Gluten Free Savoury Herb Pikelets

Do your kids come home from school famished? My oldest does and my youngest, well she is just always eating so I am always making snacks for them that also double for something nice for the lunchbox.
I made them these savoury herb pikelets yesterday and they ate the whole batch they loved them so much and none even got close to a lunch box, oh well, at least I know they love them. Looks like I'll be whipping up another batch!

Savoury Herb Pikelets

Ingredients

• 125 g butter
• 2 free range eggs
• 1/2 large raw sweet potato, finely grated
• 1 cup buckwheat flour ( can be found in health food shops, whole food stores and coles)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder (gluten free)
• 1/2 cup finely grated cheese
• 1/4 cup natural yoghurt
• 1/2 cup milk of choice (almond, soy, dairy) 
• 1/2 cup mixed chopped parsley and coriander (fresh)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• dash or to taste himalayan pink salt
• 2 teaspoon chili (my kids did not notice it all but you could leave out, reduce or increase to taste)
• 1 heaped tablespoon SuperFood For Kids Vital Veg Powder (optional - this is a gorgeous added extra to boost their immune systems, can leave out, see notes)

Method

• Soften the butter in a large bowl with a wooden spoon
• Add in the eggs mix together
• Stir in the paprika, salt, fresh herbs, cheese, yoghurt, sweet potato and vital veg powder
• Mix the baking powder with the buckwheat flour and then add into the bowl.
• Stir in the milk, if it looks to dry or is too thick add more milk or some water
• Heat a little oil in  a frying pan on a medium high heat.
• Drop small amounts of the mixture into the warm pan as you would normal pikelets.
• When you start to see a few bubbles form around the edges or a little browning carefully flip them over. Note: I find these a little gooey at the flipping stage as compared to normal flour so it just takes a little more care to flip, don't worry if they are not perfect they will turn out lovely!
• Remove from pan once lightly browned on both sides and cooked through the middle.
• Enjoy.

Notes

• My kids absolutely loved these COLD. In fact it was their preferred way to eat them.
• I have not tried a dairy free version of these but you could definitely experiment, why not let me know if you do and it works!
• If your not gluten intolerant you can of course make these with normal self raising flour (just leave out the baking powder)
• The vital veg powder is a gorgeous organic, raw, vegan, allergy friendly superfood powder for kids. If you have fussy eaters, colds going around the school or day care or just want to give your kids a boost this powder is gorgeous. Even if your kids eat really well I think it is an exciting thing that we can give their immune systems and bodies. It really helps super charge their health and I love adding some of these beautiful powders in our cooking.
  I am not normally one for adding powders and things, especially with kids. My two eat lots of fruits and vegetables but this range I really love.
  The creator of these products, also a mum has made a truly wonderful brand with honest ingredient labeling that you can read and say "love this".
  You can of course leave this out of the recipe if you wish.

Toddler Tips

• My toddler just loves these, I made her toddler hand sized ones and gave them to her with hard boiled egg, cut up capsicum, carrot, snow peas and cherry tomatoes and she was delighted. The cheesey, savoury flavour was a hit.
  
  
  (c)rebeccamugridge2014

Naplan School Breakfasts and Lunchbox Ideas

We all have heard that a great breakfast and a good lunch gives kids the best possible start to their learning for the day.

It's Naplan week for us and my daughter is both excited and nervous.
She is so excited about Naplan and really wants to give it her best, so the best thing I believe I can do for her is nice early bedtimes and lots of nourishing food.

Power up your Naplan kids at home with super breakfasts and awesome foods for their breakfasts and in their lunchbox!

Here are some fantatsic Naplan School BreakFasts and LunchBox Ideas

Breakfast

Healthy and Hearty Home-Made Baked Beans
Can be made in advance - refined sugar free, vegetarian, dairy free
Get the recipe HERE

Natural New Age Mum's
Wildly Popular and Scrumptious Blueberry Breakfast Slice
Get the recipe HERE

Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle has a gorgeous
Coconut and Ginger Infused Rice Porridge

Get the recipe HERE

Jen's Paleo Kitchen has created a
healthy and energy packed paleo sweet potato and apple hash
Get the recipe HERE

Easy, Quick & Delicious Spinach, Kale & Broccoli Cheesey Scrambled Eggs

Get the recipe HERE

Nourishing Hub brings you a
superfood porridge as beautiful as it is good for you!
Get the recipe HERE

Kid Tested and Approved Green Smoothies

These have been road tested as kids cooking events with overwhelming success!
Get the recipe HERE
SNACKS

NZ Eco Chick has created
Mixed Spice Apple Fruit Leathers - YUM!!
Get the recipe HERE

Chocolate Macadamia Bliss Balls
Get the recipe HERE

Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle
"Notella" recipe - yes, she has done it! Delicious, decadent and healthy!
Get the recipe HERE

