BREAKFAST: Three Caribbean Inspired Recipes for Children

Today marks the start of Caribbean Food Week and to help celebrate it I have put together three delicious recipes that make a totally tropical breakfast or even sweet treats for dessert. Caribbean food is full of flavour with ingredients such as coconut, mango, pineapple and jerk seasoning all working together to create refreshingly flavoursome meals. A lot of the Caribbean recipes you find on the internet are full of spice, which is absolutely delicious for us adults but children may not appreciate it so much. This is why I decided to put together a Caribbean breakfast for Isabella and Poppy, filled with Caribbean fruits and flavours they love.

RECIPE: Carrot, Apple and Raisin Breakfast Cookies

Who wouldn't want a cookie for breakfast? Isabella is certainly up for 'biscuit' at breakfast time and these ones are full of fruit/vegetable goodness so I let her indulge. She especially enjoys these spread with a little bit of 100% peanut butter or dipped into natural yogurt. These breakfast cookies are beautifully sweet, with a crunchy outside and softer centre. They're also perfect for on-the-go or as a child friendly snack. I love using Sweet Freedom Fruit Syrup in baking, but you could replace this with honey if you prefer. I love having this as a quick breakfast and because they're full of fruit/vegetables they're a healthier option too.

#LITTLELOVES: Birthday Celebrations, French Toast and Spring Vibes

This week hasn't been the best if I'm honest, we've had some very sad news from my husband's side of the family and its meant we've been a bit all over the place. Sad news aside I had my 28 week midwife appointment, which included a length 2 hour wait as I turned up to my appointment to find the hospital had completely shut down and that all appointments were at a new hospital on the other side of town. Eventually I had my appointment with one of the nicest  midwives I've ever encountered, it was just a shame I was trying to rush as I needed to get back to work! Everything was measuring ok, baby's heartbeat was strong and off I went with a new pee pot (oh the glamour).

RECIPE: {No Added Sugar} Peanut Butter Granola

I made this granola recipe up one evening, no prior shopping or planning so it's truly a store cupboard creation. It's full of goodness, with no added sugar and so versatile. Granola is typically jammed full of sugar, which is such a shame as it could be a healthy, nutrition filled breakfast option. So I was thinking about how I could create a baby friendly granola with no sugar/honey/maple syrup but still keeping it seriously tasty. By combining pureed apples and mashed banana you have a naturally sweet mixture that I used to coat the porridge oats.

WEANING: 25 Breakfast Ideas for Babies and Toddlers

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day - how many times have you heard that? I love breakfast on my days off work because I can cook up something tasty for Isabella and I. Breakfast on my days at work usually consist of cold toast wolfed down before rushing out of the door. I've put together 24 tasty breakfast ideas that you and your little ones can enjoy either at home or on the go.

WEANING: Spiced Apple Wedges with Greek Yogurt and Blueberry Compote

 

This is a simple, healthy and quick breakfast to whip up for your little one in the morning. By cooking the apple wedges slightly they become caramelised in their natural sugars and it means that Isabella is able to actually eat it rather than just chew at raw apple. As with most of the recipes I put on here you can mix it up - add different berries to the blueberries, use pear wedges instead of apple etc. 

RECIPE: Apple Bircher Muesli

 

 This is an ideal quick breakfast for those mornings you should have left the house five minutes ago, as it's ready to go and super tasty. All you have to do in place all of the ingredients into a container the night before, leave it to do its thing overnight and enjoy with a sprinkle of mixed nuts/dried fruit in the morning. I always make this for Isabella in a jam jar because that way I don't even need a spoon to mix it the night before. This recipe isn't exclusive to weaning babies, adults can enjoy it too. I prefer to add a squeeze of Sweet Freedom for a bit of sweetness, though since weaning Isabella I always feel so bad not letting her having sugar while I'm sprinkling everything and anything with the stuff!

WEANING: Tropical coconut pancakes with a mango purèe

 

Happy Pancake Day!! 

In honour of Pancake Day this week's weaning recipe is a {no added sugar} tropical twist on classic american pancakes. It's the perfect way for your little one to explore different textures and flavours, just try not to eat them all yourself! If you do happen to have any pancakes left over just place them into a freezer bag and pop in the freezer. You can then defrost them overnight or in the microwave for a quick breakfast option. Every day can be pancake day now!