Easy Coconut Biccies

April 22, 2015 · 13 Comments

I am loving these Easy Coconut Biccies.

They are perfect for lunchboxes as they have no nuts! Also great when you have a bare pantry – you only need four ingredients and they are so, so easy to throw together.

Feel free to add in your own bits and pieces – I have made them before with a mixture of dried fruit and some healthier choc chips would be yummo too. You may want to add in a little drizzle of honey and maple syrup if you like a really sweet biscuit, but I think the sultanas make them sweet enough.

Easy Coconut Biccies

Vital Stats: grain free, gluten free, dairy free, nut free, refined sugar free, paleo

Okay, this is what you need:

2 cups organic dessicated coconut

2 organic eggs

1 cup organic sultanas

1 teaspoon organic cinnamon

1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract

HOT TIP: Using organic coconut and fruit means you don’t have to worry about added sulphur dioxide. Read more here.

Okay, this is how you do it:

Preheat your oven to 180°c on a gentle setting. Fan force is too harsh for these little babies.

Mix everything together – I like to get my hands in there and give it a good massage to distribute the egg properly.

Squeeze into round biccies, about the size of a walnut. It will make about 15.

Whack on your baking paper lined tray and fling into the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until they are just set and lightly brown. Keep an eye on them!

Leave to cool on the tray to firm up. Enjoy!

HOT TIP: I love the If You Care Baking paper to cook with. It is unbleached and 100% chlorine free. I even wash it and reuse if it’s not too yucky. Your regular baking paper can contain chromium (a heavy metal).

Lunchbox Felafel

January 19, 2015 · 4 Comments

Today on the blog, gorgeous mums Micheline and Anita are sharing a recipe from their new cookbook, Sandwich Free Packet Free Lunchboxes. I am thrilled to have been a contributor to their amazing cookbook – look out for my muffin recipe!

Have you ever looked at your children’s lunch boxes and asked for the inspiration of healthy, real foods that they will actually eat and enjoy? Micheline and Anita who are both friends and mothers that offer you exactly that. Both are passionate about real whole foods and sharing easy to prepare, realistic alternatives to replace the standard bread and packet foods that have become the “lunchbox”.

In their new cookbook they share ideas, recipes and inspiration to demonstrate how easy nutritious food can be in everyday lunchboxes and the wonderful vibrant effect making these simple recipes has on our children’s bodies and lives.

Lunchbox Felafel

(Gluten free, Dairy Free, Nut free, Egg Free, Sugar Free, Vegan)

1 can chickpeas (mashed with fork)

3 cloves garlic (crushed)

½ onion (chopped finely)

1 tsp cumin

2tbs chopped coriander

1 ½ tbs flour (besan/rice/coconut)

Mash together in a bowl with a fork. Shape into patties and add to oil or a good fat in the fry pan.

Cook over a moderate heat until brown and crispy.

Use it with a salad or in a wrap with some tzatziki!

Thermomix: Place all ingredients into bowl chop 10 secs, sp 6.

About the Book:

Sandwich Free Packet Free Lunchboxes is a guide to simple, inexpensive real food lunch box ideas. The health, development and behaviour of children is often influenced by the foods they consume. This book shows how to time effectively prepare healthy foods for the week to nourish our children and enable them to thrive.

Get it online here.

About Anita and Micheline:

Micheline and Anita are both mums. Between them they have 5 kids of varying ages and different dietary requirements ranging from a very sporty teenager to a preppie!

They met at a talk given by Cyndi O’Meara early on in their health journey. They had both thought that we were feeding our families well until this event.

Roll forward a couple of years and they felt there was such a need for a book which took things back to basics. As a society we live ridiculously busy lives which is why it has become so easy to pack lunches with packets and quick “foods”. But are we really giving our children the most nutritious options for optimal health, learning and energy? We actually need to ask the question especially about packet foods if it is even really food.

Find the girls at their Website or Facebook.

The Best Lunchboxes for Kids

January 12, 2015 · 20 Comments

The Best Lunchboxes for Kids

It’s nearly back to school time again!

If you need to update your lunchboxes, check out my round up of the best lunchboxes for kids. Depending on the age of your child, your budget and your preferences, there are lunchboxes for everyone!

♥ Planetbox

These lunchboxes are so popular and with good reason! They are the ultimate in waste free, safe lunchboxes. Made from 100% great quality stainless steel, they are able to go in the dishwasher. There are lots of different sizes and options to suit your child’s appetite.

