These quick and easy quesadillas are great for after-school snacks, party foods or any time. They are super easy to make, in fact, my 10 year old created this recipe and has been making them for years for herself and her friends.

This recipe is so versatile and can be made in the oven, microwave or skillet. If you’re not a salsa fan, season the meat with your favorite spices and add some of these items:

• Mushrooms
• Tomatoes
• Green Onions
• Black Olives
• Avocado

Ingredients

2 (10 inch) flour tortilla
1 tsp. cooking oil
1 small can of pre-cooked chicken, drained
½ cup salsa
½ cup cheese

Preparation:

In a small bowl, add chicken. If chicken chunks are large, use a fork to break them into smaller pieces.

Next add the salsa & mix until blended.

In a skillet, over low- medium heat, add oil. Once oil is hot, add one tortilla.

Using a spoon, add the chicken filling spreading it to within ½ inch of edge.

Sprinkle on the cheese.

Top with second tortilla. Cook until bottom tortilla is light brown. Carefully turn quesadilla over and brown the other side.

Allow it to cool slightly before cutting into triangles.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream, salsa and hot sauce.

Consuming snacks is very important part of every child’s daily meal plan. But this is especially true for kids with diabetes. Most diabetic meal plans will include at least 2 to three snacks daily in order to maintain a balanced diet. Of course this is dependent on the meal plan that as been specified by your personal physician or dietician.

The key to maintaining healthy blood glucose levels in active children is to find the balance between a child’s insulin, food intake, and physical activity. Insulin and exercise lower blood sugar levels, whereas, foods can raise blood sugar levels, especially carbohydrates.

Children who have diabetes food needs change as they grow and become more physically active. Studies from doctors and nutritionist from clinics indicate that snacks for children with diabetes should come from the following food groups: grains, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. Additionally, they recommend using the Food Pyramid for Kids as a reliable guide to understanding food groups and portion sizes.

Creative snack ideas:

A piece of fresh fruit is always a good idea.

3 to 6 cups of low fat popcorn

A handful of pretzels

A couple of rice cakes

Flour tortilla filled with low fat shredded cheese or a slice of lean meat.

Ants on a log: celery stick with peanut butter.

English muffin pizza: halve of an English muffin, pizza sauce, and low fat shredded cheese.

Bagel bites: Mini bagel with fruit spread.

Kids with diabetes either have tendency to over snack for fear of low blood sugar levels. Or they try to sneak snacks that they are not supposed to eat. If parents or teachers are not aware of either situation it can cause problems as they try to respond to the child’s elevated blood sugar levels.

That is why it is so important that their meal plans are followed and monitored by all responsible adults. If you find that your child is over snacking or trying to sneak snacks talk to your child about why this is not a good thing for them to do. Always be supportive and seek outside counseling when needed.

Written by Tina M. Rideout. Creator of NuTraFun. We Make Healhy Eating for Kids and Adults Fun. For more information visit: http://www.nutritionalfun.com

Flatbread makes a great side item to soups, stews, pasta dishes and more.

This recipe was created by my nine year old son who loves to cook. I turned him loose and after just a few minutes of studying what we had in the pantry and refrigerator, he came up with this.

This could easily be made in a toaster oven which would be safer for kids and create less heat in the kitchen.

Ingredients

1 or two already baked flat bread

4 tbsp. of margarine or softened stick butter

2 tbsp. garlic powder

½ c each, grated

• Cheddar cheese
• Pepper jack cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Spray a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

Lay out the flat bread.

Spread evenly with butter and sprinkle with garlic powder.

Distribute each kind of cheese evenly over the flat bread.

Bake at 375 degrees for 7 to 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and place onto large cutting board. With pizza cutter, slice into strips and serve.

Tips:

Although this is a very simple recipe, it is delicious.

You could change up the recipe by adding more spices and any kind of pre-cooked meat you like.

The summer months can be exceptionally hot depending upon where you live. Perhaps you don’t want to give your kids ice cream when they ask for something sweet and cool. Try these cool snacks for kids this year.

1. Peel and freeze bananas. These can be used as a treat by themselves or added to fruit smoothies.

2. Homemade sorbet is easy to make. For instance, if you love strawberries, you can puree the strawberries; add some water, a little bit of sugar, lemon juice and a package of unflavored gelatin. Use an ice cream maker to complete the recipe.

3. Freeze whole grapes and serve those to your children. Remember, however, not to give these to small children as they can be a choking hazard.

4. Homemade popsicles can be made with 100% fruit juice. You can also make them using powdered drink mixes.

5. A fruit juice spritzer is a good alternative to serving your kids a full glass of soft drink. Add 100% juice, whatever kind you like best, to ginger ale or other clear soft drink. Add ice to cool the drink down. You can also put the mixture in the blender and create a slushy with it.

6. Brown cows, or ice cream floats, are also a cool snack you might want to give your children. Fill a glass three quarters of the way with your child’s favorite soft drink. Then add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy.

7. Buy a large container of yogurt in your favorite flavor. Spoon the yogurt into an ice cube tray and then cover it with plastic wrap. Poke a popsicle stick or tooth pick into the plastic. Place these in the freezer and allow them to freeze. You can add pieces of chopped up fruit if you want to add a special treat.

8. Cut up a variety of melons and keep them in the refrigerator for a quick cool snack at any time. To make the snack more appealing, allow the children to use cookie cutters to make shapes out of them.

9. Make a batch of cookies. When they have cooled entirely, place a scoop of softened ice cream onto one cookie and then place another on top. This will make a wonderful ice cream sandwich.

10. Orange and vanilla is a wonderful combination. Add orange juice to a blender and then place a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You’ll have made a liquid dreamsicle that is much healthier than the traditional version.

Prepare these ten “cool” snacks for your kids the next time they ask for a snack this summer. These snacks will help them cool down and be enjoyable at the same time.