5 Wildly Energizing Snacks Perfect for a Busy Summer

These warm summer days in New England are short-lived and because of that, we appreciate how precious they are and try not to waste a second. Enjoying every moment of summer can mean lots of time spent outdoors at the beach, on the water, hiking, golfing and about any other way you can imagine to soak up some sunshine. Whatever you’re up to this summer being prepared to keep going with some tasty and energizing snacks made with frozen Wild Blueberries.

If you haven’t heard, Wild Blueberries are rich in health-promoting anthocyanins in their dark blue pigment. Anthocyanins are being studied and researchers are discovering their vast health benefits including enhancing memory in adults and boosting cognition and mood in children and teens. Wild Blueberries are also high in fiber and low in sugar.

We’ve selected five of our favorite energizing recipes made with delicious Wild Blueberries to fuel up the entire family. And if you get a chance to sit back and relax on one of these hot summer days, try a bowl of frozen Wild Blueberries slightly thawed. It’s a delicious and refreshing option that we love.

Happy summer!

To keep the “hangriness” at bay during a long day of celebration, have a number of on-the-go snacks on hand. Ditch the store-bought bars and make your own. It’s really easy and you can be certain they’ll be packed with the nutrition you need. Below are two options to try.


Wild Blueberry Energy Bars

On any adventure, be prepared for a cranky toddler, teen or beach buddy with these Wild Blueberry Energy bars by Danielle Omar, MS, RDN of Food Confidence.  You’ll want to make these ahead of time, so the icing has plenty of time to cool. The nutrient-rich oatmeal will keep bellies full, and the Wild Blueberries mixed with the chocolate offers a sweet surprise that will perk up your crew.

Wild Blueberry Energy Bars

No-Bake Wild Blueberry Energy Bars

If turning on the oven on a hot summer day is the last thing you want to do, don’t worry! Use your favorite protein powder and nut butter to load this recipe with energy and dates for sweetness. One of our favorite recipes is this Wild Blueberry Energy Bar. Filled with frozen Wild Blueberries, oats, honey, and other healthy ingredients, it will help keep you going no matter what activity is planned. Let them chill in the fridge for an hour before cutting and keep them cool until snack time!

Energy Boosting Wild Blueberry Smoothie

Start off a busy day with this energizing smoothie that will make everyone think you gave them dessert for breakfast. (Shhh! We wont’ tell them that there’s spinach in there.) You’ll love this #WildYourSmoothie combo created by Kara Lydon, RD, LDN, RYT of The Foodie Dietitian. The Wild Blueberries, banana, and dates keep it sweet without any added sugar. You can easily make this vegan by using your favorite alternative milk, like almond, cashew, or even coconut milk beverage.

Sparkling Wild Blueberry Lemonade

Everyone craves an ice-cold lemonade on a hot summer day. This Sparkling Wild Blueberry Lemonade is delicious and refreshing. It’s infused with sparkling water, coconut water, lemons, and our favorite ingredient– frozen Wild Blueberries! Study results reveal that the nutritional value of frozen fruits and vegetables are generally equal to – and in some cases better than – their fresh counterparts. Freezing also locks in the complex sweet and tart taste of Wild Blueberries. So, the high nutritional value is guaranteed to last whenever you decide to take Wild Blueberries out of the freezer!

Wild Blueberry Coconut Yogurt Pops

After a long day exploring the wilds of summer, the kids typically run into the house to raid the pantry for a snack. Nothing will satisfy their hungry bellies more that these Wild Blueberry Coconut Pops by Katie Morford MS, RD of Mom’s Kitchen Handbook. Made with yogurt, frozen Wild Blueberries, lemon juice, and maple syrup, you can turn the sweetness dial-up or down based on the yogurt you use. Now, name one kid who doesn’t love a popsicle. They’ll be screaming for more of this pretty, fro-yo popsicle treat.

