What I'm Eating Wednesday ... Berry Yummy Smoothie

Last week I received a delivery of Chobani yoghurt, which is more than OK because we love it here! 

On the other hand, I'm going to have to find some exciting ways to use it all!

A regular weekend snack for the kids in our house is a smoothie.  Usually hubby buzzes one up so that we can get rid of the bananas in the fruit bowl that are coming to the end of their usefulness! 

This week there are no bananas ... just yoghurt!  This is the one I threw together for the kids yesterday for some after school yumminess ... frozen berries, honey chobani yoghurt, skim milk and 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder.  I added some extra protein powder because I wanted a little bit extra for my afternoon snack and besides, it won't hurt the kids! 

 

Don't tell Mr FitMum but apparently this one was nicer than his!  AND, it tasted like the thickshake you get at the cafes!  Aren't I just the best smoothie maker?!

 

 

There are so many combinations of smoothies that you can whip up! 

What is your favourite?

 



Back to school eats ... What do you feed your hungry little people?

As you may have gathered from my last few posts the kids went back to school this week. 

Even though the kids aren't at home now I'm still trying to get into a routine, surely it will happen soon!

One thing about back to school that really gets me scratching my head ...no it's not head lice! What do I pack in the school l lunches and snacks each day?

Of course I have criteria .. It must be healthy, nutritious, the kids need to eat it and it needs to keep them full so they don't come home and eat everything in the pantry!!  It also has to be portable .. afterschool snacks might need to be carried around to training, dancing or any of the other activities I find myself driving the kids to after school.

Here's some ideas that feed I my hungry little people ...

 

Popcorn

Mini Frittatas .. this is a recipe I use ..

Yoghurt

Cheese and crackers

Chopped veg .. Carrot, celery

Weetbix mini bites

Fruit

Home made muffins .. Check out my recipe page as I have a few there!

Home made pasta salad

Sandwiches on wholemeal, rye, grain bread ..

Home made treats .. I dont usually send these to school, I prefer them to have their treats after school .. but not everyday!

So what do you feed your kids for lunches and after school? Share on the comments here so that we can all use your ideas!!

Something to snack about ...

I'm talking snacks today.   This is usually my weakness when it comes to keeping my diet on track and I know that many other people feel the same way.  A wrong choice can throw out your diet for the whole day, but only if you let it.
Some people cut out snacks all together in an effort to cut calories and lose weight.  Yes, this can work, but it's not always the best option.

So, why snack?

A snack can help you make it through to your next meal.   This may even stop you eating too much at that meal if you choose the right snack.
A healthy, balanced snack can help you to stop making a bad snack choice .. you know, an apple over a packet of potato chips or chocolate bar ( OK, I don't mind the chocolate bar but not if I'm trying to watch what I'm eating! ).  You will be more inclined to stay on track if you choose the apple first.
Including regular snacks will also help to not over eat at meal times. you know what I mean, you miss afternoon snack and dinner comes around, you eat a great meal.  Then you find you are still hungry, so you go back for seconds, and then another little "something" because you just can't seem to make the hunger go away.  Then you feel sick or guilty that you've over eaten.

What's your favourite choice for a between meal snack?

These are some of my favourite choices for between meals. They are a great choice when you are keeping an eye on what you are eating.

An apple a day, right?

Fruit ... yep, 2 pieces a day is a good choice.         
Fruit with cottage cheese or some low fat yoghurt. My favourites are apple or berries with cottage cheese. It's OK, I understand, some people just can't stomach that one!
Chopped veg with homemade hommus .. carrots, celery etc











Plain old low fat yoghurt .. watch the flavoured stuff.  It may taste great but it could also have lots of sugar.
Rice thins with toppings like avocado, cheese or hommus with tomato slices.
Nuts and seeds ie trail mix.  Watch out that you don't eat the whole packet, these babies can pack a calorie punch even though they are a great source of nutrition.

Don't go crazy though, these are a snack not a full meal!  I try to keep  my snacks around 100 - 150 calories, I'm not perfect so I do have more sometimes!

The other thing that is important to me when it comes to my snacks .. I need to be able to throw them in my gym bag, handbag or just eat them on the run!  Though I have been known to eat a bowl of berries and cottage cheese driving to kids activities .. sssshhh don't mention this one!