PlanetBox is designed to keep foods from “touching each other.” When you close the PlanetBox the top and the bottom meet so that foods will not co-mingle, even when carried and stored on its side. The seal on the PlanetBox itself is not designed to hold wet, messy foods like yogurt, dips, and applesauce. The Dipper included is the best option to use for foods such as these. They have a silicone rubber seal that engages when placed inside the PlanetBox to create a tight leak-proof seal.

Get Planetbox online here.

♥ Cheeki Leakproof

This is what mums everywhere have been waiting for and wanting. A stainless steel lunchbox that is affordable and leak proof!!

This new one from Cheeki is double layered and has a silicone seal under the lid (which doesn’t touch your food) – genius. There are three variations: double stacked, regular and large so you can find a size that suits you.

Get Cheeki leakproof lunch boxes here.

♥ Lunchbots Quads

These stainless steel lunchboxes from Lunchbots are great for waste free lunches. Made of the highest grade stainless steel, you can get them with or without a protective, colourful cover. They are easy to clean, easy to open, virtually unbreakable and will not rust or stain. They are not watertight, so best for snacks without a lot of juice!

Get Lunchbots online here.

♥ Yumbox

One of the only lunch boxes that is leakproof! The Yumbox has five different 1/2 cup compartments and a little dipper. It has one lid to seal it all up. Yoghurt, dip and sauces will be not leak out! It has a kid-friendly latch and is designed for toddlers upwards.

Made from food safe materials, it is BPA and phthalate free, dishwasher safe and durable. Yumbox comes in pink, green, purple and blue and they also fit snugly into the the seriously cute So Young lunchbags.

Get Yumbox online here.

♥ Goodbyn

Goodybn lunchboxes come in a range of colours and sizes. They are a great waste-free lunchbox, with separate compartments and one lid. The lunchboxes are made from safe plastic – #5 PP (polypropylene) – one of the most benign plastics on the market and 100% FDA approved materials . There is no lead, BPA, phthalates or PVC and they are totally 100% recyclable.

It’s a sturdy lunchbox and you can get extra accessories like a leak proof dipper container, ice bricks, stickers and insulated lunch bags.

Shop Goodbyn online here.

Have a great back to school!

10 Healthy Muesli Bar Recipes

September 15, 2014 · 14 Comments

10 Healthy Muesli Bar Recipes

Muesli bars are such a great way to get a load of nutrients into your body that is also totally delicious!

Beware of commercially produced muesli bars – they have a whole lot of sugar and artificial additives going on there! It’s actually pretty quick and easy to make your own – just mix and bake (or not). We often bake double batches and freeze in portions to make it easy to pull one out for the lunchboxes or for a quicky brekky on the run.

I hope you love these 10 Healthy Muesli Bar recipes from my favourite Aussie wellness bloggers.

Grain Free, Nut Free Muesli Bars

Berry Bubble Protein Bars

Homemade and Healthified Be Natural Bars

Easy Muesli Bars

Homemade Muesli Bars

No Bake Muesli Bars

Raw Superfood Seed Bars

Double Chocolate Crunch Bars

Lindy’s Superfood Muesli Slice

Spiced Orange, Apricot and Quinoa Muesli Bars

WANT MORE?

Try my Blueberry Breakfast Slice, Apricot Coconut Slice and

30 Super Healthy Lunchbox Snacks and 20 Nut Free Lunchbox Snacks

Best ever healthy lunch box tips!

January 23, 2014 · 16 Comments

Best ever healthy lunch box tips!

There are so many great resources out there, I just had to round them all up for you to have a read! Please leave me links and comments with your top tips for healthy lunch boxes.

Join the nude food revolution over at Down to Earth Mother.

Find out how to reduce lunchbox stress in 7 easy ways with Brenda Janschek.

Louise at Meal Planning Your Way shares her

back to school lunchbox formula.

Your solution to boring lunchboxes from Melissa at Frugal and Thriving.

The Organised Housewife with some tips for packing a healthy lunchbox.

And make sure you are following my Pinterest board, Back to School!

Gluten-Free, Nut-Free Muesli Bars

January 21, 2014 · 50 Comments

This is such an easy and tasty recipe that is perfect for lunch boxes.

I guess they aren’t really ‘muesli’ bars as they don’t contain oats! But you can certainly use oats instead of quinoa if you like.

Quinoa (pronounced KeenWah) is incredibly nutritious – it’s very high in protein. Combined with all the seeds and eggs, these bars will have you fuelled up and ready to go!

HOT TIP: You can use any combination of dried fruits,nuts and seeds – as long as the mixture you add to the eggs equals 5 cups.

