Healthy Bake Sales Options

Healthier Options for School Bake Sales

Trying to figure out healthy recipes for the bake sale can be challenging. Bake sales have traditionally been filled with high calorie, high fat and high sugar cakes, cookies, pies and other goodies.

Some parents, myself included, are looking for alternatives to the traditional bake sale. Since I teach nutrition, I believe we need to be reinforcing classroom nutrition teaching by including more healthy choices in fundraising activities otherwise the students get a mixed message.

This lens includes from cooking with healthier recipes, hosting a No Bake or No Calorie cupcake sales and even looking for alternative fundrasing options to the bake sale. Also included are some links to the Sneaky Chef. If Missy Chase Lapine, has her way, her "Save the Cupcake" will teach parents how to use healthier recipes for the traditional bake sale.

Image Source: Justyna Furmanczyk. Fruit Flan. Royalty Free Use.

"Bake Sales strike fear
in the heart of this health promoting Mom."

The Traditional Bake Sale

My Thoughts on Bake Sales and School Fundraisers

Just the mention of another Bake Sale or another classroom party strikes fear in the heart of this health-promoting, nutrition-teaching mom.

As a parent I want to make sure that my children to grow up and be healthy and happy. I am teaching my daughters to make healthy eating choices and to be physically active each day.

As a nutrition teacher I believe we need to be reinforcing classroom nutrition teaching by including more healthy choices in fundraisers and fundraising activities otherwise the students get a mixed message.

Having children and adults sell junk food and high-calorie, high-fat, sugar-ladened treats for fundraisers undermines teaching children about eating healthy food.

If schools are holding Bake Sales, let's make sure that the recipes being used are healthy ones. It is also time for parents and schools just do some thinking outside of the box to discover new ways of fundraising.

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Healthy Fundraising Recipe Options & Cookbooks

If schools are holding Bake Sales, let's make sure that the recipes being used are healthy ones.

Here is a collection of a few healthier recipes that can be used to make bake sale items. More healthy recipes are in the recommended books.

Mint-Chocolate Meringue Cookies
The Great American Eat-Right Cookbook in the Amazon Spotlight
Healthy Apple Coffee Cake
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Baking with Agave Nectar in the Amazon Spotlight
Winter or Summer Crisp
Creamy Chocolate Cheesecake With Sliced Strawberries
Celebrate!: Healthy Entertaining for Any Occasion in the Amazon Spotlight
Ways to Reduce Fat and Cholesterol in Desserts
Healthy Recipes Kids Love
Splenda Yellow Cupcakes
Marlene Koch's Sensational Splenda Recipes in the Amazon Spotlight
Information from Splenda on Hosting School Bake Sales
Splenda in the Amazon Spotlight
Healthy Recipes To Use for Fundraisers
FUNdraising in the Amazon Spotlight

Mint-Chocolate Meringue Cookies

Mint-Chocolate Meringue Cookies

These bite-sized cookies burst with flavor that belies their low calorie and fat count. These cookies will satisfy even the most sophisticated taste buds.

Lining trays with parchment paper prevents food from sticking. Parchment is available in most supermarkets or cooking stores and is a baker's best friend. (Makes about 60 cookies)

Prep time: 15 minutes or less
Total time: 45 minutes or less

Ingredients:

* 3 egg whites
* 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
* 2/3 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
* 1/4 teaspoon mint extract
* 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips or finely chopped bittersweet chocolate

Directions:

* Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, securing the edges with tape.
* With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Add cocoa powder and beat until the mixture becomes glossy. Add mint extract. Gently fold in chips.
* Place mixture in a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2- or 3/4-inch tip. Pipe 1-inch rounds onto the parchment, leaving 1 to 2 inches between cookies. With damp fingertips, press down any peaks. If a pastry bag isn't available, spoon mixture into a zip-top bag and snip a 1/2-inch hole in the bottom corner of the bag. Batter can also be dropped with a tablespoon onto the parchment.
* Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, rotating pans halfway through baking. Place baking sheets on a cooling rack for 10 minutes before peeling cookies off the parchment.

Each serving provides:

Calories: 15
Calories from Fat: 0
Total Fat: 0.0 g
Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
Trans Fat: 0.0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.0 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 0 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 3 g
Dietary Fiber: 0 g
Sugars: 3 g
Protein: 0 g

This recipe is from the new The Great American Eat Right Cookbook, available for ordering at the link below.

Source: Mint-Chocolate Meringue Cookies. The Great American Eat Right Cookbook.