Mango & Rockmelon Mousse
Refined sugar free - using Agar Agar not gelatine, sets firm - easily vegan,
make as small as you like
Get the recipe HERE

NZ EcoChick has the kids excited about their lunchboxes with
Almond and Apricot TrufflesGet the recipe HERE

Brenda Janscheck Health & Lifestyle
with kale chips!
Get the recipe HERE

NZ Eco Chick has created a
delicious snack so packed full of nutrients and flavour she recommends making it in double batches so you have enough!Get the recipe HERE

Berryliscious Muffins
Refined Sugar Free
Get the recipe HERE



LUNCHES

Pineapple & Sweet corn mini quiches
Get the recipe HERE

Vegeliscious Muffins 
Packed with veggies and a super food hit for super healthy kids!
Get the recipe HERE

Ricotta, Carrot & Zucchini Rolls
Get the recipe HERE

Spinach, Kale & Feta RollsGet the recipe HERE

Carrot & Sweet Potato Hash BrownsGluten Free, Egg Free, Dairy Free

Get the recipe HERE


Don't forget other delicious lunch options like sushi, salad wraps with the lot, home-made pizza and rice paper rolls!

AND for even more ideas check out:
Natural New Age Mum's 30 super healthy lunch box snacks


Lunch boxes can be FUN!

Eat beautiful. Be Active. Live well. Be Happy.

Bek XX

Bek's Beautiful Blueberry, Yoghurt Spelt Muffins with a hint of Coconut!

I love blueberries but I don't even come close to loving them as much as my youngest does. From the moment she took that very first solids mouthful she has been a total foodie and never looked back!
She especially loves raw vegetables and fruit and she just loves blueberries so she is very excited when they are in season and sqqeals when she spots them in the shops in a big display, forget freedo frogs its a punnet of blueberries hands down!
Along with eating them fresh she loves them in salads, in fruit salads, in smoothies and in muffins!

I have always made blueberry muffins and now we make these really tasty spelt flour ones, our favourite flour to use now, balanced with the cream, thick natural yoghurt they have a great texture.

Ingredients

• 1 punnet blueberries
• 100g butter, softened
• 1/2 cup dark coconut sugar (not the refined white one)
• 1 free range egg
• 1 teaspoon organic vanilla paste
• 1 cup natural yoghurt ( I use beautiful Maleny Dairies)
• 1/2 cup milk of choice
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 & 1/2 cup organic wholemeal spelt flour
• 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
• extra desiccated coconut and coconut sugar

Method

• Preheat oven to 180ç
• Grease or line with cases muffin tray
• Beat butter and coconut sugar together briefly, add vanilla essence
• Add in the yoghurt, mix well.
• Add in the egg and mix through well.
• Stir in the milk.
• Throw in around 3/4 of the blueberries and then very carefully fold through the flour and baking powder. Be very careful  not to over-mix at this stage or you will get tough muffins.
• Pour into prepared tray.
• In a small bowl mix a little coconut sugar with desiccated coconut.
• Top each muffin with the left over blueberries and a sprinkling of the coconut mixture.
• Bake until lightly golden on top and bounces back when touched approx 10-20 minutes depending on oven and size of muffins.
• Enjoy!

Notes

• Try the same recipe with blackberries, mulberries, raspberries!
• You can use coconut yoghurt and coconut oil or olive oil for a vegan allergy friendly version if required.
• Use stevia in place of coconut sugar if desired and leave the mixture off the top.

Toddler Tips

• Make them toddler hand sized friendly by using a miniature muffin tray
• These freeze well so are great for school lunches!

(c)rebeccamugridge2014

Tasty Tempeh & Chickpea Bites

Looking for a perfect picnic recipe? Or something a little different to make with tempeh?

Delicious as a light healthy lunch, entrée, a children’s dinner or in a salad wrap.
Served here with local Sunshine Coast product Noosa Chilli Jam.
Using fantastic crumbs with Quinoa and the lovely flavour of pumpkin.

Ingredients

• 1 packet Mighty Bean Tempeh, savoury
• 1 & 1/2 cups pumpkin, cooked and mashed
• 1 cup red lentils, cooked and drained
• 2 long spring onions, finely chopped
• 1 cup cooked chickpeas (you can used tinned)
• 1 cup Besan Flour
• 2 teaspoons chili ( I used Gourmet garden mild chilli paste, or to taste)
• 2 teaspoons Australian garlic (I used Gourmet Garden Garlic paste)
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
• ½ cup pepita seeds
• ¼ cup sesame seeds
• Orgran Multigrain crumbs with Quinoa
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Karom Himalayan salt and fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

Method

• Chop the Tempeh into small cubes.
• In a large bowl, combine the cooled mashed pumpkin, lentils, chickpeas, pepita seeds, sesame seeds, spring onion, parsley, chilli paste, garlic paste and besan flour.
• Add in the tempeh cubes.
• Season to taste with the salt and pepper.
• Place some of the Quinoa crumbs in a separate bowl.
• Roll tablespoon size amounts of the mixture in your hands and then roll in the crumbs.
• Flatten lightly and continue until all mixture has been used.
• Heat the oil in a non stick frying pan to a medium heat and lightly fry the bites until nice and golden on both sides.
• Serve with dipping bowls of Noosa Chilli Jam.