Let me know what your favourite snack is!

Vicki x

Ham and Cheese Frittatas ...

In yet another effort to be super organized before school started back .. Oh who am I kidding!! I am not, or ever will be super organized!! So I'll start again ...

School started back this week and as you know I like to have some healthy nutritious snacks for the kids to eat during the week. They always seem to be hungry at the moment so this week I decided to make Ham and Cheese Frittatas .. The kids love them and they are pretty easy to make.

This is the recipe I use.

Ham and Cheese Frittata

What you need ...

1 cup uncooked pasta .. I use small shells or macaroni
100g ham, chopped
1 cup grated cheese
6 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
Salt & Pepper

What you do ...

1. Cook the pasta according to directions and set aside.
2. Prepare muffin cases in muffin pan and spray cases with non stick spray.
3. Divide chopped ham, cheese and pasta evenly between muffin cases.
4. Whisk eggs and sour cream together and season.  Pour mixture evenly into muffin cases until about 3/4 full. Too much and they spill all over the place.
5. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top ( optional ).


Bake at 180C until golden on top .. About 18 mins ...

Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days.

It is possible to add in other veggies if you like. I use corn or capsicum if I have it in the fridge.

My kids have them as an afternoon snack before or after training. Mums and Dads might also like them for a morning or afternoon snack ( Mr Fit Mum usually sneaks one when he gets home from work before dinner ). They are also a super quick lunch with a side salad.

Enjoy! And let me know if you try them what you think!

Fit Mum x   

More muffins ... Banana and Rolled Oat

I know .. another muffin recipe!

They are something that my kids will actually eat. 
I'm always on the search for a recipe that is bordering on the healthy side. 

This one is not too bad, well, except that I added white choc chips instead of oats just to give them a treat.  I've been a bit of a ranting mum at the moment with regards to what they are eating for school and after school snacks.

Banana and Rolled Oat Muffins

What you need ...

2 cups ( 260g ) self raising flour                          
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp bi carb soda
1 cup ( 100g ) rolled oats*
1/2 cup ( 100g ) brown sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup ( 185g ) plain low fat yoghurt
1/4 cup ( 60ml ) canola oil
2 bananas ( 250g ), mashed

What you do ...

Preheat oven to 200C.  Line muffin pan with paper cases.  I use small ones, not the super size ones cos if I want one I only want to consume a few calories, not heaps!

Sift flour, cinnamon and soda into a bowl.  Empty the flour husks from the sifter back into the bowl along with the oats and brown sugar and stir to combine.

Whisk eggs, yoghurt and oil together.  Add banana and stir to combine.  Pour into dry ingredients and mix together using a wooden spoon until just combined.  Mixture may be lumpy and does not have to be evenly mixed.

Spoon mixture into paper cases.  Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through.
Cool for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.

Best enjoyed warm! With coffee .. or milk!

* I used white choc chips last time I made them so didn't add the rolled oats.

Fit Mum x   

  

Emergency batch of muffins ...

Minor emergency .. nothing serious though ...

As usual I pack the kids school lunch the night before ( you know, being organised and all ) and I've just realised that there are no "appropriate" snacks for the kids school lunches.  It appears I've run out of home baked muffins, biscuits and slices.  And, as you have probably gathered from my previous posts I'm not a fan of the commercial snacks so there's no chips or other treats in the cupboard.  This is 9.30pm .. I can barely keep my eyes open. 

With the amount of food my kids are consuming at the moment, this could possibly mean there needs to be an emergency batch of muffins baked ... what choice do I have?

So, this morning, in between getting ready for work, school etc ... I whip up a batch of muffins.  I know I make a lot of muffins for the kids don't I? I love them ..they are quick and easy and I can hide fruit and veggies in them! Bonus!! Note .. Miss 9 does not like the apple chunks in the recipe below, but well, it's not her choice so she eats them under only a small amount of sufferance ...

This is today's batch ...

Apple and Oat Muffins

Ingredients     

                                                             

1 cup Self Raising Flour

1 cup Plain Flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup tightly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup rolled oats, plus 1 tbspn extra

1 1/2 cups ( 375ml ) natural yoghurt, at room temp

2 eggs, lightly beaten

100ml light olive oil ( I use canola oil )

1 red or green apple, chopped smallish

What to do ...

