Fruit popsicles!

So yesterday I came up with this genius idea of putting fresh cut up fruit on sticks for my kids. They loved them because I called them fruit popsicles or suckers. They totally ate it up and ate 2 each! What a great way to have our children eat fruit!

St. Patrick's Day Snack

The girls and I plan on making these today. You can make them much healthier by substituting whole wheat bread dough for the store bought tube dough. Either way, they look fun to make. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sweet Shamrocks

Here's a tasty new twist on the traditional St. Patrick's Day shamrock -- sweet green pretzels fashioned from canned refrigerated bread stick dough and coated with a sprinkling of colored sugar and cinnamon.

What you need:

Canned refrigerated bread stick dough (we used Pillsbury Original Breadsticks)
Colored sugar
Cinnamon

Step 1 Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat it with cooking spray.

Step 2 To create the clover shape, mold 3 sections of bread sticks into hearts and press them together as shown. Attach a small stem, decorate, bake according to the package directions, and serve them up to your lucky guests.

Tropical Popcorn

I haven't tried this but think it sounds yummers! I love simple ideas for healthy treats. FYI There are a lot of great recipes on Oprah's website right now.

Tropical Popcorn
Recipe created by Tyler Florence

Ingredients:
Makes 2 cups
· 1 bag plain, lightly salted, microwave popping corn
· 3 Tbsp. dried cranberries
· 3 Tbsp. dried pineapple
· 3 Tbsp. chopped dried mango
· 1/4 cup banana chips
· 3 Tbsp. shredded toasted coconut

Make popcorn following directions on the packet and microwave guidelines. In a large mixing bowl, combine popcorn and dried fruit and coconut and toss well to mix.

Sweet Potato Fries

Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Recipe created by Cat Cora

Ingredients:
Serves 4
· 1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes , peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips
· 1/4 cup olive oil
· 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
· 1/2 tsp. dried Italian herb seasoning

Preheat oven to 425°. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil coated with cooking spray.Spread the sweet potato strips out onto the baking sheet in a single layer, coat with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and spices, turning them over to evenly coat on all sides with oil and spices.Bake for 30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes with spatula. Serve warm.

I think it might also be fun to try it with brown sugar and butter or maybe cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg....hmmm I'll give it a try.