Gluten-Free, Nut-Free Muesli Bars

Vital Stats: gluten free, grain free, dairy free, nut free, refined sugar free

Okay, so this is what you need:

1/2 cup organic quinoa, dry

1 cup dried apple

1 cup organic sultanas

1/2 cup dried organic figs

1/2 cup organic sunflower seeds

1/2 cup organic pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

1/2 cup organic shredded coconut

1/4 cup organic chia seeds

1/4 cup organic sesame seeds

3 organic, free range eggs

2 tablespoons organic maple syrup or honey (optional)

2 teaspoons organic ceylon cinnamon

2 teaspoons organic vanilla extract

Hot tip: choose organic dried fruit where you can, as it doesn’t contain preservatives.

Okay, so this is how you do it:

Preheat the oven to 160° celsius. Line a slice tray with a non-toxic baking paper.

Rinse the quinoa really well (I soak for a bit and then rinse). This is really important as quinoa has a bitter saponins that coat it and need to be removed.

Cook the quinoa in a saucepan with 1 cup of filtered water. It will take about ten minutes. You will know it’s cooked because it becomes translucent.

HOT TIP: Make extra quinoa and store it in the fridge or freezer. It’s fantastic added to a salad or used instead of rice.

Cool the quinoa right down (you don’t want scrambled eggs)!

Chop the apple and figs. You can use the food processor or thermomix to do this.

Mix all the ingredients together well. I like to get my hands in and give it a good massage!

Press it firmly down into the slice tin and bake for 25-30 minutes or until cooked.

I cover the slice halfway through the cooking time with some baking paper so it doesn’t burn on top.

Cool on a wire rack before slicing with a bread knife into bars.

These freeze really well, so make a double batch and you will always have some on hand!

Makes about 12 large bars.

Want more?

Check out my 10 Healthy Muesli Bar recipes.

2 Ingredient Biscuits

January 14, 2014 · 37 Comments

I know I am a bit slow on the uptake but…… I finally got around to making the famous “2 ingredient” biscuits that are all over the internet!

I thought I would road-test them for any of you who haven’t tried them out yet. Anyone? Anyone?

So, what’s the verdict? Yes, they really are easy and yes, they do taste yummy and yes, it does work just fine!

Just 2 ingredients are required, but you can then add in whatever other ingredients you like to jazz them up. I had a play around with a few ingredients and quantities and this is my version of the famous biccy.

2 Ingredient Biscuits

Vital Stats: wheat free, dairy free, nut free, egg free, can be gluten free

Okay, so this is what you need:

2 medium sized ripe bananas

1 cup organic rolled oats

optional – your choice of add ins

HOT TIP: I never use quick oats as they have a higher GI than regular oats!

Okay, so this is how you do it:

Preheat the oven to 180°celsius and line a biscuit tray with non-toxic baking paper.

Mash the bananas and then add the oats. That’s it! Easy, huh?

You can also make them in the thermomix – whizz banana on speed 5 for 10 seconds. Add oats and mix on reverse, speed 5 for 10 seconds or until combined.

Shape into walnut sized balls with your hands or a teaspoon. Flatten down slightly.

Bake for around 15 minutes or until the biscuits firm up.

I got 15 small biscuits from this mixture.

Store in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container.

There you have it – 2 ingredient biscuits!

HOT TIP! Make a double batch and freeze for school lunches!

Jazz up your biccy!

While my daughter liked the plain biscuit, the rest of us thought the jazzed up ones were nicer.

Let your imagination go wild and add in whatever you like!

The three I did were:

Chocolate: cacao powder and cacao nibs

Superfood: goji berries and chia seeds

Fruit ‘n Spice: grated apple, sultanas and cinnamon

I think they at least need some vanilla or cinnamon in them for a little flavour. If your kids have a really sweet tooth, you may need to add in a little raw honey or maple syrup.

Here are some more ideas for the add ins:

* shredded coconut, dried fruits, seeds, nuts, spices, vanilla, superfood powders, grated vegetables or fruits

This is a fantastic recipe to start the kids on learning to cook. It’s so easy and they can have fun making their own combinations up.

I would love to know if you have made these and what your add ins are. Please share!

HOT TIP! These are perfect for a grab and go breakfast!

12 Tips for a Stress-Free Back to School

January 13, 2014 · 14 Comments

12 Tips for a Stress-Free Back to School

Whether your kids are heading to school for the first time, starting high school or changing schools, it can often be accompanied by a little bit of stress and anxiety.

I am not just talking the kids here either – many of us mums feel very anxious and a bit teary about sending our precious bundles off the school!

