I used to think homemaking meant I had to do it all. The spotless house, the made-from-scratch meals, the perfectly behaved kids sitting quietly while I cooked—like something straight out of a Hallmark movie. But then… life happened. I quickly learned that perfection isn’t the goal, and making use of every resource—including sourdough discard—can be a game-changer in the kitchen.
Why We’re Making the Swap
Let’s be honest—grabbing prepackaged snacks from the store is easy. I get it. I’ve done it. And in today’s world, where grocery prices are sky-high, it’s tempting to grab whatever is cheapest just to get by. But as I’ve been on this journey of homemaking, I’ve realized something: our health is worth more than the convenience.
That doesn’t mean our house is stocked with only clean ingredients—far from it! We are still a work in progress. I’m learning to choose my battles and take one step at a time.
In my recent healthy snack swap video, I spent an entire evening making a few homemade snacks. It took forever—partly because as a content creator, I was filming from every angle. But if you just pick one recipe to make a day (or two on the weekend), you CAN make the swaps.
It’s not about doing it all—it’s about doing what you can, when you can.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”– Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
Sourdough Discard: The Secret to Budget-Friendly, Healthy Snacks
One of the best things I’ve learned? Sourdough discard is a gift, not waste. It’s packed with benefits and can be used in so many ways—including healthy snacks my kids will actually eat.
If you’ve ever struggled with getting homemade snacks to go over well with your family (trust me, I have!), these ideas might help.
1. Sourdough Granola Bars (A Win for My Daughter)
🍪 Recipe: Sourdough Granola Bars
These granola bars were a huge hit! My daughter wasn’t sure at first, but once they came to room temperature, she loved them. I keep them in a spot where she can grab one whenever she wants.
💡 Tip: Make a batch and store them in an airtight container for easy snacking!
2. Sourdough Breakfast Bars (Perfect for My Son)
🥞 Recipe: Sourdough Breakfast Bars
These were made specifically with my little boy in mind. He prefers them warm rather than room temp, so we found the perfect warming time. Now, they’re his go-to snack.
💡 Tip: If your kids are picky about textures, try warming these up slightly to soften them!
3. Sourdough Discard Cheese Crackers (A Crunchy Favorite)
🧀 Recipe: Discard Cheese Crackers
These crackers are so easy to make and way better than store-bought alternatives. They’re crispy, cheesy, and perfect for when you want something savory instead of sweet.
💡 Tip: Make a double batch and store extras in the freezer!
Snack Experiments: What Worked & What Needed Tweaking
Not every snack swap was a home run (and that’s okay!). Here are a few things we tested:
❌ Yogurt Bark (Needs More Honey!)
- I found a super simple yogurt bark recipe online: 1 cup of plain yogurt + 1 tbsp honey + your favorite fruit toppings.
- My son, who loves yogurt, said it needed more honey—so we’ll tweak it next time!
💡 Tip: If using plain yogurt, add a little extra sweetness to balance the tartness.
✅ Homemade Chocolate Syrup (Almost There!)
- This was a copycat Hershey’s chocolate syrup recipe I found on social media.
- My daughter, who drinks a giant cup of chocolate milk every morning, said it smelled and tasted like brownie batter but needed a bit more salt.
💡 Tip: When swapping store-bought syrups, adjust flavors slowly until you find the right balance!
🔄 Snickers Crack (A Work in Progress)
- If you’ve seen TikTok’s famous Snickers Crack, you know it’s supposed to taste like a Snickers bar.
- Did it? Nope. But it was still really good!
- The chocolate needed tweaking—I had originally planned to make my own chocolate chips using this mold, but ended up just using melted chocolate instead.
💡 Tip: If you’re making homemade chocolate, adjust sugar levels to taste!
Encouragement for the Journey
I didn’t start out knowing how to cook.
Actually, when I got married, I had no idea what I was doing in the kitchen. Not because my mother didn’t try to teach me—I just wasn’t interested. Thankfully, my husband could cook, so he did.
But then, something changed.
I wanted to learn. I wanted to take care of my family in this way. And little by little, I figured things out. I burned things. I messed up recipes. I wanted to quit.
But I kept going.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
So if you’re trying to make homemade swaps and feeling like it’s too much work or not turning out right—keep going. Growth comes in the process.
Your effort matters. Your presence in your home matters.
Looking Ahead: Freezer Prep Video Coming Soon!
I’ll be sharing a full freezer meal prep video soon, so stay tuned! Until then, if you want to start meal prepping, try picking just one snack to make this week—small changes make a big impact.
“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”– Proverbs 31:27 (NIV)
Keep showing up. Keep making small swaps. And most importantly—keep going. Remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are!
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