5 super-quick kiddie snacks that are healthy AND yummy August 28, 2017 10:45

I like to give the kiddo nutritious food that appeals to his developing tastebuds.  I am also rather lazy.  Thankfully, with the too-easy recipes in this Pur'itsy blog post, these are not mutually exclusive conditions.  And I assure you, these healthy and tasty snacks will charm even the most 'discerning' toddler!

1. Overnight oats

Based on the concept of bircher muesli, overnight oats are simply oats mixed with yummy ingredients and soaked overnight to make them edible without cooking!  Put this together the night before and pop it into the fridge to provide your children with ready fuel the next day!

Source: www.jaroflemons.com

We like to combine oats with a variety of add-ons for texture and a good mix of nutrients, like:

• wholegrain puffs (like spelt or buckwheat),
• dried fruit (think raisins, dates or wolfberries),
• seeds (chia, flax or pumpkin works well), 
• chopped nuts (macadamias or almonds are nice), and
• other flavourful additions like coconut flakes or peanut butter. 

[But really, it can just be a very convenient mixture of whatever you have in your pantry and fridge.]

For those of you looking for more precise proportions or a recipe to guide your first attempt, try this:

Makes for a quick and substantial breakfast too!

2. Chia pudding

Soaking chia seeds in milk (whichever kind rocks your boat) creates a lovely pudding made all the sweeter by the sheer effortlessness of the recipe.  

Just stir 2 tablespoons of chia seeds into half a cup of milk, and chill for an hour till it achieves your desired texture.  Feel free to sweeten with maple syrup, or flavour with a dash of vanilla extract, if needed.  

When ready, top the pudding with whatever fresh fruit/nuts/seeds you have at hand - or enjoy it on its own!

3. Fruit popsicles

Source: www.jaroflemons.com

Instead of making popsicles out of sugary fruit juice, try pairing fruit with yoghurt for an added protein and calcium boost!

Simply layer spoonfuls of yoghurt with fresh fruit pieces (like mango or berries), lightly sweeten with some honey or maple syrup if need be, stick in something to hold the finished popsicle by (like an ice cream stick), and throw into the freezer for a hour or two.

And oh, there's no need to go out and buy special popsicle molds!  You can certainly find something suitable to use as container in your cupboards - we've found muffin tins and ramekins perfect for a kid-friendly portion size.  Just briefly place the container in a hot water bath to loosen the popsicle for serving!

4. Green smoothie

Want to up the vegetable intake, specifically, for that picky eater?  Fruit-and-vegetable smoothies (aka green smoothies) are a good trick to keep up your sleeve.

Toss a bunch of greens (milder-flavoured ones like baby spinach or romaine lettuce tend to find favour more easily) with fruits, chia seeds and your choice of milk into a blender, and blitz into naturally-sweetened liquid goodness!  Here are two versatile recipes you can play with -

• With avocado as base

• With banana as base

And I know we said these are for the kids but, hey, the adults in our office/homes love them too - so enjoy! 

And while you're in the kitchen, why not prep up some pampering treats for yourself too using the easy recipes featured here?