A sweet treat...

Many health professionals will explain that high sugar high fat foods should be banned from the diet as they contain very little beneficial nutrients, lead to tooth decay and have the potential to increase weight.

I however disagree, not for physiological reasons but for psychological reasons I do feel they play a part in the diet, a small part though. I do not know a parent who at some point has not bribed their child to be quiet during a wedding or walk around the shops for an extra half hour with a sweet treat. I know Finnley’s attitude has been corrupted at times by the temptation of a special cake or a bag of chocolate buttons, and instead of using me as a climbing frame whilst I try and complete an essay he will play quietly with his train set!

The Eatwell Plate, a tool designed by The Food Standards Agency to show a healthy balanced diet even includes a small section of “naughty foods”. So I do believe that children (and adults) should never completely restrict themselves to the treat foods, but they must respect them as their name “treat”, and not hourly occurrences.

Finnley and I will make a cake or batch of cookies every other week and when it has gone, it’s gone!

So with the happiness of Christmas seeming a lifetime ago and valentine’s day passing by too quickly we decided to make some cupcakes, but these are not just any cupcakes they are specially designed and flavoured by the little man himself..I am proud to introduce Finnley’s favourite fruity cupcakes. (yes being an undergraduate Dietitian I have managed to sneak in one of his five a day through cake form!)

Finnley’s favourite fruity cupcakes

Ingredients:

·         4oz self raising flour

·         4oz reduced fat spread

·         4oz sugar

·         2 eggs

·         2 tbsp milk

For the flavours Finnley chose:

·         Strawberry jam (2 tbsp) and strawberries (10)

·         Cocoa powder (3tbsp) and coconut (2tbsp)

1.       Preheat the oven to 180oC remembering to inform Mini Chef that ovens are hot. (Never leave children unattended when cooking)

2.       Ask Mini Chef to help weight 4oz butter and 4oz sugar and cream together until light and fluffy (My mini chef says mix until the sugar disappears!)

3.       Now ask mini chef to tap the eggs and crack them into the mixture.

4.       Mini Chef should attempt to mix the eggs into the mixture

5.       Add the milk to give the mixture moisture

6.       Now slowly add the flour, mini chef should keep stirring until all flour has vanished in to the mixture.

7.       Now its time to add Mini Chefs desired flavours, my mini chef wanted two different flavours so...separate the mixture into two bowls

8.       To one bowl add jam and strawberries and mix well

9.       To the other bowl add coconut and cocoa and mix well – mini chef will love to see the mixture change colour (magic)

10.   Ask mini chef to put cake cases into a cupcake or muffin tray.

11.   Mini chef can now spoon in the mixture evenly

12.   Bake in the oven for 12-15minutes or until the cake tops are springing and leave to cool

13.   Once cool ask mini chef to choose colours for icing and let them get messy and out their artistic style on their cupcakes.

We found these great coloured chocolate buttons which makes yummy vanilla flavoured icing. They come in pink, blue, purple, speckly white and you can purchase moulds to make your own chocolate shapes too. They are from Hobbeycraft and costs £2.99 for 340g. We melted it in the microwave and added a small amount of icing sugar and piped onto the cakes. You have to work quickly though as it sets fast! Be warned - mini chefs will definitely want to lick the bowel!

Enjoy

Finnley and Mummy x

Get them to do the hard work...

Fact: 2.4 million British children are obese or overweight. When I first heard this figure I was so shocked at how parents could allow their children to get to a weight which would cause health problems in the future. Not only health problems but social issues too, we are all aware that the “fat kid” had a high chance of being bullied at school...and nobody wants that for their child.

However looking back I am guilty of setting a bad example to Finnley. There have been days where I have been stressed and exhausted and given up the dinner battle. Later allowing Finnley to nibble on crisps and biscuits.

To save stress, money and time Finnley now makes his own dinner (well assists). It can be messy and it can take more time to clean up, but it is definitely worth it. Finnley feels like he has accomplished something when he eats the lunch or dinner that he has made, this increases his self confidence as well as encouraging him to try new healthy foods. It is also a time when I get to spend some quality fun time with him. Instead of him playing with his cars in his room whilst I’m in the kitchen preparing something that he won’t eat, we get to cook and eat our food together.

Finnley’s Cheesey Cottage Pie

This superbly tasty take on a cottage pie is one that Finnley loves. It includes three different vegetable varieties as well as lean beef which is a great source of iron and cheese provides a good source of calcium, essential for bone strength and growth.

You will need (makes two mini portions):

·         5 mushrooms

·         ½ leek

·         100g chopped tomatoes

·         125g lean beef mince

·         30g half fat cheese

·         Dried basil

·         Medium sized potato

·         2 tbsp milk

1.         Chop potato and ask mini chef to place in water. Cover and boil

2.         Chop vegetables and place in different bowls so your mini chef can see the different colour.

3.         Heat a pan and make sure your mini chef understands NEVER to touch the pan (do not leave children unattended during cooking)

4.         Ask mini chef to add leeks to pan and stir with a wooden spoon. Using a wooden spoon ensure the handle won’t get hot.

5.         Next mini chef adds the mushrooms and beef mince and stirs.

6.         Mini chef now adds the chopped tomatoes and basil

7.         Keep stirring until mince is browned and divide between two serving bowls

8.         Drain potatoes and place in cool bowel, ask mini chef to add milk and mash with fork.

9.         Add potatoes to bowel and ask mini chef to fork a pattern into the top.

10.     Hold the grater and get mini chef to grate cheese on top of the bowels.

11.     If mini chef wants to eat it immediately place under grill until cheese browns or leave to cool, cover and place in fridge until tea time!

Enjoy

Finnley and Mummy x