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.

GRAZE.COM | GOODY BOX For Children Review

 Finally... a Healthy, Fun snack for kids!

I just wanted to share the boys new love for the Graze.com's Goodybox for Kids! Seth and Opeie absolutely love it when they drop through the letter box! They are so good due to introducing the boys to things we don't tend to buy like different types of salsas, chutneys, dried mango and lots of lovely other bits. 

Seth for example, always says he 'doesn't like' dried Coconut, but because of the fun packaging and quirky game inside he didn't even question what was in it, just munched it all down.

Opeie also loved the things he had, the dried fruit, cherries, pineapple and mango especially.

If you're travelling alot, out for the day or just want to give your children more interesting snacks, which are healthy , hip and fun, which they'll love, try them! You can pick pick how often they arrive weather it's daily, weekly , monthly etc, and which things you'd like and which items you would like to try, or don't want at all.

I want to try the adult ones, more of the children's ones for the boys, and the breakfast boxes!

Thanks Graze.Com for being so helpful- the boys love them , and as a Moma, I can pick which things I am happy for them to have lots of a little of.

( Some of the snacks have dairy/eggs etc in but the great thing is, you can opt out of them! Happy Days! )

 

---- I ordered and purchased the Graze boxes from Graze.Com for my children to enjoy, I haven't been paid etc , I just love sharing my favorite things with you! ---

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.

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 .