Cake:

Not getting enough Omega-3 fatty acids? Organic Valley’s Omega-3 Eggs provide more than twice as many omega-3 fatty acids as regular eggs – just by feeding their chickens flax seeds.

Time to Eat?!

Eggs are a great way to start your day, but can also be incorporated into lunch and dinner, or your post-workout snack.

Mix it Up!

Try making a Buddha bowl for dinner tonight with your choice of grain, vegetables, protein, and top it off with a poached egg and voila! You’ve got a well-rounded, nutritious AND delicious meal!

https://www.organicvalley.coop

https://www.facebook.com/OrganicValley/

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 Creative Kitchen is always searching for tasty, alternative treats just like Pamela’s Oat Double Chocolate Whenever Bars! These bars are sweet, soft and taste like cookies; a snack that the whole family will love.  Made with organic chocolate, gluten-free oats, chia seeds and lightly sweetened with agave and coconut sugar, these bars are a rich treat whenever you want one. Organic coconut sugar is lower on the glycemic index than regular refined sugar which is great for diabetics or families looking to reduce their sugar intake.  

From the Mouth of a Kid:

It tastes like a chocolate chocolate chip cookie!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

I love how this bar contains natural ingredients that are more nutritious than most snack bars. This bar is great for my kids and their allergies since it is both gluten-free and dairy-free! Pamela’s Whenever Bars are a great addition to my rotation of snacks for my family.

Flavorful Features:

Pamela’s Whenever Bars come in a variety of great flavors!

-Oat Double Chocolate

-Oat Blueberry Lemon

-Oat Chocolate Chip

-Oat Cranberry Almond

-Oat Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

-Oat Raisin Walnut Spice

The Icing on the Cake:

Pamela’s Whenever Bars are great for families with allergies. They’re gluten-free and dairy-free.

Time to Eat?!

These bars are great ‘whenever’! Enjoy this as a lunchtime snack or an after dinner treat. Have it as an after-school snack with a side of milk!

Good to Go?

Pamela’s Oat Double Chocolate Whenever Bars come individually wrapped, so they’re perfect to drop in your bag or into your child’s lunchbox.

Mix it Up!

Use this bar as the base of a crust next time you’re baking! You can easily crumble up the bars and add a bit of melted coconut oil to help the crumbles stay together. 

www.pamelasproducts.com

https://www.facebook.com/pamelasproducts

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.

If you like crunchy snacks as much as we do, then you’re going to love these Kale Poppers! Cal-Snax is a brand with a philosophy we believe in. All of their products have three simple principles: they must taste great, they have to be convenient, and they must be better for you. Cal-Snax prides themselves on producing innovative vegetable-based snacks that are never fried and always delicious! Their Kale Poppers are full of flavor and have a fun leaf shape. Plus, each bag of Kale Poppers provides you with 4 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber. With Cal-Snax’s Kale Poppers moms can feel confident that their children are snacking well!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I love their fun shape and how crunchy they are!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

Sometimes I find it challenging to get my kids to eat enough of their greens, so it’s great that my kids can get the nutrients of kale in a crunchy and convenient snack. With Kale Poppers, now at least I know they are getting good nutrients like fiber, iron, and vitamin K. And I love that these are made with ingredients I recognize, real kale, lentils and rice, so I know this product is a great wholesome snack for my kids (and me!) that I can trust!

Flavorful Features:

Kale Poppers come in three delicious flavors:
– Sea Salt
– Creamy Ranch
– Tangy Smokey Barbecue

The Icing on the Cake:

Kale Poppers are gluten free and non-GMO verified. They also have no cholesterol or trans-fat and contain no soy, MSG, nuts, or dairy.

Time to Eat?!

Kale Poppers are perfect to include in your child’s lunch box!

Good to Go?

Yes! A bag of Kale Poppers is the perfect size for convenient on-the-go snacking.

Mix it Up!

Dip Kale Poppers in hummus or another bean spread for added protein and tastiness!

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.

Loacker’s Quadratini Cocoa and Milk Bite Size Wafers  are a family favorite treat. Loacker combines quality dark cocoa with a light cream filling for an irresistible cube-shaped crunchy pleasure that the whole family will love! Not only are they delicious but they are made with wholesome ingredients like coconut oil which provides your body with healthy fats and wheat flour, which may help in lowering cholesterol levels.

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I really like the chocolate on the outside.

From the Eyes of a Parent:

Loacker’s Cocoa and Milk Bite Size Wafers are a great treat for my family. They are delicious and made with all natural ingredients. I don’t have to worry that there are any harmful chemicals or preservatives that may harm my little ones. I also love that the cubes are small and can be shared and portioned easily.

Flavorful Features:

There are many varieties of Quadratini wafers, each made with natural and high quality ingredients;
• Napolitaner
• Chocolate
• Dark chocolate
• Lemon
• Coconut
• Vanilla
• Blackcurrant
• Cappuccino
• Tiramisu
• Espresso
• Raspberry-yoghurt
• Cocoa and Milk

Good to Go?

Pack a bag of these crunchy cubes on a family trip or add a handful to your child’s lunchbox for a delicious snack on-the-go!

Mix it Up!

Try a spin on trail mix. Add Quadratini wafers to a bag of pretzels, raisins and hazelnuts. Throw a handful of cubes into your ice cream sundae or yogurt parfait for an irresistible crunchy addition to your favorite summer snacks! Or, try freezing these cubes on their own for a refreshing, creamy summer desert.

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 new twist on the classic chip? Try Simply7’s Quinoa Sea Salt Chips! With a unique nutty flavor and packed with fiber which studies have shown to lower cholesterol and keep blood sugar low, these chips are a healthful snack your whole family will enjoy. Plus, they are gluten-free, nut-free, vegan, non-GMO, and have no artificial ingredients.

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I like how crunchy these chips are.

From the Eyes of a Parent:

These chips are my go-to snack to pack in lunch boxes, serve with dip as an appetizer, and bring to the beach or on family trips. Since they are nut free, gluten free, and vegan, they are virtually safe for school and kids parties. My kids love the taste and I love the ingredients – it’s a win, win!

Flavorful Features:

Simply7 Quinoa chips come in many different flavors, just like conventional chips.
• Sea salt and vinegar
• Barbeque
• Cheddar
• Sour Cream and Onion

Time to Eat?!

Enjoy Simply7’s chips with your lunch, after school, or at a party as a crunchy accompaniment to a yummy dip!

Good to Go?

Simply7’s Quinoa Sea Salt chips come in a convenient bag that’s perfect in your child’s lunchbox or your bag, for a quick and tasty snack.

Mix it Up!

Try serving these chips on top of a bowl of chili or dipping them in melted chocolate and letting them set in your fridge for a fun, healthful take on chocolate covered chips.

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.