Touchdown for Nutrition- INTRO

What is that age old saying?

“an apple a day keeps the doctor away”  

Well whether or not that’s true, it seems that despite the dramatic increase in whole food, all natural, non-processed ingredients Trend kids these days still prefer JUNK over a nice apple or box of raisins.

When I sat down with my fellow team mom’s for my son’s Jr. Mighty Might Pop Warner Football team and we discussed the after game snacks they shocked me by suggesting eliminating them completely.  Not only did they feel parents would struggle to afford providing snacks for 26 boys but they also showed concern that the majority of the snacks bought and brought in would be full of sugar and junk. Although this is our first year in the Pop Warner World I knew that the kids look forward to the after game snack, as the should.  The kids work SO hard during the game and I feel like the snack at the end serves as a reward/treat for all their hard work while secretly replenishing their body of the nutrients they need after running and working hard for so many hours.  How could we justify taking this away?? I had to come up with a plan.

I got on my computer right away and emailed the head of marketing at Whole Foods Encinitas (check out their Facebook page HERE).  She was SO accommodating and loved my idea.  Here is what I proposed to her:

I will be making After Game Snacks for TEN games. (maybe up to 15 depending on how well our team does in the season)

I set a budget for $10-15 per game. ($100-150 would then cover the entire cost of snacks)

I will be making enough snacks for 26 boys with a few extra.

I will be using ingredients only from Whole Foods Encinitas, not including some items I may have already had on supply in my own home already.

I will be creating fun, treat-like, healthy, all-natural snacks whenever possible… suggested ideas were Fruit Leather, Cereal Bars, Yogurt Dipped Pretzels, Banana Muffins with Cream Cheese Drizzle, Mini-Fruit Pastries, Apple Cinnamon Chips, Pudding Cups…

I will buy ingredients for one snack at a time, each week on Thursday or Friday when the store’s new sales/coupons come out.

** I am determined to prove to the kids that a lovely home made treat is SO much better than a candy bar and package of dorritos**

**I am also determined to prove to the parents that making nutritious, healthy, natural snacks are affordable, and simple to do**

Thanks to Whole Foods Encinitas I have a gift card in hand, recipes bookmarked on my computer and the determination to bring nutrition to the world of Pop Warner Football!

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