The Great American Eat-Right Cookbook in the Amazon Spotlight

The Great American Eat-Right Cookbook: 140 Great-Tasting, Good-for-You Recipes

by: Jeanne Besser, Colleen Doyle

Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 11/14/2009)

According to food writer Besser (The First Book of Baking) and Doyle, Director of Nutrition and Activity for the American Cancer Society, moderation, fresh herbs and infused oils can satisfy diners without expanding waistlines or endangering health.

This cookbook has 140 tantalizing recipes to satisfy any desire for delicious and nutritious meals for every day or special occasions.

Nutritional information is provided for each dish.

Healthy Apple Coffee Cake

Apple Coffee Cake

Apples and raisins provide the moistness, which means less oil can be used in this low saturated fat, low cholesterol, and low sodium coffee cake.

5 C tart apples, cored, peeled, chopped
1 C sugar
1 C dark raisins
1/2 C pecans, chopped
1/4 C vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla
1 egg, beaten
2-1/2 C sifted all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350º F.
2. Lightly oil a 13x9x2-inch pan.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine apples with sugar, raisins, and pecans; mix well. Let stand 30 minutes.
4. Stir in oil, vanilla, and egg. Sift together flour, soda, and cinnamon; stir into apple mixture about 1/3 at a time just enough to moisten dry ingredients.
5. Turn batter into pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool cake slightly before serving.

Yield: 20 servings--Serving Size: 3-1/2-inch x 2-1/2-inch piece

Each serving provides:

Calories: 188
Total fat: 5 g
Saturated fat: less than 1 g
Cholesterol: 11 mg
Sodium: 68 mg

Source: Apple Coffee Cake. Stay Young at Heart.

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Nothing is more delicious than a warm, chewy chocolate chip cookie. Using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose makes this a contender for the best-tasting cookie ever!

Prep Time:30 min
Start to Finish:40 min
Makes:3 dozen cookies

3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
2 cups Gold Medal® whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)

1. Heat oven to 375ºF.
2. Mix sugars, butter, vanilla and egg in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt (dough will be stiff). Stir in chocolate chips. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown (centers will be soft). Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.

Each serving provides:

Calories 150 (Calories from Fat 70 )
Total Fat 8 g (Saturated Fat 5 g)
Cholesterol 20 mg
Sodium 110 mg
Total Carbohydrate 19 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Protein 2 g

Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1 1/2 Fat

Source: Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies. BettyCrocker.com

Note: Our Own Chef Keem recommends replacing the brown and white sugar in this recipe with 1 cup Vanilla Agasweet, Agave nectar.

You may also need to reduce the other liquids slightly since agave nectar is a liquid sweetener. Since agave nectar browns a bit faster turn down the baking temperature by about 25 percent.

Following his guidelines you can turn any old sugar recipe into a new, lower sugar, healthier one.

Baking with Agave Nectar in the Amazon Spotlight

Baking with Agave Nectar: Over 100 Recipes Using Nature's Ultimate Sweetener

by: Ania Catalano

Amazon Price: $10.87 (as of 11/14/2009)

Agave nectar is becoming popular with dessert lovers seeking to reduce or eliminate processed sugar in their diets.

In Baking with Agave Nectar natural foods chef Ania Catalano includes over 100 Recipes Using Nature's Ultimate Sweetener. Learn how to creatively integrate this up-and-coming natural sugar substitute into every sweet tooth's repertoire through a variety of delectable recipes.

More Agave Nectar Recipes

A Showcase of agave nectar recipes from Chef Keem.

Agave Nectar Recipes - Agasweet FAN Site

FAN stands for Flavored Agave Nectar. But it also means Fantastic, Alternative, Natural agave sweetener. As a companion to my other Agasweet pages on Squidoo.com, this lens shall provide a showcase of agave nectar recipes, customer feedback, and info...

Winter or Summer Crisp

Winter Crisp

Only 1 tablespoon of margarine is used to make the crumb topping of this tart and tangy fruit dessert that is cholesterol free and low sodium.

