Opeie's Top 3 Vegan Gluten Free Snacks.

Opeie's been asking for 'snack time please' the last few weeks. It's nice that he's able to tell us when he'd like something to eat and when he's hungry or thirsty in detail. Last week I was trying to think of things whilst doing our shopping that he could eat on the go that were portable for the car journeys we do.

One of the nicest products we've found lately are the Nairns Gluten Free Oat Biscuits -  I found them in Tesco £1.60 a box.

Since Opeie's having trouble with gluten It's been hard to find things he likes , the fruit ones are Opeie and Daddy's favorites, where as I like both the fruit and the syrup. I love all of Nairns products though, I eat around 12 of their oatcakes a day as they help me stay energised being complexed carbohydrates  ( this means they don't give you a quick burst of energy, like a spike in your energy levels, then a quick slump.... they give you a steady source of energy which keeps you feeling full and energised for longer) everywhere I go I seem to take oatcakes, I have them for breakfast with hummus and guacamole or salsa before work, or nut butters and anything else I can pile on! I think Oats are also one of the keys to my weight-loss success. - this post wasn't meant to become about my love of oatcakes and oats, but it has.... ummm Nairns.

Opeie's other favorite is  Kallo Blueberry & Vanilla ricecakes, these are delicious on their own, with mashed bananas spooned on, sliced strawberries, or co-yo yoghurt ( and chia seeds for me ) I found these in Tesco £1.69

Like his Moma he also loves Nakd bars which for a small bar are packed with around 4g protein per bar. They're made soley out of nuts and fruit. The perfect portable snack! Tesco now sell them in multipacks too which is handy.

So there you have it, Opeie's top three gluten free, vegan snacks we managed to get whilst out on a shopping trip this week.

Healthy Courgette Zucchini Vegan Sushi Style Snack Idea for RAW vegans

Sometimes if I'm not that hungry and I just want a snack rather than a meal I make these " Sushi" courgette wraps that are totally raw , delicious and nutritious . 

To make them it's really easy , you just need a julienne slicer or one of the cheese slicers we have.

Slice the courgettes and lay them on a plate, mill fresh sea salt over them to take away the bitterness and leave for 30 mins • I usually make more than I need so I have some in the fridge ready to eat with other things •

Make the filling you'd like, I normally have home made guacamole - it's dense in loads of good fats, oils, protein, and vitamins . I'm sure most people have made guacamole , but invade you haven't : 

In a food processor:

2 or 3 avacardos - flesh scooped out / destoned 

2 chopped tomatoes (de-brained) 

One white onion sliced 

2 tbsp lemon juice 

Salt & pepper

Blitz in a food processor until its how you like it . I like mine chunky. 

I also like to have some Marigold B12 inactive yeast on hand so that I can sprinkle it on the courgette & guacamole before I roll it up . 

• note - wash the salt off the courgettes , and pat then dry , before you roll them up as they will be too salty •

These are really nice for picnics , work snacks , and for apertisers at a BBQ or party . 

Raw vegan toddler snack ideas - Offering plate | Lunch | Dinner | snacks | Preschool

 Opeie can be picky when it comes to food. He loves cooked , mashed up vegetables that we make for him , but you can't have the same meal every single meal time .

I was reading on Dr Sears the other day about toddler meals and a balanced diet when I read something that basically said  as a parent we shouldn't aim for a balanced meal or day , BUT a balanced week of foods . Toddlers change their minds so frequently that you give them something on Monday and they can't get enough of it , and by Wednesday it's the most gross thing ever!

Opeie is strong willed, testing , and confident. He knows what he likes and pretends to know what he doesn't like - even if he's never even seen/ or tastes it before. 

I came up with idea a while ago to introduce " offering plates " to Opeie throughout the day , so he has something to eat , but at his pace and he gets to choose what he has. 

So far it's gone down well . He's been eating most of the food on the plates , so I've been happier .

 Opeie's really taken to eating from the 'Food Offering Plates' which are just silicone moulds, which I'm super happy about.  It's nice for him to be able to choose from a selection of foods I think, and have lots of different flavours and textures to try.

Babies ( and all humans really ) are better off not just having 3 'square' meals a day, we're better off eating every 2 hours, to keep your metabolism steady, and your energy levels up - I do this , and love it, as I get to eat more! Ha ha!

Opeie's been having 2 or 3 offering trays between his 'set' meals, but today as he'd eaten quite alot for breakfast and during the mornings snack offering trays, I decided to do his lunch on one, as he has a small tummy and we couldn't expect him to eat lots, he's also had quite alot of breastfeeds during the morning too.

Opeie seems to be really enjoying the new food experience, and he likes playing with the small sections, moving the food around as he eats it, and dipping bits.

His favourite are the raw peanut butter cups, and gluten free bread sticks, along with fruit, houmous and pretzels.

Spending time together | parenting | Date night | Vegan UK Mom

As parents we all love spending time as a family , all together . We have amazing holidays , amazing days out , great times with the boys and our friends , picnics , time with grand parents ...

However , I do miss just " us " time . Time where were able just to go out, get glammed up, have a meal out, or go to a hotel , without a care in the world . 

When Pauly and I first met , we'd spend the weekends Seth was seeing his Dad going out, having romantic time alone.

The other day while I was at work , I came up with the idea of date night - a simple meal for us when the boys are in bed , with no distractions - no tv , no phones on , unless of course one if the boys wakes up , it was just us . Just Pauly and I.

We had our second "Date Night" last night , it was lovely . A toy free living room , just us having a chat , sounds a little mean , but sometimes were just glad to have a little us time . We don't feel it's for us to leave the boys with other family members as they're too little , so for now this is the perfect solution to us missing nights out . 

How do you & your spouse like to spend time together ? What do you like to do together ? ( we like playing Marvel vs Capcom - I always win ) 

Do share ! 

Protein Fruity Toddler Crispy Snacks ( Vegan , gluten free )

I've been trying to device a recipe for the boys - one that is high in protein, good fats, and tasty !

1/4 cup coconut dessicated

1/2 cup of your child's favourite dried fruits I used 1/4 raisins and 1/4 orange/apple/cherry 

1/4 cup Brazil nuts 

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds & sunflower seeds

3tbsp agave 

1 cup puffed rice ( Kallo organic gluten free) 

2/3 of a bar moo free chocolate . 

3 organic medjool dates

In a bowl over boiling water - melt the Moo free

Combine everything else without the fruit , puffed rice and agave in a processor

Once combined & chopped add fruits and agave

It should swirl around until it makes a ball like this :

Put in the freezer for 5 minutes to firm up .

Then once chocolate is melted add the mixture to the Moo free chocolate & stir in the puffed rice . 

Then with a helper if you have one , press  into a silicone mould or into paper cases.

Put in the freezer for 10 mins or top shelf in the fridge . I added some lolly sticks as a experiment and they worked a treat .