A “blondie” might not seem like a healthy snack, but when you take a peek at these ingredients, you may be surprised to see how nutrient dense, yet decadent, they really are! This recipe makes a great snack for kids’ lunch boxes or a healthy dessert for the whole family to enjoy!

Chock full of nutrients, the star of this blondie is the nutty, buttery chickpeas. With both soluble and insoluble fibre they really pack a digestive punch. The soluble fibre, raffinose in chickpeas, gets broken down by the good bacteria in your gut – which means easier and more regular bowel movements. This is great news for all of us, but especially for kids returning to school, as the added stress and change in routine can often lead to constipation in children.

Sunflower seeds are the perfect pairing, providing plant-based protein and fat to keep energy up and blood sugar levels balanced. Sunflower seeds are also a great source of vitamin E, which helps keep hair, skin and nails looking good while protecting your cells from free radical damage. Unfortunately, approximately 60% of North American’s are not consuming adequate amounts of vitamin E daily. Emerging research suggests vitamin E may have a role in regulating allergic airway disease (like asthma)(1) , so adequate vitamin E consumption may be an important preventative in pediatric nutrition.

Lastly, coconut oil provides more healthy fats. The type of saturated fat in coconut oil, medium chain fatty acids, is shuttled to the liver to provide a quick and useable energy source. For adults, eating coconut oil regularly has been shown to support increased metabolism and help promote fat burning, as well as raise HDL (good) cholesterol, which lowers the risk of heart disease. In children, coconut oil provides fuel for the brain to help keep them focused during learning.

This blondie recipe combines good fats with fibre and protein all while keeping the sugars low! There’s just 1 tsp of maple syrup in each blondie making these a solid lunch box addition or a super after school snack and best of all they’re NUT FREE!!

They’re quick and easy to mix together in the food processor, and lining your pan with parchment will make clean up a snap! And because it is so easy to make your kids can make it with you.

1. Joan M. Cook-Millsand Christine A. McCary. Feb 3 2012. Isoforms of Vitamin E Differentially Regulate Inflammation. PMC3271790.

Do you ever have trouble convincing your kiddies to eat their vegetables? Do they turn their noses up at vegetables?

Then these muffins are your new best friend! They’ll help to get some greens into your kids’ diet.

Spinach was a superfood before superfoods were cool, providing too many health benefits to list. Most people have heard that spinach is good for the eyes, and muscles, but did you know it’s also good for your immune system? Spinach is an excellent source of Vitamin K which acts as a cofactor for some proteins used in immune response, including Natural Killer cells – the ones that help fight viruses.

Whole grain oats contain a soluble fibre called beta-glucan. This slowly digesting fibre also make you feel fuller, longer by delaying stomach emptying. Beta-glucan fibre only partially dissolves in the gut making a thick, gel like solution that is a friend to your good gut bacteria – and we all need as much immune support as we can find these days! For the adults in the house, oats can reduce LDL (bad cholesterol), reduce blood sugar, and may also improve insulin sensitivity.

Naturally sweetened with both dates and bananas, these muffins provide a solid dose of the essential mineral potassium. In one Canadian study potassium intakes were far below the “adequate Intake” level for all age groups. The European Respiratory Journal found that bananas could decrease wheezing and improve lung function in children with asthma, possibly due to their antioxidant and potassium content. What a simple way to support our respiratory system!

We understand busy families need something quick to prepare. If you’re feeling really keen add some eyes and a smile with a few stevia-sweetened chocolate chips before serving. You can now watch your kids eat their veggies while munching on this delicious Green Monster Muffin.