6 Back to School Recipes Your Kids Will Love

For most of us, Labor Day means the end of white jeans and the start of Pumpkin Lattes. But for parents everywhere, it’s the return to the structured routine of school, sports and homework. So as we head back-to-school, we wanted to give all the moms and dads out there our favorite tips and recipes for keeping breakfast and lunch fun and delicious – even for the pickiest of eaters!

Breakfast

Eating a healthy nutritious breakfast is important for every kid. It provides them the fuel they need to be effective at school. Incorporate foods into your breakfast routine that will help your child do their best in the classroom. For example, research has shown that including Wild Blueberries in your kid’s diet can boost memory and concentration in elementary school aged kids. Even when the mornings get hectic, which we know they do, don’t skip breakfast.

Wild-Blueberry-Mini-Muffins

Plan ahead and have delicious breakfast items ready to grab and go. You can whip up a batch of these Wild Blueberry Mini Muffins from Lindsay Livingston of the Lean Green Bean in no time. The almond butter (or nut butter of your choice) and the yogurt helps these muffins stay nice and moist for days at a time and their small size fits perfectly in little hands, eager to eat on the go.

Wild-Blueberry-Oatmeal-Cups

Oatmeal is another healthy breakfast choice, but one often scoffed at by kiddos because of its texture. Keep things fun and fresh with this creative recipe from Sally Kuzemchak of Real Mom Nutrition. Her Gluten-Free Wild Blueberry & White Chocolate Oatmeal Cups are hearty and healthy, and the kids won’t even know they are eating oatmeal. The frozen Wild Blueberry and white chocolate combo is like eating dessert for breakfast. Plus, if you make them in muffin tins they’re easy to grab on the way out the door to catch the bus.

WB Smoothie 2

Smoothies are another healthy grab and go option for breakfast. You can pack them full of nutritious ingredients – even veggies – and serve them up in fun travel cups with colored straws. Try this Wild Blueberry and Kefir Breakfast Smoothie from Sally Kuzemchak. She uses frozen Wild Blueberries to help balance the tang of the kefir. And because Wild Blueberries have such a vivid hue, a handful of fresh, iron-rich baby spinach just disappears into the drink.

Lunch Box Ideas

Blueberry-Leather

Involve Kids in the Process: Sit down and make a lunch plan for the week so they’ll be excited about what they find in their lunch box everyday. However, getting lunches packed on time, never mind making them inspiring can be a challenge, but we have a few tricks up our sleeves to help you keep things fun. Show off your magic skills with these Wild Blueberry Fruit Leather roll-ups. From frozen Wild Blueberries to chewy, sweet fruit leather, your kids will actually be excited for lunchtime. These are great to make ahead for the entire week, and even more magical if you have some of those small hands helping you along the way to witness the transformation.

wild-blueberry-energy-bars

Making sure lunches include protein is so important to keep kids energized throughout the day. And while it can be tempting to buy energy bars from the grocery store, many are full of hidden sugars and unpronounceable ingredients. These Wild Blueberry Energy Bars will make sure your kids are full and ready for the rest of the school day – without all the added sugar! Make them with their favorite nut butter and vanilla or chocolate protein powder – they’ll be begging for this bar to be a part of lunchtime or even as an afterschool snack!

Afterschool Snack

Wild-Blueberry-Yogurt-Pops

Make it Fun: When the kids get home from school, they usually run directly to the kitchen and start poking around for a snack. Of course you want to make sure it’s something healthy, and also won’t spoil their appetite for dinner! These Wild Blueberry Yogurt Pops seem like an unlikely treat but with frozen Wild Blueberries, chia seeds, yogurt and some protein powder, they are a perfect energy boost for the afternoon. If you don’t’ have a popsicle mold handy, you can use ice cube trays and popsicle sticks or toothpicks.

Phew! That should get you to dinnertime. All of these recipes are kid-friendly but that doesn’t mean adults can’t enjoy them as well! You’ll be the envy of the office with those muffins and maybe even spread some nostalgia with the fruit leathers. They will keep you going until dinner is on the table! Need more ideas – we can help with that too! Check out ALL of our Wild Blueberry recipes.