Filling:

1/2 C sugar
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp lemon peel, grated
3/4 tsp lemon juice
5 C apples, unpeeled, sliced
1 C cranberries

Topping:

2/3 C rolled oats
1/3 C brown sugar, packed
1/4 C whole wheat flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp soft margarine, melted

1. To prepare filling, in a medium bowl combine sugar, flour, and lemon peel; mix well. Add lemon juice, apples, and cranberries; stir to mix. Spoon into a 6-cup baking dish.
2. To prepare topping, in a small bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Add melted margarine; stir to mix.
3. Sprinkle topping over filling. Bake in a 375º F oven for approximately 40-50 minutes or until filling is bubbly and top is brown. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Variation:

Summer Crisp

Prepare as directed, substituting 4 cups fresh or unsweetened frozen (thawed) peaches and 3 cups fresh or unsweetened frozen (unthawed) blueberries for apples and cranberries. If frozen, thaw peaches completely (do not drain). Do not thaw blueberries before mixing or they will be crushed.

Yield: 6 servings--Serving Size: 1-3/4-inch by 2-inch piece

Each serving provides:

Calories: 284
Total fat: 6 g
Saturated fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 56 mg

Source: Winter or Summer Crisp. Stay Young at Heart.

Creamy Chocolate Cheesecake With Sliced Strawberries

Creamy Chocolate Cheesecake With Sliced Strawberries

A Cheesecake recipes that won't blow your diet.

Ingredients:

* 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
* 4 ounces low-fat cream cheese
* 1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
* 1/4 cup maple syrup
* 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
* 2 large egg whites
* 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon Kahlua
* 1/2 pint strawberries
* Nonfat cooking spray

Directions

Preheat oven to 350º. Coat an 8 x 8-inch pan with nonfat cooking spray. Puree in blender the yogurt, cream cheese, ricotta cheese, maple syrup, cocoa, egg whites, cinnamon, and Kahlua. Pour in pan.

Bake cake for 50 minutes or until done. Let cool and decorate with slices of strawberries.

Makes eight slices.

Each serving provides:

Calories: Approx 98 calories per serving
Fat: 4 g

This recipe and many more come from the ACS book, Celebrate! Healthy Entertaining for Any Occasion available below.

Source: Creamy Chocolate Cheesecake With Sliced Strawberries. Celebrate! Healthy Entertaining for Any Occasion.

Celebrate!: Healthy Entertaining for Any Occasion in the Amazon Spotlight

Celebrate!: Healthy Entertaining for Any Occasion (Healthy Recipes for a Party)

by: American Cancer Society

Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 11/14/2009)

You can celebrate in style without taking a break from healthy eating or delicious food. You know that eating right and being physically active are important to maintaining good health. This book can help plan gatherings with healthful, tasty recipes.

Celebrate! pairs 20 festive, fun-themed menus with easy recipes that don't sacrifice taste.

Ways to Reduce Fat and Cholesterol in Desserts

Marlene Sorosky author "Fast & Fresh Festive Meals for the Holidays" offers tips and recipes for ways of reducing the fat and cholesterol without sacrificing flavor.

Includes recipies for:

Sweet & low: Dreamy desserts made with fruit pump up the flavor, not the fat: An Article on Sweet & low: Dreamy desserts made with fruit pump up the flavor and not the fat from the San Francisco Chronicle.

Healthy Recipes Kids Love

Healthy Recipes Kids Love is a 100-page magazine cookbook designed to help families eat more healthfully. From selecting recipes that sound and look good to shopping together for the ingredients and cooking together, families can make eating at home easy and rewarding.

Due to popular demand, they have also publish a 36-page special edition of Healthy Recipes Kids Love magazine cookbook. The cookbook includes many of the delicious recipes and beautiful photographs that were published in the original magazine.

These American Heart Association recipes make cooking and eating at home fun and easy for the whole family!

Retail Price for each book is a reasonable $3.99.

Healthy Recipes Kids Love (2008 Special Edition): A 36-page special edition of Healthy Recipes Kids Love magazine cookbook from the American Heart Association.
American Heart Association Online Retail Store: You can order both editions of the book and support the American Heart Association by shopping in their on-line store.

Quick Fix for Store-Bought Brownie Mix

Quick Fix for Store-Bought Brownie Mix

If you don't have time for the scratch version, this doctored-up packaged brownie mix fits some great nutrients in. Simply replace half of the oil and all the water with nutrient-rich Purple Puree and replace some of the dry mix with wheat germ. No one I've asked, kids or adults, could tell the difference between these and the regular version.

1/2 cup wheat germ, unsweetened
1 box (about 21 ounces) brownie mix (preferably without hydrogenated oils)
2 large eggs
3/4 cup Purple Puree (see Make-Ahead Recipe #1 below)
1/4 cup canola oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter or coat with cooking spray a 13-by- 9-inch or 8-inch square baking pan.
Measure and discard (or save for future use) 1/2 cup of the dry packaged brownie mix and replace with 1/2 cup of wheat germ. Mix together with the eggs, oil, and Purple Puree until well blended. Follow package directions for baking time, depending on size of baking dish used.

