Mango Macadamia Bliss Balls

Have you been #52NewFood-ing? I must admit I've dropped the ball a little with our change of routine in the new year. But one thing I've been wanting to get Miss M to try for a while is nuts. We've avoided them the past few years as there's been a ban on them at her centre/s but this year it's only peanut butter that's off the menu and I would love to see her enjoy the flavour and textures that abound in the variety of nuts that are readily available these days.

One thing I thought would be a sure fire win was to mix up some bliss balls with my favourite nut - macadamia. And what better to go with it than mango? I soaked the dried mango pieces (about 300g worth) in hot water for a few minutes while I blitzed a roasted 500g pack of macadamia/cashew mix. Then added the drained mango and blitzed again. My poor blender didn't like that too much so I added some of the soaking liquid but things still didn't go to plan so I removed part of the mixture and blitzed it in batches.

Miss M helped to push the mix into a cake-pop mould and I rolled the rest by hand. Rolling the finished balls in a little desiccated coconut.

These were nice and not too sweet fresh from rolling. I think there were maybe too many cashew in the mix and a more even fruit:nut ratio would have resulted in a tastier morsel.

I sent some to school with Miss M but must admit they weren't the hit I was hoping for. Regardless I will be attempting them again at some time. Maybe when I finally invest in a food processor so my poor blender doesn't shriek at me again :-)

Details of my tools & toys can be found on this page.

~J

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. This post was written for Loving Lunches & 52 New Foods Challenge who generously provided me with a copy of their book. All opinions expressed are my own, based on my personal experience with the product. This post may contain affiliate links.

Good Morning Possum

Miss M was given this beautiful book when she graduated from Kindergarten and she's started reading it again. I had all these plans of making each animal individually but I'm still working out the best way to pack her lunch for this year, so basic, basic it is!

FooDoodlers on a 'flat' sandwich show the bat, cockatoo, mouse & lizard who all came to have a nibble on Possum's plum.

Possum (FooDoodlers on cheese) finally got a bite to eat of her plum for brain break. Afternoon tea was rainbow carrots with dip in the small container.


Details of my tools & toys can be found on this page.

~J

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. This post was written for Loving Lunches. No product was received for this post. All opinions expressed are my own, based on my personal experience with the product. This post may contain affiliate links.

Cheerio Hearts

Are you ready for St Valentine's Day? Here's a little flashback to get you inspired. . .

Cheerio hearts on a be of 2 minute noodles complete with tomato sauce.What toddler isn't going to love that?


Details of my tools & toys can be found on this page.

~J

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. This post was written for Loving Lunches. No product was received for this post. All opinions expressed are my own, based on my personal experience with the product. This post may contain affiliate links.

Quick Vege Hit

Have you been #52NewFood-ing? I recently tried avocado again and perhaps our differences have been settled. :-)

Following a rough recipe I picked up at a playdate, we've been enjoying guacamole for a light lunch. Avocado, sweet chilli sauce, lime juice, salt and pepper all smushed together and served on wholegrain crispbread with fresh tomato with extra salt & pepper.

The perfect accompaniment for my all time favourite summertime drink -Gogo Juice (recipe in this previous post)

Details of my tools & toys can be found on this page.

~J

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. This post was written for Loving Lunches & 52 New Foods Challenge who generously provided me with a copy of their book. All opinions expressed are my own, based on my personal experience with the product. This post may contain affiliate links.

Advance Australia Bento

 What an exciting week we had last week. Miss M began her journey into Prep and although I'd planned a 'blue' lunch for her first day, a last minute change of plans seemed in order to celebrate Australia Day.

For 'Brain Break' I packed her favourite salami & cheese with some grapes & blueberries, inspired by our national flag.

I must admit I'm struggling a little with thinking of what to pack for her afternoon tea. Her lunch routine has changed this year and instead of morning tea where we would usually have fruit, she's now having lunch at that time, followed by afternoon tea, brain break and after school snack. 

Her lunchbox stays in the fridge for most of the day, however it sits in the playground while her class has their 'lunchtime ' play. I thought I would play it safe for her first day and packed some blue popcorn and frozen lamingtons for her afternoon tea. Lunch was a vegemite CuteZCute Cuddle Palz koala, yoghurt and some strawberries with a small flag pick. Under the sandwich is her drink bottle with milk.

I used some baking paper decorated with FooDoodlers to help her to pull the sandwich out of the box.

All served in our Nude Food Movers.

Details of my tools & toys can be found on this page.

~J

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. This post was written for Loving Lunches. No product was received for this post. All opinions expressed are my own, based on my personal experience with the product. This post may contain affiliate links.