Mess-Free Summer Snacks for a Healthy Home

Summer is here, and that means your kitchen is open for business all day long. Juicy watermelon and drippy popsicles are summer staples, but those mess-prone snacks can quickly become a sticky nightmare, and your carpet can easily fall victim to slips and spills. The easiest way to protect your home this summer is to keep these risky (albeit delicious) treats away from carpets and rugs. Never fear, you can still have all of your favorite frozen treats this summer- simply enjoy them outside in the sunshine if they run the risk of melting or dripping. If you are looking to stay indoors, here are some great snack suggestions that you can enjoy in the comfort of your home, drip-free!

Ants on a Log. This classic snack traditionally consists of celery sticks, peanut butter, and raisins, but there is no rule against mixing things up. Add a fun twist by replacing the peanut butter with cream cheese (either plain, or mixed with ranch dressing) or hummus. Depending on the spread that you choose, you can substitute olives, basil, carrot shreds, Goldfish pretzels, or chocolate chips for raisins. 

Freeze-dried fruit. We have nothing against fresh strawberries or pineapple in the summer- nothing is better than a cold piece of fruit on a hot day! However, if you are looking for a less sticky option, freeze-dried fruit is a great alternative. Dried apples, banana chips, and dried strawberries and raspberries are all delicious variations of your favorite fruits. You could venture out with something  more exotic, like freeze dried mangoes or pineapple, or you could mix different fruit varieties together for your very own freeze-dried fruit salad!

Cheese. Cheese is a great summer snack that can be eaten mess-free. Keep things simple with some string cheese, or have some fun putting cheese cubes on toothpicks. You could even skewer some olives or cherry tomatoes along with the cheese for your own mini-kebab.

Banana Peanut Butter Bites. These snacks are fun and kid-friendly all at once. Split the banana lengthwise to spread the peanut butter ants-on-a-log-style, or spread peanut butter on smaller bites for easy snacking. It’s easy to add nuts, raisins, chocolate chips, or any other fun extras that you would like. If peanut butter isn’t your thing, hazelnut spread makes a great alternative! 

Frozen grapes. Grapes are already a delicious part of any summer, and freezing them just makes them that much better. Frozen grapes are cold and refreshing without the drippy mess. The best part is how completely easy this snack is. Toss some grapes in the freezer, and they will be there whenever you need a little pick-me-up.  

Some accidents just can’t be avoided. If you find yourself in a sticky situation this summer, give J & G Chem-Dry a call! We offer specialty stain removal services in Vancouver, and we will be happy to help you get back to enjoying your summer!