Sneaky Chef Make-Ahead Recipe #1: Purple Puree

3 cups raw baby spinach leaves (or 1 cup frozen chopped spinach, or frozen chopped collard greens)
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (no syrup or sugar added)
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 tablespoons water

If using raw spinach, thoroughly wash it, even if the package says "prewashed." Bring spinach or collards and water to boil in a medium pot. Turn heat to low and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. If using frozen blueberries, quickly rinse them under cold water to thaw a little, and then drain.

Fill the bowl of your food processor with the blueberries and cooked spinach, (or collards) along with the lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of water, and puree on high until as smooth as possible. Stop occasionally to push top contents to bottom. If necessary, use a second tablespoon of water to make a fairly smooth puree.

This amount of spinach and blueberries makes only about 1 cup of puree. Double the recipe if you want to store another cup of the puree. It will store in the refrigerator up to 2 days, or you can freeze 1/4 cup portions in sealed plastic bags or small plastic containers.

This recipe is from The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids' Favorite Meals available below.

The Sneaky Chef in the Amazon Spotlight

The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids' Favorite Meals

by: Missy Chase Lapine

Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 11/14/2009)

The "The Sneaky Chef," contains more than 100 recipes with Missy Chase Lapine's innovative way to get healthy ingredients into the foods kids love.

The book also includes the "make-ahead" purées of superfoods.

Fundraising Options with the Sneaky Chef

The Sneak Chef has come up with recipes that not only facilitate good nutrition, but support the District's wellness initiative.

She launched the 'Save the Cupcake' campaign at an elementary school in her own school District.

Prior to the bake sale a Sneaky Chef cooking class was offered for parents so they could learn how to make her signature healthy purees, which add nutrients to cupcakes.

The bake sale is part of Lapine's larger mission to offer an innovative solution to childhood nutrition.

The Sneaky Chef: Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids' Favorite Meals: The official website for the Sneaky Chef, Missy Chase Lapine who presents simple strategies for hiding healthy foods in Kid's favorite meals.
Sneaky Chef Bake Sale In Irvington: Missy Chase Lapine, author of the best-selling book, The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids' Favorite Meals conducted the first Sneaky Chef bake sale.
Save the Cupcake! - The Sneaky Chef: I think everyone was in agreement that the school cafeteria needed to go on a diet. But banning cupcakes is tantamount to outlawing one of the last remaining bits of childhood that kids today have left.
Brawny Brownies - Free Healthy Recipes from The Sneaky Chef Books: A Free Healthy Recipes from The Sneaky Chef's book for Brawny Brownies.

Splenda Yellow Cupcakes

Splenda Yellow Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

Makes 12 cupcakes
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 15 minutes

1 1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 cup SPLENDA Sugar Blend for Baking
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup lowfat buttermilk
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees F. Place 12 paper baking cups into muffin pans. Set aside.

COMBINE flour, SPLENDA Sugar Blend for Baking, baking powder, and baking soda; add butter to flour mixture. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until mixture is crumbly.

COMBINE buttermilk, egg yolks, and vanilla; add to flour mixture and beat at low speed until blended. Spoon batter into prepared pan.

BAKE 15 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center of cupcakes comes out clean. Once cool, frost as desired.

Each serving provides:

Calories: 230
Calories from Fat: 90
Total fat: 11 g
Saturated fat: 6 g
Cholesterol: 55 mg
Sodium: 95 mg
Sugars: 19 g
Protein: 4 g

Chocolate Frosting

Makes Frosting for 12 Cupcakes
Preparation time: 15 minutes

1/2 cup SPLENDA Sugar Blend
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/3 cup 2% low-fat milk
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

COOK SPLENDA Sugar Blend for Baking, corn syrup, milk, and chocolate in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until candy thermometer reaches 232 degrees F, 6 minutes. Remove from heat and add butter; do not stir. Set aside to cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.

TRANSFER mixture to a medium mixing bowl; add vanilla and beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until frosting is of spreading consistency, 5 minutes. Spread quickly onto cupcakes using a spoon.

Each serving provides:

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
Calories: 80
Calories from fat: 40
Total Fat: 4.5 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Cholesterol: 5 mg
Sodium: 5 mg
Dietary Fiber: 1 g
Sugars 10 g

Source: Yellow Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting. Splenda Bake Sale Website.

