For a long time I used to wrap potatoes in foil and put them in the oven whenever we fancied baked potatoes.
Then I became aware of the health risks of aluminum foil in cooking and decided to try a different method. And I am so glad I did because this produces the best baked potato ever!
It’s not easy to prepare a healthy and creative lunchbox when it has to be portable, nut-free (school policy) and liked by fussy eaters. A great deal of preparation is required that includes shopping for ingredients and night-before arrangements. I often prepare Georgie’s lunchbox about the same time I make dinner which tends to lighten the morning load. I also like to set aside an afternoon or morning during the week and weekend when I can cook/bake/prepare a dish that can be stored in the fridge for a few days. These dishes include pasta, boiled eggs and roasted chicken.
I often have an intense craving for scrambled eggs. But I can’t always decide with what. I know cheese is an obvious choice but here in Cyprus we like to team our eggs with veggies such as tomatoes, spinach and courgettes. And I really like that.
I happen to like it so much that on more than one occasion I have made all three in one go. My plate looked phenomenal teamed with a kale and avocado salad.
Last week I received a message from a frustrated mother regarding her son’s eating habits. She explained that breakfast seemed to be a particularly difficult meal of the day for her as she was running low on options and ideas. I’ve noticed that breakfast can be challenging for many parents. It really needn’t be as long as there’s some planning ahead involved and you’re able to see beyond the basics like cereals and bread. Go ahead and experiment. It’s something you definitely will not regret.
I can breeze through the sweets aisle at the supermarket when Georgie is with me. You see, we’ve talked about it and worked long and hard enough for him to know what I’m ok with him choosing at what not.
But the cereal aisle. Man! Completely different situation.
In fact it may actually be far worse than the sweet aisle. The colourful packaging, the chocolate coating, the superheroes and the princesses and all that hidden sugar. And then of course comes the inevitable question: ‘But mummy its breakfast cereal! It’s not sweets! Why can’t I have it?’