I feel like a veteran school mum with one child heading to Year 12 and the other in his third year of uni. Where does the time go?

Here are my top tips to make back to school calm and stress-free!

1. Be positive

Whenever you are talking about school, keep a positive attitude. Kids will quickly pick up any anxiety or negativity you might be feeling about it. Talk about all the fun things you used to do at school and all the friends you made.

2. Pack a yummy lunch

Pack something your child loves to eat for the first day so they are looking forward to it.

3. Do a reccy (reconnaissance mission)

If you are able, get permission to visit the school in the holidays. Hang out on the swings, stroll around the buildings, find the toilets and get familiar with the layout before the big day. Most places will have an orientation day, but visiting when its quiet can make a difference.

4. Aromatherapy oils

Put a drop or two of essential oils on a hanky for your child to sniff if they are feeling a little anxious. Try 123 Nourish Me’s Calm Down and Confidence roll ons specifically designed for kids!

Mums, don’t forget to do the same for yourself!

5. Buddy up

See if you can find someone who will be in your child’s class. Have them over for a play date before-hand to get friendly and chat about school. Encourage them to look out for each other on the day.

6. Keep it simple

Make sure bags, bottles and lunch boxes are easy to access for little fingers. It’s not much fun struggling with layers of clingwrap to get to your lunch! Try these brilliant, reusable sandwich and snack pockets that have velcro closures.

7. After-school fun

Although they will most likely be exhausted, a small treat to look forward to after school can be something to get them through the day. A visit to the park or reading their favourite story perhaps?

8. Love note or magic banana

Write your kids a cute little love note, jokes or pop some stickers in their lunchbox for a nice surprise! For the ultimate in cool and eco-friendly, write a message on a banana with a skewer. By lunch time, it will have magically appeared.

9. Have a morning routine

A set time to get up and a routine to follow will keep that morning chaos to a minimum and keep everyone calm. Use checklists and have a central point for the all school stuff.

10. Play school

Have a fun day at home where you play ‘school’. Get up, get ready, get the uniform on and have brekky in real school time. Go outside for lunch and practice opening the new lunch boxes.

11. Crystals

Let your child choose a few crystals to carry in their pocket. Agate is calming and comforting. Calcite helps alleviate fear and can reduce stress. Aquamarine can calm nerves and help banish fear and phobias. My kids have always loved doing this!

12. Flower Essences

Alisha at Naughty Naturopath Mum has an amazing Back to School pack containing four flower essence blends for kids (and parents) to help with back to school emotions. Find them here.

What tips do you have for a stress free back to school?

Kid’s Christmas Gift Guide

November 13, 2013 · 170 Comments

Kid’s Christmas Gift Guide

It’s nearly Christmas and I have once again rounded up some fabulous natural, eco-friendly, ethical (and a little bit educational) gifts for kids.

♥ Twigz Wheelbarrow

This super cute wheelbarrow will be heaps of fun for the kids in the garden or sandpit. It’s ergonomically designed specifically for children, so they are super sturdy and virtually impossible to tip over. Designed in Australia, the tray and legs are made of powder coated steel, the subframe is made of timber and the wheels are made of solid hard plastic.

You can get them online at Gardening 4 Kids.

♥ Finska Game

Finska is a super fun and addictive backyard tossing game for all ages based on the ancient log throwing games from Finland. Players use cunning, strategy and skill to navigate clever twists and be the first to score 50 points. So it’s also a little bit educational. But ssshhh! they will never know!

Finska is the brainchild of two Sydney dads who love the outdoors and playing games and think their game is “a fabulous antidote to the antisocial electronic gizmos that keep kids indoors and it wasn’t something for just kids as well.” This will be fabulous fun for some outdoor time after Christmas dinner!

Get the Finksa Game online here.

♥ Green Toys Sand Play Set

You know I love anything recycled and eco-friendly and I am so excited about this company. Green Toys makes a line of classic children’s toys constructed from 100% recycled plastic! Their toys meet US and international toy safety standards, and contain no BPA, PVC or phthalates.

Take this sand play set to the beach or use it in the sandpit – you get the bucket, sand mould, rake and shovel. A brilliant gift for eco-kids!

Get Green Toys Sand Play Set here.

♥ Magnetic Build a Pic Carry Case

I love that this is a portable toy – how handy for the car or waiting for appointments! The case is a hinged wooden box with magnetic interior and rope handle. It comes with over 50 magnetic pieces and 8 picture guides to get you started. Kids can either use the picture guides to create the designs, or make up their own. There are so many educational aspects to this activity!

