Snacks

We do not partake in processed foods.  Our children cannot eat any grains.  We do not consume sugar or additives of any sort.  For the most part, I have adjusted and can easily create meals around our diet.  The problem is always snacks!  With school coming closer, I am going to great lengths to create lunch box friendly snacks that my kids won't be embarrassed to eat at school.  There's always fruit, but they get tired of it and quite frankly, I don't want them constantly eating sweet things for snack.  So far, our newest additions to the snack rotation for school this year are roasted chick peas (they are crunchy) and crispy cheese chips.

Roasted Chick Peas:
soak 2 cups chick peas in water with a tablespoon of sea salt over night
drain chick peas
toss them with avocado oil until lightly coated (you can substitute any oil)
sprinkle to taste (I find it's best to be quite generous with the seasonings) with sea salt and whatever seasonings appeal to you -  we like garlic powder, paprika, chili powder (tossing in tamari is good, too)
bake in a single layer in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for about an hour
cool completely and store in air tight container

(the timing of these can be tricky - they will still feel a bit soft in the middle when they're hot.  after they cool, they will be crunchy.  If you wait for them to be crunchy all the way through, upon cooling they will break  your teeth: )

Crispy Cheese Chips:
preheat oven to 350 degrees
grate mild cheddar cheese
place in little piles on a pizza stone and sprinkle with dried basil and garlic powder (plains is fine, too)
bake for 10 - 15 mins
cool on paper towels
store in air tight container

Anyone else have any recipes to share?  I'm always on the lookout for new snacks!