Marlene Koch's Sensational Splenda Recipes in the Amazon Spotlight

Marlene Koch's Sensational Splenda Recipes: Over 375 Recipes Low in Sugar, Fat, and Calories

by: Marlene Koch

Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 11/14/2009)

Marlene Koch's Sensational Splenda Recipes includes over 375 Recipes Low in Sugar, Fat, and Calories.

As a registered dietitian, professional cooking instructor and nutrition educator Marlene Koch specializes in combining healthy living with great-tasting food.

Information from Splenda on Hosting School Bake Sales

Splenda - School Bake Sale: The Splenda School Bake sale site is a great place to find information about planning a health school bake sale. Splenda brand encourages all schools and parent groups to create a healthier community overall.
Splenda - Recipes: Use Splenda Recipes for the best baked goods. Use them for your bake sale, share them with school supporters or print them out and add them to your own home favorites list.
Healthier Bake Sales - Ask the Expert - Splenda - School Bake Sale: What things should the host of a bake sale keep in mind to make it healthier?

Splenda in the Amazon Spotlight

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Healthy Recipes To Use for Fundraisers

A collection of other websites with more healthy recipes that can be used at your next bake sale.

Healthy dessert recipes - MayoClinic.com: Healthy dessert recipes from MayoClinic.com.
Healthy Low Fat Recipes, Diet Plans, Holiday Recipes, and Free Online Diets: FoodFit is your source for healthy recipes and diets, fitness and nutrition information. Healthy eating and active living is easy and enjoyable using FoodFit's delicious database of healthy recipes, nutrition information and personalized, interactive tools.
Healthy Dessert Recipes: An online cookbook of recipes for any meal. Browse recipes by topic or search to find the perfect recipe at Better Recipes.
Stay Young At Heart Healthy Recipes: A collection of Heart Healthy recipes from Stay Young at Heart.
Apples for Health - Healthy Recipes: Providing you and your family free up-to-date health information, health related resources, and healthy recipes.
Nutritional Links for Kids, Healthy Food Resources for Children, Healthy Kids: Promoting Healthy Fundraising in our Children's Schools with Nutritional Tips, Recipes for Kids, Healthy School Activities, School Nutritional Resources, Healthy Lunch Program.
Healthy Fundraisers: Healthy Fundraising is an integral part of Primary School activities in Public, Catholic and Independent schools. The muffin recipes not only promote vegetables but also can be initiated as a whole strategy supporting food preparation skills and "family together" time from North Coast Area Health Service.

FUNdraising in the Amazon Spotlight

FUNdraising: 50 Proven Strategies for Successful School Fundraisers

by: Frank Sennett

Amazon Price: $23.95 (as of 11/14/2009)

This book presents an abundance of creative and cost-effective fundraising strategies designed to engage the community and bring in significant dollars.

Included are real-life examples of administrators, teachers, parents, students, and local supporters who have pulled off popular and lucrative fundraisers in schools across the country.

Articles on Healthier Bake Sales

If the school has rules about serving only healthy foods, cook baked goods and bake sale items with healthy recipes.

Do Something | Healthy Bake Sale: Give kids the option to eat something good for them by holding a delicious and nutritious bake sale. Raise some money and teach your school about healthy alternatives!
Bake Sale Favorites: Allrecipes.com offers some advice on how to make bake sales healthier.
Splenda - Recipes: Use Splenda Recipes for the best baked goods. Use them for your bake sale, share them with school supporters or print them out and add them to your own home favorites list. Splenda offers recipies for Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Sugar Cookies, Scrumptious Chocolate Coconut Squares, Yellow Cupcakes, After-School Butterscotch Brownies and Chocolate Chip Cookies.

A No-Bake Bake Sale

Host a No-Bake Bake Sale

How do you host a no-bake bake sale? By turning it into a donation fundraiser.

Traditionally bake sales can profitable, but they also require a lot of work. For parents and schools who want to promote healthy choices, selling a variety of high calorie, high fat baked goods may not be the best option.

To host a no-bake bake sale, you send home notices to parents or adult group members that they are invited to NOT spend all day cooking, and NOT spend an afternoon at a bake sale table, and NOT feel obligated to buy someone else's culinary efforts.

Instead you encourage parents to simply contribute $10 (or $15, or $20 depending on your fundraising goal) to the No-Bake Bake Sale.

The organization wins by collecting donations. The parents win by not spending a lot of time baking cakes, pies and cookies to sell to people who probably don't need to eat the extra calories.

