Toddler Food Tuesday....Snack Time!

In my ongoing quest to get Ruby to try some new foods and textures i experimented with a couple of different snack recipes last week and thought it might be nice to share the recipes with you all!

Ruby tends to pick up new foods that have a round shape and is partial to sweet smells so i tried these Fruit and Coconut Balls...they have no sugar but taste and smell sweet due to the fruit and juice. And the coconut on the outside ensured they weren't too sticky to touch! I had some success with them...she did pick them up and smell and hold for awhile....even took a nibble which is a big achievement. Miss Teen loved them in her lunchbox though and they are a good boost in Vit C and Iron. Very easy to make....

Fruit & Coconut Balls

1/2 cup dried peaches

1/2 cup dried apricots

2 Tbsp boiling water

1/4 cup almond meal

1/2 cup dessicated coconut

1 Tbsp apple juice (or pear or orange)

2 Tbsp oat bran

1/4 cup milk powder

1/2 cup extra coconut

Pulse dried fruits in food processor or blender until finely chopped. Add boiling water and leave to soak for 15 mins.

Add the almond meal, coconut, juice, oat bran and milk powder. Blend until it forms a paste or comes together..you may need to add more juice or a little water to get the right consistency. Roll into small balls and then into extra coconut. Chill in fridge in an airtight container.

I also made some Cheeseymite and Ham and Cheese Scrolls for the toddler twosome. Tara loves her Vegemite and enjoys these from the bakery as a treat so i thought i would stock the freezer with some for lunches. Great to pop into a packed lunch too and so easy to make. They were a hit with Tara although Ruby still a little unsure. This sensory processing stuff is so frustrating at meal times but i will keep introducing some new foods each week and hope that some prove successful. She did at least pick one up instead of an immediate throw to the floor and i count that as a win!!!

We had our first visit with the occupational therapist today which was positive and for once i felt as though someone was listening to me regarding Ruby's eating difficulties...it wasn't just dismissed as a 'fussy toddler' ....you cannot imagine the relief! She definitely has some sensory processing issues around her mouth area and eating so we are going to work on that area first. Going to make a few minor adjustments to her high chair to help with posture and stability and work on some movements around her face at food time to start with.

I don't expect miracles after one session but at least i feel as though i am not so alone in this daily struggle now. I will try to share what i learn and what (if anything!) works for us as i know there are many others feeling the same way as me each meal time!

You might like to visit my Support for Sensory Processing Disorder and Feeding Difficulties Pinterest boards for some other ideas and links.

Before i get further distracted here is the scroll recipe i promised!!!

Cheeseymite and Pizza Scrolls

I just used a basic bread roll dough to make these scrolls...i also used my breadmaker to do all the hard work for me! However, if you don't have a breadmaker...no problem, you will just have to knead and let rise as you normally would if making bread. Here is the recipe i use for my bread rolls and scrolls.

310 mls water

2 Tbsp oil

1 Tsp salt

2 Tbsp sugar

4 cups Bread flour

1 egg

2 tsp yeast (i use the dry form)

Place into breadmaker pan in order as above (or hand mix and then knead...let rise once). Use dough setting in breadmaker and take out once done. Give a light knead then cut into 2 equal halves or for however many different toppings you plan to do!

Press/stretch out until a rough rectangle shape 2 cm think. For the cheeseymite scrolls i spread with vegemite and then sprinkled with grated cheese. For the pizza scrolls you can spread with pizza or tomato sauce and then sprinkle some ham and cheese for a basic scroll or add some capsicum , mushrooms etc...whatever your children like to eat! Roll into a log along the long edge and cut scrolls to 2-3 cm thickness. lay on tray with filling facing upwards and let rise for 30 mins...Bake in a hot oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

If you want larger size scrolls for adult lunchboxes don't separate the dough...roll the dough out in one piece and cut thicker segments! They are nice hot or cold!

Another snack great for morning or afternoon teas and perfect for little hands to grasp are Mini Banana Muffins. These do have a little sugar but also added fibre and low in fat. Also great to use up those mushy, black bananas!

Mini Banana Muffins

3 Tbsp butter (we use Nuttelex here and they work fine!)

1/2 cup raw sugar

2 eggs

3 ripe mashed bananas

1 cup white plain flour

3/4 cup wholemeal plain flour

11/2 Tsp baking powder

1/2 Tsp bi-carb soda

2 Tbsp Oat bran or wheatgerm

Beat butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add eggs and beat well. Add remaining ingredients and combine well. Place spoonfuls into greased mini muffin trays and bake in a moderate oven for 15-20 minutes depending on your oven.

I hope you enjoy....they are all rather yummy although they are of course for the girls.....What is your toddler's favourite homemade snack?

Warm Wishes...

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