Back to School

The long summer days are almost over and school is starting.  As both parents and kids are getting used to new routines, some parents feel daunted by preparing snacks for school and lunch boxes.  

My eldest daughter started school a few weeks ago and I've been getting quite excited about lunch boxes!  I as well as preparing snacks and lunches that are nutritious I include foods to help balance her blood sugar and maintain energy levels throughout the day. Together with a wholesome breakfast, healthy snacks and lunches are essential for child's growth and helps to support a healthy immune system. 

Mid-morning snacks

- Apple/kiwi/pear/peach slices

- Oat / wholegrain rice cakes with some hummus 

Lunch boxes 

Sandwich fillings:

- Hummus and paprika, tomato, cucumber

- Avocado and chicken with salad 

- Tuna, cucumber and sweetcorn

- Cheese and grated apple  

Healthy birthday cake

My daughter recently celebrated her 4th birthday and I was keen to offer her guests delicious but healthy birthday cake.

After searching what it seemed like hundreds of cake recipes I chose to make a raw banana coconut cake, a gluten-dairy-sugar free (original recipe featured in Kiitos Hyvää blog). This cake was packed with good protein to keep the energy levels up but without short-term sugar high that refined sugar can cause.

The best part was that the cake only took 30min to make with no baking required! It was a very risky strategy but both the birthday girl and the guests loved it!

Banana Coconut Cake

Base:
1.5dl ground almonds
1.5dl shredded coconut
2 tablespoon of raw /organic honey
Half tsp of sea salt

Filling:
3 ripe bananas
1dl ground almonds
1 tablespoon of honey
1 lemon (juice)
1tsp vanilla extract
5 tablespoon melted coconut oil
Pinch of sea salt

1. Mix ground almonds, shredded coconut, honey, salt in a blender into a smooth dough. Pour into a cake tin (17cm) and press firmly into the bottom of the tin. If using spring cake tin, put baking paper before pouring the dough in.

2. Filling: mix the bananas with ground almonds in a blender. Add lemon juice, honey, pinch of salt and blend into a fine consistency. Melt coconut oil (in a pan with low temperature) and add to the mix. Blend in well. If it tastes too sweet, add more lemon juice.

3. Pour into cake tin and even with a spoon.

4. Put cake in the freezer for 1-1.5hrs. Sprinkle shredded coconut & berries on the top.

My first ever blog!

I'm very excited to have my website up and starting my first ever blog!  This follows 6.5 years of learning about different aspects of nutrition.  To recharge batteries and rewind, we went on a big holiday touring Italy and France for 4 weeks which was amazing.  

We spent a lot of of our time around food - either eating deliciously cooked local food or planning our next meals!  We visited wonderful food markets and it was fascinating to watch how the Italians shopped for their food. Their are so passionate about food and cooking and use local and seasonal foods.  

Although we ate very well, I struggled to find healthy breakfast alternatives with all the refined wheat products around!  Therefore I'm quite happy to be back home and having a little 'detox' of processed sugars, wheat or dairy products.  So far so good but I had major craving for dark chocolate so made these simple raw chocolate and coconut balls...all in 15min!  

Raw chocolate, honey & coconut balls

1 cup of ground almonds

1/2 cup of raw chocolate powder

3 tablespoons of organic honey

3-6 tablespoons of water

1. Mix raw chocolate, grunded almonds, honey and water together to make a smooth consistency (very sticky!) 

2. Make balls and roll them in shredded coconut.   

Put in a fridge for 30 mins & enjoy! Delicious!