Image: Modified Microsoft Image.
Source: Ideas for Healthy Fundraisers. Fundraising.com

A No Calorie Cupcake Sale

Have a No Calorie Cupcake Sale

How is it possible to host a no calorie cupcake sale? When the cupcakes are crochet or knitted from yarn.

Crochet and Knit Cupcakes are a fun, simple, no calorie, healthy and guilt-free cupcake option to the normal cupcake. These healthy choice cupcakes have no fats, no sugar and no cholesterol.

You could even host a Crochet-a-Cupcake-athon or a Knit-a-Cupcake-athon and have people learn how to crochet or knit with these fun patterns.

Image Source: Lion Brand. Free Knit & Crochet Pattern
Amigurumi Hi-life Cupcake.

Featured Lens on Knit and Crochet Cupcakes

Crochet Cupcakes - A Quick No Cal Holiday Gift

Crochet Cupcakes are a simple, no calorie, healthy and guilt-free cupcake option to the normal cupcake. Crochet Cupcakes also make excellent last minute gifts, ornaments and stocking stuffers for the creative crafter. These delightful alternatives mak...

Knit Cupcakes - A No Calorie Holiday Treat

Knitted Cupcakes are a holiday treat, perfect for a unique last minute, hand made gift item. You can create knit cupcakes hats, stocking stuffer ornaments, amigurumi (toys), paperweights, pincushions or just as a novelty gifts. You also might be ins...

Time to Junk the Junkfood Fundraisers

Some people and organizations like the Center for Science in the Public Interest believe that it is time to Junk the Junkfood fundraisers.

CSPI nutrition policy director Margo G. Wootan offers these words on Junkfood Fundraisers.

"Health-conscious parents have a hard enough time without schools pressuring their children to buy even more junk food to help pay for their own education," said CSPI nutrition policy director Margo G. Wootan. "Why put parents in that position when there are perfectly good fundraisers that don't jeopardize children's health?"

"It is time to junk the junk food fundraisers," said Wootan. "As a society we are sure to spend more on the resulting diet-related diseases than we could ever hope to raise selling junk food in schools."

Source: Margo G. Wootan. February 2007. Sweet Deals: School Fundraising Can Be Healthy and Profitable, Says CSPI. Center for Science in the Public Interest.

It is time to junk the junk food fundraisers. As a society we are sure to spend more on the resulting diet-related diseases than we could ever hope to raise selling junk food in schools.

Margo G. Wootan
CSPI Nutrition Policy Director

Say "No" to Bake Sales

A Featured Lens on Hosting Healthy School Fundraisers

Healthy School Fundraisers

Being a health-conscious and eco-conscious parent is hard these days when schools are pressuring us along with friends and family to buy junk food, low quality products and a variety of paper products that are not just needed. Fundraising doesn't hav...

Blogger Suggestions for Healthier Fundraising Options

Eco-Friendly School Fundraisers: A look at eco-friendly fundraising from The Green Parent: A Kid Friendly Guide to Eco Friendly Living.
Eco-fundraising Made Easy and Profitable: Suggestions for eco-friendly fundraising from GreenTalk.
Beyond Peanut Brittle: Successful Fundraising Without Junk Food: Suggestions for from Jean Saunders, Healthy School's Campaign, School Wellness Director

Being a health-conscious and eco-conscious parent is hard these days when schools are pressuring us along with friends and family to buy junk food, low quality products and a variety of paper products that are not just needed.

Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS

Beyond the Bake Sale in the Amazon Spotlight

Beyond the Bake Sale: The Ultimate School Fund-Raising Book

by: Jean Joachim

Amazon Price: (as of 11/14/2009)

Parent-driven fund-raising keeps classrooms stocked with computers, libraries filled with books, and teams supplied with uniforms and equipment.

Beyond the Bake Sale is a comprehensive guide to foolproof methods that will raise the maximum amount of money for any elementary or secondary school.

Featured Lens for Raising a Healthier Generation

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation

The mission of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation is to eliminate childhood obesity and to inspire all young people in the United States to develop lifelong, healthy habits. The goals of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation are two-fold 1...

Recommended Healthier Foods for Fundraising

Action for Healthy Kids recommends the following healthier foods as fundraising options.

Fresh Fruit
Fruit Baskets
Cheese Baskets
Popcorn & Nuts
Low-fat Cereal Bars
Trail Mixes
Gourmet Food Baskets

Why put parents in that position [of having to buy junk food] when there are perfectly good fundraisers that don't jeopardize children's health?

