Snackster Sam Blog
Our recipes and activities are always Snackster Sam approved and kid approved.
 What am I?I am a tropical fruit that is known for my spiky exterior and juicy, golden flesh inside. I have a sweet and tangy flavor that many people enjoy, and I'm often used in both sweet and savory dishes. My name can be traced back to the 1493, when I was discovered in the islands south of Florida by famous Spanish explorers. Can you guess what I am?  Where I growI grow best in tropical and warm climates, like Costa Rica, Brazil, and Hawaii. I need lots of sunshine and a warm climate to grow and thrive. I don't grow from a seed. Instead, the top of the fruit is cut off and put back into the ground. You might be surprised to know I grow out of the ground from a plant that has long spiky leaves. In the center, you'll find my fruit. When I'm starting to grow, multiple berries fuse together to make the fruit you'll eat.  After I'm pickedIt can take about 3 years until my plant fully grows my fruit and I'm ready to pick. I don't ripen after I'm picked, so you should eat me right away! If you are saving me for a special occasion, set me in the fridge until you're ready to eat. Then cut off the scales on my skin and the hard core of my fruit. I can be eaten fresh, added to fruit salads, used in smoothies, or even grilled for a delicious tropical twist.  Did you guess... PineappleEspañol: piña Good job! Pineapple is delicious raw, in smoothies, and even cooked! Have you had a fresh pineapple? Watch the video to learn more: Feed your food curiosity! Snackster Sam provides fun and educational content about food that grows. Join the adventure. Download the Snackster Sam app from Google Play or the App Store!
Snackster Sam is changing the tune on birthdays... Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you... No, not that tune. I'm talking about sugar overload. Cupcakes, cake, lollipops, and juice are birthday staples, but these treats have also become every day foods for many. Taking the sugar overload out of a birthday party doesn't take the fun out. In fact, it makes for an experience that all kids can enjoy, even if they suffer from juvenile diabetes, allergies, gluten sensitivities, and more. So let's throw a birthday party!  Throwing a Sugar-Free Kids' Birthday PartyMy daughter recently turned six, and she requested a Snackster Sam themed birthday party. Hosting birthday parties is one of my favorite parts of parenting. Growing up, we didn't have a lot... I knew I wasn't going to get the coolest, latest toy, but my mom always made sure we had an awesome birthday party. I mean she went all out. In 10th grade a classmate I barely spoke to came up to me and said, "remember that birthday party you had in 4th grade? That was the best birthday ever." Thanks, Mom. So ever since my daughter's first birthday, I've tried to live up to my Mom's birthday level. But this year was more fun than usual, because my daughter jumped into the planning process. She couldn't wait to see the book and Snackster Sam's Big Adventure come to life! Birthday Party ActivitiesFirst, as the guests arrived to the party, they received an antenna headband to look like Snackster Sam. This was a great way to greet the guests, and you can even add their name to the back (so the headband becomes a name tag). The headbands were a huge hit! After everyone arrived, we journeyed to the Orange Planet (just like Snackster Sam in Snackster Sam's Big Adventure). There, guests played a jumping game with lollipop sticks. If your guests haven't read the book, consider starting the party with a book reading of Snackster Sam's Big Adventure. Then we flew to the Green Planet and played pin the candle on the cake! The guests were blindfolded and spun six times (since it's a sixth birthday celebration) and had to try their best to get their candle on the cake. Next the guests experimented with colors and water on the Red Planet. There were a lot of unexpected surprises when the guests mixed different colors of water!  Finally, they landed on the Planet of Blue where they painted and decorated ceramic pots. After the pots were decorated, the guests planted a seed. This doubled as a party favor, as they each got to take their plant home! After the activities, we dug into Snackster Sam approved snacks! There was a three-tiered watermelon cake, apple lollipops, watermelon star juice, and more to dig into! All the guests ate a variety of their favorite snacks, tried new foods, and left with full bellies. Throw a Snackster Sam birthday party! Get the details of each activity here. Of course, no party would be complete without opening presents, singing that birthday tune, and a dance party! Things to Expect When You Remove Sugar at a BirthdayThis birthday is going to be a little different, and that's ok. There is no rulebook on birthdays that says you need cupcakes, pizza, and soda. Having a different menu is perfectly acceptable! However, expect at least one birthday guest to ask if there is going to be a certain food item. In all the parties I've hosted, no matter the theme, no matter the menu, there is always a guest who wanted something that wasn't provided. Don't worry about pleasing every developing child in the room. At the end of the day, the guests aren't missing out on anything, and they are gaining from eating nutritious foods and being with friends! Now it's your turn!Looking to put a spin on your next birthday party? Go for it! Share your variations and activities in the comments below! Not sure what the activities on each planet mean? The book makes it clear! Order Snackster Sam's Big Adventure. Stay tuned for the details on each planet's activity, instructions on making Snackster Sam monster birthday invitations, and everything else you need to know! Danielle is the mother of two and creator of Snackster Sam. She has been concerned about healthy habits and nutrition for over a decade, and conducted an award-winning scientific study on portion control. She created Snackster Sam to make eating healthy more fun for parents and children. Learn more about the mission here.
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