Notes

• Beautiful with a nice fresh salad for a healthy dinner.
• Great for picnics and lunches.
• Place 2-3 bites in a wholegrain wrap on a bed of fresh salad greens and some Noose Chilli Jam to make a healthy and filling kebab.
• Vegetarian friendly.
• Good source of protein.
• These can be a little tricky to fry, so just do 2-3 at a time.

Toddler Tips

• Make them small bites and serve with an organic tomato based sauce if the chilli jam is too hot for their taste.

This delicious recipe was created by me in my commercial work for the Maleny IGA and their Local Product Local Recipe - recipe cards.


Recipe Food Image Photography ©RebeccaMugridge 2012

Kids and Healthy Food

Kids and healthy food are just meant to go together.

 Both my girls have grown up loving fresh fruit and vegetables and healthy homemade meals.
 They love healthy food and healthy snacks and while both have very different personalities and are 5 years apart in age both eat pretty much anything healthy food wise BUT I am the first to admit I myself was definately not always a healthy eating person and I was never a big fan of fruit and veges-instead I became one after having my first baby!
As I told in The Pram Diet book when I sarted on my healthy journey my daughter was my inspiration. My inspiration to find the healthy, energised version of me, to fall in love with healthy, real food.

Just like everyone, everwhere can too!

One of the greatest things we can pass on to our children is the tools to live a healthy, happy lifestyle and the best way of doing this is by actually living one ourselves!

So where do you start?

Start with you-be inspiration to your children.

As with a lot of things it is always important to start with changes you enjoy doing or feel the benefit from, changes that aren't overwhelming or extreme, changes you will keep doing. Start with small steps and let them become natural to you and then build on them and add more as it becomes a momentum that creates an exciting love of healthy living that flows through your whole life.  

For more ideas and easy to follw advice on starting a home edible garden, composting, finding motivation, creating a healthy kitchen and a healthier less stressful home environment, cooking healthy meals that the whole family will actually eat, getting healthy and losing weight on budget and lots of recipes check out my book 

 Becoming a healthier family doesn't have to be hard, expensive or UNFUN in fact it can be a great bonding experience and have fantastic long term health benefits.

One of the best ways that as a mother I know you can get children eating healthier is by actually involving them with food. Real food. Not a packet you open or something you zap or that is handed to you through a drive-through window.

Real exciting food experiences.

Things like:

• GROW some edibles at home. Kids just LOVE this! They get so much out of it; it provides you with beautiful fresh ingredients and kids can't wait to eat veges they themselves helped to grow-combine growing with some cooking together and they will never look back. Plus as a mum you will be far more inclined to cook with lots of vegetables and herbs when you have them right there, FREE in the garden. Beautiful as fresh as fresh can be, organic and so tasty.
  Both my girls have grown up with edible gardens and watching your toddler and kids eating fresh organic snow peas, tomatoes, strawberries, watermelon, beans, celery and other ingredients straight from the garden is just priceless.
• Take them to market. Take the kids and let them help pick the fresh fruit and vegetables. Let them smell, feel, experience. Even at the supermarket make your first stop the fruit and vegetable section. This should ideally be around 1/3 of your trolley. Get them involved and have a look around together at what looks good, whats on special, what meals could be made out what ingredients.
  If your a mum sometimes caught in that spot of an upset toddler where you might give them a little something to nibble on while you shop or once you get in the car to keep them occupied what about a stalk of celery? Leave the leafy top on to make it even more fun-or a punnet of tomatoes or strawberries that aren't sold by weight, much better than a biscuit.
• Find out what they like. There is not much joy to be had consistently putting fruit and vegetables in front of kids that they don't like or that is prepared or cooked in way they don't like. Why force apples if they love mandarins or pears? The same with veges is they hate boiled veg why not try them with a fresh, dressed salad, vegetable stir fry or raw crunchy finger food veges? 
• Appreciate quality ingredients and foods. Try not to be caught up in the too expensive fruit headspace and then turn a few isles and put chips, soft drink and party pies in the trolley-in the end what would you really prefer they were munching on?
• Get healthy takeaway. Think creatively. When heading to the beach or park on a hot day why not swap the icecreams with a fresh whole watermelon chopped up on the spot for the kids to tuck into? You could even but it in advance and chill it in the fridge.
  Make your own spinach and feta sausage rolls, pizza and party pies and use things like whole grain pastry.

Read my post on Healthy Lunch Box Ideas For Kids at SunnyCoastKids.com.au by

Clicking HERE


Rebecca xx