Margo G. Wootan
CSPI Nutrition Policy Director

Healthier Fundrasing Options

Healthier Fundraising Programs

Some healthier fundraising programs available to schools and recommended by the Center for Science in the Public Interest include:

Source: CSPI. February 2007. Sweet Deals: School Fundraising Can Be Healthy and Profitable, Says CSPI. Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Physical activity fundraisers.
Walk-a-thons, 5Ks, 10Ks, bowl-a-thons, and other sports-related fundraisers promote physical activity for students and can be lucrative for schools.
Book fairs.
The publishing company Scholastic sponsors more than 100,000 book fairs per year, which promote literacy as well as raise funds.
Scrip and grocery store fundraisers.
Scrip is a gift card for use at local retail stores, which schools purchase at a discount. Many grocery chains have programs that disburse a percentage of shopper's purchases to a school they designate.
Recycling fundraisers.
Used cell phones, empty printer cartridges, and even re-usable clothing can all be collected by schools in exchange for cash. Millions of printer cartridges are thrown away each year, yet schools can earn between $.06 and $2.20 per cartridge, depending on the model.
Healthy food sales.
Fruit, bottled water, spices, or granola bars can be sold instead of junk foods.

Blog Posts on Healthy Fundraising Ideas

Peaceful Playgrounds: Healthy Fundraising Ideas from Healthy Kids ...: Provide a fun, physically active fundraising event, like Dance for Health?! HKC offers a Dance for Health? kit that has everything you need to know -- ideas for a press release, how to collect money, equipment and space needs, healthy ...
Snack Healthy Fundraiser: The committee who will oversee this fundraiser will need to make sure it's okay with the principal before proceeding. Run some ideas by the principle as to how this fundraiser will be set up. Here are some suggestions that could be ...
Yoli Health Beverage Drink: Healthy Fundraising Ideas: Beverage Blast Caps The Biggest Shake Up In The Beverage Industry! Twist. Blast. Shake! Loading... Friday, October 16, 2009. Healthy Fundraising Ideas · http://blastcapsfundraising.com/healthy-fundraising-2/ ...
What's happening in your neighborhood Hawaii?: Healthy Fundraising ...: Healthy Fundraising Ideas · We don't attract what we want, we attract what we ... Great Happenings for Yoli Blast Caps · How Multi Tasking Affects Business Success - Home ... Facts: Yoli Truth Drinks Vs Other Beverage Drinks. ...

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Practical Guide to Fund-Raising for Schools in the Amazon Spotlight

Practical Guide to Fund-Raising for Schools

by: Paul Morris

Amazon Price: $49.95 (as of 11/14/2009)

This book is an easy to follow guide for those seeking to supplement funding for their school. Due to government cut-backs on school funding, many school systems are looking to alternative methods.

This will be a welcomed resource for teachers and administrators.

Fundraising Alternatives to Selling Foods

Action for Healthy Kids recommends the following alternatives to selling foods as fundraising options.

Physical Activity Fundraisers

There are a whole variety of different physical activity fundraisers that can be hosted.

Sports-related fundraisers help promote physical activity for students and can be lucrative fundraisers for schools.

There are also many organizations (like the American Heart Association) that sponsor physical activity fundraisers that the schools can work with to help host a fundraiser. Some of these are featured on the Healthier School Fundraisers lens.

A Featured Lens on We're All Winners

An an educational fitness activity designed to let young children have fun by participate in a non-racing, solo running activity. This could be adapted into a fundraising event.

We're All Winners

“We’re All Winners” is an educational fitness activity designed to let young children have fun, learn a bit about being safe in the sun and then participate in a non-racing, solo running activity. The main goal of the event is to cr...

Other Fundraising Options

Weighing Healthier Options - Concessions, rewards can be healthy, too: The Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) looks at Healthier Options.
Products and Programs for Healthy Fundraisers: Ideas for Healthy Fundraisers from Fundraising.com
Healthy Fundraising Ideas: School Fundraisers are a critical source of money needed to keep giving our children the priceless gift of education. The Alliance highly recommends great resources that the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
Healthy Lifestyles-Healthy Fundraisers for PTAs: An article on Healthy Lifestyles and Healthy Fundraisers for PTAs.
14 Fundraisers that Promote Healthy Living | Fundraiser Insight: If you're looking for healthy fundraising ideas, you'll find them here. Find out the top 14 fundraisers that are successful and health conscious all at the same time.

Green Fundraising Ideas

Isn't there are greener way for kids to help raise money for their school without trashing the planet?