Preheat oven to 180C.  Prepare muffin pan with cases and spray with cooking spray.

Sift flours, and baking powder together.  Stir in oats and sugar.  Whisk yoghurt, eggs and oil together.  Add to dry ingredients with chopped apple and mix together until just combined.  Do not over mix.

Divide mixture into muffin cases until 3/4 full.  Sprinkle top with extra oats if you like.

Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked when tested.  Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire cooling rack.

Serve warm, not hot as this may burn your mouth ...  Mr Fit Mum, please note this ...

Store in airtight container for a few days ( if they last ) .. I keep them in the fridge and then pop them in the microwave for a few seconds to warm them up.

Lastly, off the muffin subject .. a shout out to the fabulous Liz from Last Chance Training .. I whipped up my own version of her Chicken Korma Burgers for dinner last night! YUM

Fit Mum x   

Honey and Coconut Muesli Slice

On a usual Saturday morning we are up early for swimming lessons and squad training. This means the miniature athletes in my family need a filling breakfast. I can do that.


Home from swimming and, of course, it's time for their second breakfast. Swimming does that to you.


I foresee what's going to happen next ... Give it an hour or two and they will be hungry again. This is where my endless hours of baking snacks for the kids come in. This morning I've done a favourite of theirs ... Muesli slice.  Kind of like the muesli bars you buy at the shops .. only cheaper and .. well I made them. Give them a go for your hungry miniature athletes .. or yourself cos they are pretty yummy!

Honey & Coconut Muesli Slice  

                                                                               

2 1/2 cups rolled oats                                           

1 cup rice bubbles / rice puffs

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup slivered almonds

1 tbspn honey

1 tin (395g / 14oz ) sweetened

condensed milk

What you have to do with it ...


1. Preheat oven to 160C / 325F. Grease 23x32cm ( 9" x 13" ) Swiss roll pan, line base with baking paper, letting the paper hang over the long sides.


2. Combine oats, rice bubbles, coconut, nuts, honey and condensed milk in a large bowl. Press mixture firmly into the pan.


3. Bake about 40 minutes or until browned lightly. Cool slice in the pan before cutting.


4. Optional ..I drizzle some melted chocolate creatively over the top after it has cooled and before slicing!


Enjoy!

Fit Mum x   

Kids snacks ... Carrot and Sultana Muffins

As a mum to 2 pretty active kids, I quite often hear "Mum, I'm hungry, what can I have to eat?". 

And I know that this is something that just about every other mum out there hears!  So just like every other mum, I'm always on the lookout for snacks for the kids that are not laced with sugar and salt. 

I know, fruit is a fantastic option .. or it would be if my kids ate more than just a banana or an apple .. some watermelon if I really push the issue. 

I'm spending loads of time searching the internet for recipes and ideas for kids snacks.  This recipe is one that I have found that I like .. not too high in sugar and fat but sweet enough for me to be able to get the kids to eat them without too much fuss! 

I have changed it slightly and replaced the walnuts with sultanas as my kids aren't so big on nuts in their muffins.  I'm going to do some more experimenting over the next few batches to see what other changes I can make!   Oh and it's got some vegies too!  Bonus!

Carrot and Sultana Muffins

2 cups Self Raising Flour, sifted                                     

1/2 teaspoon BiCarbonate of Soda                                           

1/2 cup brown sugar                                                                         
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon                                                               
1/2 cup sultanas                                                                       
2 carrots, peeled and grated                                                          
1 cup milk                                                                      
2 eggs, lightly beaten                                                         
2 tablespoons canola oil                                                           

Preheat oven to 200C.  Lightly grease a 12 hole 1/2 cup capacity muffin pan ( I use little cupcake cases ).
Combine flour, bicarb soda, sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl.  Stir in sultanas and carrot.  Make a well in the centre.
Combine milk, egg and oil in a jug then pour into well.  Stir with a metal spoon until just combined.  Spoon batter into muffin cases until 2/3 full. 
Bake for 18 - 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

I sometimes heat them up for the kids and dress them up a bit by putting a swish of cream cheese over the top.

Enjoy!

Fit Mum x