I have had a few wins in the toddler food department lately and as feeding the toddler twosome is currently quite stressful, i thought it might be nice to share a couple of good moments!
I recently brought ‘Feeding Fussy Kids' which you can learn more about here if interested and i am just so rapt with this recipe book! I have so many feeding toddler and baby type recipe books and they are all much the same….not great for Ruby who still does not do much finger food other than crunchy type crackers, crispbread etc and prefers her meat and veg still mashed!
This book has some wonderfully sneaky ideas to help boost iron, protein and vitamins using foods that the toddler will already often eat whether in snack form, crunchy, soft or just sweet!. I could go on but this isn't a book review, i just wanted to share a little of my excitement (can you tell that getting Ruby to eat something other than crackers may be taking over my life a little at the moment…..i don't really get out much either come to think of it……)
Ah well, i am getting distracted thinking about my lost social life! Back to the food…I started with some basic snacks that pack a punch of goodness undetected by the fussy toddler!
Healthy Choc Mini Muffins
2 Eggs
1/2 cup oil
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup broccoli finely grated
1/2 cup zucchini finely grated
1/2 cup white self raising flour
1/2 cup wholemeal SR flour
3Tbsp Cocoa powder 1 teasp baking powder
1 Tblsp low fat milk.
Whisk eggs, oil and sugar together in large bowl. Add vegetables, flours, cocoa, baking powder and milk and mix well.
Spoon into greased (or paper lined) mini muffin trays and bake in a moderate oven for 15-20 minutes.
Have you had any wins when feeding your toddler? Do you have any ideas for dinner food that is crunchy and perhaps round that i might try for Ruby? Love to hear your thoughts as always!
After visiting some fantastic blogs joining in with the Kid's Co-Op linky last week i see that i wasn't the only one with food on my mind!
Make Do and Friend made these fantastic Fruit Kabobs with a little pot of gold at the end to celebrate St Patrick's Day….if only my twins would give them a try…they look like so much fun to make!
B. Inspired Mama joined with her kids in the kitchen to make these yummy looking Banana Bear Puddings
And Taming the Goblin kept the illness blues away with comfort food and baking fun at it's best…..i just loved the pictures of little goblin making these Easter Egg Nests
Time now to link up for this week….i can't wait to see what gems i discover this time! Please link any play, activity or craft post from toddlers to teens and enjoy visiting other fellow bloggers for inspiration! You can also visit the new Kid's Co-Op Facebook page to look through an album featuring all of the participating Kid's Co-Op hosts' own blogs….and who knows…perhaps you could be featured on one or more of them next week!!!
Have fun linking up and enjoy your weekend!!
Warm Wishes…
So glad you have had some success in the eating department. One of the best books I’ve read was “My Child Won’t Eat” – it is published by La Leche international. At the time, I was being hounded by the child health nurse because Ginger wasn’t gaining weight at the rate she should. The book gave me the peace of mind to trust my own wisdom in knowing Ginger was getting enough food and nutrition (Dr Gonzales argument is that provided you give your child healthy food options they will eat what they need for their own health). It turns out she is just a slight child. These days she eats lots in the morning and hardly anything at night:)
Oh, and Ginger is still a meat spitter too. Chicken is about all she will eat un-obliterated. And that, has only been very recently.
I may have to look that one up, sounds interesting…thanks for the tip! I can already see that Tara is going to love her food and probably take after me (poor love!) wheras Ruby seems to stop immediately when full and has a much smaller appetite…very interesting really!
At least Ginger is trying some chicken now….yay!!!
Jode, one of my fussier eaters loved liverwurst on bread or toast! Go figure!
Oh my goodness, i can’t even stand the smell of that so don’t think i will be able to try that one, lol! But isn’t that interesting…you really can’t pick what they will like can you?
one time I made zucchini brownies..I wouldn’t recommend it.
I just mentioned that recipe book in my previous comment, oops, it is a great book isn’t it. I made those muffins too, very tricky and yummy too no one knew what was in them except me;) Both of the girls are a little fussy, the big one not as much these days but I find plain food their favourite, a roast, spaghetti, fish and chips and salad. xx
When my son was eating mashed food I would always mix baby multigrian cereal and Greek yogurt in it to make sure he was getting enough iron an protein. Does daughter like spreads on her crackers? Maybe Greek yogurt, avocado, or coconut oil and cinnamon? Maybe shredding some veggies in her crackers? Good luck momma I’ll be trying your recipes for my son!:)
I pinned these! Gonna have to try to make some for my picky eater. He loves chocolate and hates veggies. Hopefully this will be a hit!