Jenn, The Green Parent

Jenn isn't the only one wondering if there aren't greener fundraising ideas that can help raise funds without adding to the trash on the planet. Some of Green Fundraising Ideas include:

1. Selling Green Stuff

2. Recycling Fundraisers

3. Buying Green Online

4. Adopt-a-Tree

5. Community Cleanup

6. Green-a-thon

Recyclable Shopping Bag Programs

There are many different organizations and companies that are offering fundraisers to sell reusable shopping bags.

Educational Fundraising with a Purpose: Helping advance the adoption of reusable shopping bags and reduction of plastic bags as a lifestyle choice. ChicoBag reusable shopping bags are designed to spread the message of environmental sustainability.
The Dodo Bag Company - Fundraisers: It's Easy, Quick & Profitable! Are you searching for a unique, hot-selling fund raising item? Look no further-you've found it--The Dodo Bag.
Bulletin Bags: Environmentally Friendly Reusable Shopping Bags: Bulletin Bags are high-quality reusable shopping bags that are machine washable, extremely durable and made from a blend of environmentally friendly hemp and recycled PET.
Kids Saving Our Planet - Fundraising: Groups can sell "I helped save our planet" Reusable Grocery Bags to help raise money for their organizations.
Rags to Bags Fundraiser: Fundraising Kits and information for your Rags to Bags Fundraiser. Turn your Rags into Grocery Bags.
ReusethisBag.com :: Eco Friendly Fundraising: Be the first on your block to hold an eco friendly Reusable Grocery Bag Fundraiser. Minimum Order: 500 Pieces for Fundraisers.
Green Bag Sales, Environmentally Friendly Fundraising: Sell reusable grocery bags to earn money for your group, club or school. Even add your logo and use your own colors for custom reusable bags that will get your group some notice.
Eco-Green Biodegradable Reusable Shopping Bags Fundraisers: Holding an eco-friendly grocery bag fundraiser will be an instant hit with your organization! That's why a new and exciting grocery bag fundraiser will boost your school, church, or non-profit organization's fundraising to a whole new level.

Featured Lenses on Green Fundraising

Healthy School Fundraiser

A Fundraiser that you can be proud to support? It's true. The myGreenSpark Redemption Book Fundraiser is the coupon book fundraiser with a Green and Healthy twist. Using the redemption book educates its users and promotes social and economi...

The Green Coupon Book

Fundraising Green has created a Green Coupon Book for consumers to use in an effort to drive Green, Healthy and Ethical purchases. The coupons tell a story, letting the user know why they should try this green product or service. It's shopping Green...

Featured Lens on Healthy Year Round Resolutions

Healthy New Year Resolutions

Making a New Year's Resolution for your health, may be one of the most important things that you do in 2009, but you don't have to just make a resolution for the New Year. You can decide at any time to make resolutions to live a healthier life, reso...

A Featured Lens on School Fundraising

School Fundraising

In fundraising, gone are the days when you had to bake some goodies just to earn extra cash for your new dress. With the growing demands for highly workable fundraising activities, new ideas have been created to suit the trend of the new millennium. T...

Fundraising Products Available on eBay

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The Latest News on Healthy School Fundraisers

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Image Credits

The Traditional Bake Sale - Tannazie. Cakes. Creative Commons. Some Rights Reserved.

Reader Feedback on Healthy Bake Sale Options

A place for feedback, comments and suggestions

What do you think about holding Healthier Bake Sales?

submit

Reply

calicoskies calicoskies Nov 11, 2008 @ 3:49 am

Those cookies look great!

Reply

bygproductions bygproductions Oct 31, 2008 @ 7:54 pm

Thanks for letting my Operation Christmas Child lens into your group. I'm looking forward to trying some of these recipes.

Reply

monarch13 monarch13 Oct 31, 2008 @ 12:55 am

Great ideas, I lensrolled it on my Parent and Teachers Guide to Healthy Classrooms.

Reply

CherylK CherylK Sep 25, 2008 @ 9:03 am

A really great lens. I'll be trying some of these recipes, for sure!

Reply

Frankster Frankster Jul 27, 2008 @ 4:41 pm

Wow. Nice job. Healthy is better -- and it all looks like it tastes great too!
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Benefiting the Squidoo Charity Fund

This group benefits the Squidoo Charity Fund, created for lensmasters who want to donate their royalties to charity, but can't decide where to send them.

Image: Squidoo Donating. © Kirsti A. Dyer. Some Rights Reserved.