Does your grocery bill skyrocket once summer hits? With my kids home all day, plus their friends hanging out in my kitchen, they can certainly take me the cleaners with their appetites!  My general rule is, friends can only eat pretzels (because I'll buy the 6 lb bag from Costco).  I know it seems harsh, but I have to draw the line somewhere or they'll eat all my apples and bananas in one afternoon.

I do however make exception for baked goods. In fact, I encourage it.  I love to bake, and whenever I make something I want the kids and their friends to gobble it up. You would think I wouldn't care what a 9 year old neighbor thinks of me and my cooking, but I can't adequately express the satisfaction I get when a neighbor will say, "This tastes amazing! Can you give the recipe to my mom?"  Talk about a boost to my self-esteem! I love it!

Well, this happened this weekend when I made some mini-pretzel bites.  The kids ate them quickly, and they loved them!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon yeast
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons baking soda

Instructions

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water and honey. Let sit for 10 minutes.
2. Then add salt and flour to yeast mixture.
   
3. Mix thoroughly and knead for 5 minutes. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
4. After rising, roll and cut out desired shapes.
   
5. Dip shapes in a baking soda water solution of 2 cups warm water and 2 tablespoons baking soda.
   
6. Place on a greased or parchment lined cookie sheet and let rise again for 1 hour.
   
7. Bake in oven at 450 degrees for 10 minutes or less (until pretzels begin to turn brown and are cooked through)

Our super easy fruit dip, was a delicious way we found to incorporate our fresh berries.

We took, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, and 1/2 cup berries.  Blended in a food processor, until the dip yogurt was runny enough for easy dipping, and poured it into a bowl.

Cheap summer snacking never tasted so good!