Get it online from Freestyle Kids.

♥ Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker

For the mini-chefs in the family! My kids love making their own ice cream, sorbet and frozen yoghurt in our Cuisinart. It’s really easy to do. Just whizz up your ingredients and pour them in and 20 minutes later, you have a frozen treat. It’s so cheap to make gourmet ice cream and better still, you can make it suitable for your dietary requirements. There are no nasty fillers or msg in homemade ice cream!

Get Cuisinart Ice Cream Makers here.

♥ iBark bamboo phone case

For the older kids (actually I wouldn’t mind one too) – a funky and eco-friendly phone case! The art works are from Australian artists and the case is engraved in Byron Bay NSW. The case is crafted from 5 layers and 78 individual pieces of bamboo. It’s light weight and lined internally with felt to ensure no scratching and a secure friction fit.

Get it online from iBark.

Stocking Stuffers:

With a bit of hunting around, I was able to find a lot of cute little gifts that won’t break the bank but will still be fun and useful. Our kids also like a few sweet treats in their stockings at Christmas time, because it does qualify as a special occasion! Check out these ideas.

♥ Gingerbread Family

A no-nasties treat for the kids. Gingerbread Folk products are made with the finest pure ingredients and decorated with a unique egg-free icing. The packaging is eco-friendly and these all natural cookies contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

The box contains a ginger mum, dad, two kids, pet dog & cat. Gingerbread Folk also make gluten-free products too. They are really delicious! Get them online at the website.

♥Banjo the Carob Bear

A great treat for kids with special dietary needs. It’s gluten-free, caffeine-free, theobromine-free and contains no added sugar. Carob Kitchen produce ethical products and contain no palm kernel oils.

Get it online from Organics on a Budget.

So, there you have it, that is my round-up of kid’s christmas gifts for this year!!

I hope you find something that will make your shopping that little bit easier.

{parts of this post are sponsored}

Byron Bay Muesli Balls

April 10, 2013 · 170 Comments

Byron Bay Muesli Balls

Muesli is the only cereal I will buy for my family now. Anything else you buy in a box is pretty much rubbish.

It makes a great base for quick snacks for the kids. I am loving these Byron Bay Muesli Balls. So quick and easy!

Okay, so this is what you need:

2 cups roasted Byron Bay Macadamia Muesli
1 cup organic (sulphur free) apricots
1/4 cup honey
60 grams butter (or use coconut oil for a dairy free option)
1/3 cup desiccated or shredded coconut

Okay, so this is how you do it:

Place muesli, apricots, honey and warm, melted butter in a food processor. Process for 2 to 3 minutes or until well combined.

Place coconut in a shallow dish. Roll tablespoons of muesli mixture into balls. Coat balls in coconut. Set aside to cool for 15 minutes in the fridge before serving.

Gary from Byron Bay Muesli posted me up his range of four award winning mueslis to sample last month. To say we have been enjoying it a lot, is an understatement. We have been cooking with it, making it into bircher muesli and porridge and just eating it out of the packet.

It’s pretty darn good.

I think the secret is the locally-grown macadamia nuts in every pack. Who doesn’t like a mac? The hand roasted varieties also add in macadamia honey and cold-pressed macadamia oil.

As a mum, I also love the fact that it is made with organic and biodynamic ingredients. There is nothing artificial at all, no numbers and no sugar!

I find I only need a small bowl with some fruit as it is so nutrient-dense, so the pack lasts a long time.

Okay, so who wants to win some? Gary is kindly offering to give away six hampers, each containing all four mueslis.

The range. Almond Fig and Pear, Classic, Bircher and Gluten-Free.

This giveaway has now closed. The winners were Teneille, Karlene, Amber, Carmen, Kylie and Amelia. Congratulations!

How to enter:

*Be a blog subscriber (add your email to the top right hand box). Please double check you are still subscribed after I moved the blog!

*Like Byron Bay Muesli on Facebook. Take a look around – there is lots of info and stockists on the page.

*Comment on this blog post, telling me which one of the four varieties appeals to you the most.

Winners will be chosen using random.org from those meeting the entry requirements, emailed and announced on this blog post. Giveaway starts now and ends at midnight on the 20th of April, 2013. Sorry, only available to those with an Australian address.

Good luck and many thanks to Gary and his gang at Byron Bay Muesli!

Make contact:

Website: www.byronbaymuesli.com.au

Email: info@byronbaymuesli.com.au

Phone: 02 6687 1518

Facebook: www.facebook.com/byronbaymuesli