I've challenged myself to come up with a few treats for her, not sweets, that she can enjoy this month. Full disclosure: this is also a good time to introduce "treats" she would otherwise be unwilling to try. Here are 2 treats you and yours can feel good about:
(*I've noted Weight Watchers points as those who may be counting need treats, too!)
WHIPPED CREAM FRUIT PLATE (2 pts.)
Put a dollop (2 tablespoons) of freshly whipped cream in the center of the plate. Cut up a variety of fruit - I used orange segments, grapes, bananas, apples, kiwi - whatever you've got. Add a little cocktail stick and it's like healthy fondue.
You may never see this tidbit in a "healthy eating" article: consuming fat with fruits and vegetables helps with the absorption of some of the nutrients. Of course, ordinarily a "good fat" is recommended, such as avocado, seeds/nuts or olive oil - but as this treat, we'll let the cream help. Don't fool yourself though, and start adding cream to everything!
DATE DELIGHTS: (2 pts.)
1 cup pitted dates, chopped
1/2 cup + 1/2 cup oatmeal
1 banana
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cinnamon
1/2 cup milk
Chop dates, put into food processor with chunks of banana and 1/2 tsp vanilla. It will be hard to blend - keep stopping and scraping down. Transfer to a small pot and add 1/2 cup of oats. Add half cup milk, stir over low heat, cooking so that the dates will soften. Return mixture to food processor. Blend. Should be more successful now as dates have softened.
Add 1/4 tsp cinnamon and remaining 1/2 cup oats and stir to combine. Line a baking sheet with baking/parchment paper. Spoon 1 inch balls of mixture onto sheet. Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes at 160ºC. They should be darker and somewhat more firm. Remove to cool for a few minutes.
Nutrition info: 60 cal, .5g fat, 119mg potassium, 1.7g fiber, 1.3g protein
(Dates are a good source of insoluble fiber and potassium and are low in fat. They are full of energy as they're high in natural sugar making these good for lunch boxes. Potassium is a mineral that isn't stored in your body and therefore, regular replenishment is important.)