Instead of using the 1/2C of the two different flours, do you think you could just use 1C of regular all purpose flour? What are your thoughts? Thanks! (Trying to save some $$ and use ingredients I already have 🙂
You could definitely just use one cup of flour rather than 2 different ones…i have when i have run out and they still work fine, just don’t have as much fibre in the muffin! I think your all purpose flour is equivalent to our plain flour? If i’m right i would add another teasp of baking powder to help them rise….otherwise ignore me if i have that wrong!!Good luck with them…thanks for stopping by x
Hello! Probably a stupid question, but the broccoli and zuccini have to be cooked right? Want to make these today for my picky little girl. Thanks so much
So sorry i missed this comment but for anyone else reading through you don’t need to cook the broccoli and zucchini before adding…because they are grated they cook in the cake.
I love the zuchinni and brocolli muffins. i just made them for my daughter and she can’t get enough of them. She has no idea. I did change the recipe around some. I added mini chocolate chips to the batch. This is a great idea. I can’t wait to try the ham, cheese and veggies muffins!!!!
I’m so glad you liked the muffins Amber!!Feels so good watching them eat the goodies and not knowing doesn’t it!!Hope you have as much success with the ham, cheese and vegie muffins!!
Just made the muffins. My 2yo keeps asking for more 😉
Jodie, I appreciate that you respond to your commenters. That means so much to me. Now I know 1) raw is fine, & 2) that I can find a recipe for ham, cheese, & veggie muffins.
My question– I’m assuming the 2nd cup of flour is whole wheat flour, right? I just grind mine, & that would be fine for the fiber, right?
Thirdly, email me if you’d like a recipe for banana & pecan bran muffins; we love them, & use 3rds of whole wheat & white flour & oats. [email protected]
Hi Kimberley…Yes, the flour is whole wheat, your own grinded would be fantastic and certainly add to the fibre. If you feel they become to dry i would lower to 3/4 cup or even add a little apple sauce to the mix.
Love the sound of your muffins…will certainly email you!
Banana Bran Muffins:
1 c bran flakes (I do NOT use bran cereal due to hydrogenated oils & high fructose corn syrup in them; I get my bran at Sprouts)
1/4 c milk
1 c bananas, mashed or applesauce (I’ve never tried the applesauce version)
1/3 c oil
1 egg
1 1/2 flour as follows– 3/4 c white flour, 1/4 c oats, 1/2 c whole wheat flour
1 T baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 T cinnamon
2 t vanilla
1/3 c brown sugar
1 c pecans, chopped
Preheat Oven to 350. Mix wet ingredients separately than dry ingredients, then add wet mixture to dry mixture. Spray muffin tins or muffin cups in tins (we do the latter), scoop in batter. Cook 15-20 min. until inserted toothpick comes out clean. I think the pecans make the muffins, and I don’t even need butter with them.
Next up, our whole wheat waffle recipe.
Thanks for the choc. muffin recipe, I enjoyed it and am glad it’s satisfying. The kids liked them too. Woot!
Whole Wheat Waffles
4 c whole wheat flour
1 1/2 t salt
2 T baking powder
1/3 c sugar
4 c water
6 eggs, separated
1/3 c oil
1 T cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg
1/3 c nonfat dried powdered milk
1 c pecans or walnuts, chopped
Separate eggs, putting yolks in a bowl big enough for other wet ingredients. Whip egg whites w/ a mixer until fluffy with stiff peaks.
Mix dry ingredients, combine with wet mixture (whisked water, egg yolks, & oil).
Fold in egg whites very gently. Leave lumps.
Spray waffle iron & cook. Makes a lot. Freeze the leftovers. They make for GREAT “quickie” breakfasts when you thaw or toast a piece and eat it on the run.
Random– I also use a pampered Chef round sandwich cutter that makes bread look like uncrustables, and make & freeze my own with whole wheat bread.
Hi! My two kids have severe egg allergies. I was wondering if you have any suggestions as to how I could replace them on this recipe? I would love to make these for them.
Thanks
What is LSA mix?
Hi, I was wondering in the chocolate muffins is the broccoli cooked? Or you just shred raw broccoli?