Funs foods are our emotional need

The answer to fearless offerings is not to eliminate the foods that are everywhere but to learn & teach kids the Art of Balance.

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We all believe foods are legal and can fit into a healthy diet. Children of all ages need and assortment of foods from the different food groups to meet this nutritional needs.

We all crave for ice scream.. Don’t we?

As delicious as eating healthy can be, we all still crave for our favorite  junk foods. If you ‘re trying to offer  healthy but dont want to give up the sweeter side of life, I will not take  much of your time & take you straight away to dig into the recipes!! No gyan,  only indulgence:)

Here you go & find the 8 new versions of your favorite fun foods.

Chocolate Popsicles

No kid can resist a frozen treat ! Make your own & you will know they are healthy.

Ingredients you need:

• 2 bananas
• 60 grams nut butter
• 60 ml coconut milk
• 2tbs cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp sugar

 Method:

1. Whizz all the ingredients  in a food processor to combine.
2. Pour into the ice block molds and add the sticks, then freeze until set.

Homemade  Burgers

These homemade burgers are finger licking, but healthy too. The chicken is baked not fried, meaning its better for you, plus you can add as many veggies as you want. Yum!

Ingredients you need:

• 1 large chicken breasts fillets
• 1/2 cup plain flour
• 2 eggs beaten
• 1/2 cup grated zucchini
• 1/2 cup broccoli
• 1 cup cornflake crumbs
• 1 slice cheddar cheese
• 2 small tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded ice burg lettuce
• 1-2  tbsp. mayo
• 1 multigrain bun

Method:

1. Slice chicken breasts in half lengthways then cut each piece in two. Put the flour on a large square of baking paper, the eggs in a small bowl and the cornflake crumbs on another square of baking paper. Coat the chicken pieces in flour, dust off, dip in egg wash and then coat in corn flakes crumbs. Place the coated chicken pieces onto a baking tray lined with baking paper. Keep in fridge for 30 mins.
2.  Preheat the oven to 180 degree and bake the chicken for 15-20 mins until cooked through. Slice the buns, spread mayo, top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese. Place one or two piece of chicken on the rest of the filling and lastly the top bun.

Rich Strawberry Muffins

Muffins are perfect year-round for a quick breakfast on-the-go or a sweet addition to school lunches.

Ingredients you need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup applesauce (unsweetened)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups strawberries (washed, dried, and chopped)

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180degree.
2. Lightly spray a muffin pan, or use paper liners.
3. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. With a mixer, beat the butter for 30 seconds, until light and fluffy.
5. Add the applesauce, sugar, eggs, and vanilla, and mix until combined.
6. Add the flour mixture, and mix until combined.
7. With a wooden spoon, or spatula, fold in the chopped strawberries.
8. Divide the batter among the baking cups, and sprinkle the tops with turbinado sugar, if using.
9. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
10. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Healthy Homemade Cocoa Puffs

This healthy homemade cocoa puffs recipe tastes just like a crunchy chocolate milkshake, without the unhealthy bits. Its perfect as a weekend treat, the kids will really enjoy this healthy delight.

Ingredients you need:

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 tbsp. cocoa
• 1 tbsp. organic honey
• 1 1/2 cups puffed rice

Method:

1. Place almond milk, cocoa, and organic honey into a blender. Blend or shake until well combined.
2. Distribute puff rice equally in 2 bowls. Pour milk mixture over the puffed rice, grab a spoon and start eating your bowl of crunchy chocolate milkshake.

Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Brownie

Dark and rich, moist and fluffy, this chocolate brownie is amazingly healthy. These brownies have half the sweetener, only a smidge of butter and pumpkin for moisture.

Ingredients you need:

• 400 grams pumpkin, skin on and roughly chopped
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• pinch salt
• 1/3 cocoa
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1/4 dark chocolate chips
• 2 large eggs
• 160 ml organic honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. Seam pumpkin and puree it & keep aside. Sift flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa together in a bowl.
2. Melt butter and chocolate in a small non stick pan on a low heat.
3. Whisk eggs and add honey and vanilla extract. Add pumpkin puree and chocolate mixture. Stir to combine and fold through dry ingredients until just combined and pour into baking pan.

Bake for 20 mins, remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

Jaggery Popcorns

Sweet popcorn recipe using jaggery is one of my favorite popcorn recipe that I tried recently.

Ingredients you need:

• 1/4 cup popcorn kernels
• 1/4 cup jaggery(tightly packed)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 tsp vanilla essence(optional)

Method:

1. Measure jaggery and add it in a pan, add water and dissolve it well.
2. Heat it up for 2 mins just for the jaggery to get dissolved. Strain to remove impurities.
3. Make sure to buy popcorn kernels and not normal corn kernels. Take a thick bottomed pan with lid, add oil to it. Swirl the pan so that oil is evenly distributed. Heat oil in medium flame, then add 2 corn kernels.
4. It will pop up in few seconds. This is the right temperature we need. Now add all the popcorn kernels.
5. Add it, give a quick stir and cover it with a lid. Simmer the flame. Now lift the pan from flame and shake it for 2 seconds then place in flame. Repeat this until all the kernels are popped out. Once the popping sound is stopped, you can switch off flame and remove it. Set aside.
6. Now the popcorn is ready, Set aside. If you wat you can add butter to hot popcorn and set aside. Heat jaggery syrup until it bubbles up and becomes thick. Add vanilla essence to it.
7. Consistency check : Keep a separate plate ready filled with little water. Take a drop of jaggery syrup and put it in water, it should stand firm and not dissolve as shown below. Now try to gather and roll, it should form a firm ball, this is the right stage.
8. Switch off and add popcorn to the syrup. Mix until the syrup is coated well. Spread on a butter paper and allow it to cool down. After that if you want you can break down if it is sticking.

Healthy Beetroot Pancakes

Isn’t the most beautiful natural food color. Its a great way to sneak some extra veg into you and your family’s diet.

Ingredients you need:

• 2 small beets
• 200grams, plain flour or almond flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 2-3 tsps. honey 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 250 ml /cup milk

Method:

1. Steam the beets in a steamer until they are soft. Once cooked blend with milk to a puree consistency.
2. Add the flour and other ingredients to a large bowl. In a separate bowl  mix together the eggs, honey and vanilla extract.
3. Add the beets puree to the egg mixture and whisk until combined.
4. Add this mixture to the flour and whisk until you get the perfect pancake consistency.
5. Melt butter and in a pan over a low heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes either sides.
6. Drizzle with honey or cream cheese.

Easy Corn Chips

Get the kids in the kitchen making ingredients for healthier chips that’s lower in fat, then put bowls and plates on the table for a family DIY dinner! Follow the directions on the bag of corn flour(not to be confused by corn meal, which is what I thought I needed to corn tortillas.

Ingredients you need:

• 1 cup instant corn flour
• 2/3 cup water
• 1/8 tsp salt

Method:

1. Knead the flour, make  balls and roll it to chapati size.
2. Place it on a baking sheet, brush it  with olive oil. sprinkled with salt and cut it with a crinkle cutter and a pizza wheel.
3.  Set them in the oven at 180 degree for at least 10 mins, for chips flip over and bake over 3-4 mins more.
4. Serve with homemade dips or with your favorites.

The takeaway

So make the effort and make your fun foods more healthier and more delicious. Our brains are weird to eat a variety of foods. Your trap of eating unhealthy and suppressing your desires to eat your favorite, feel like you are in a   vicious cycle of eating junk.  By following the simple recipes, you can break the cycle today and lead a healthier life and enjoying your favorite at the same time.

Happy Cooking!!