Category: Health & Nutrition

Afternoon Tea with Annabel Karmel

Lydia | July 12, 2013

Last Saturday I was invited to attend the launch of Annabel Karmel’s new App Annabel’s Essential Guide to Feeding Your Baby & Toddler at the Apple iStore in Regent Street.

The event was hosted by TV and radio presenter Jenni Falconer. Annabel talked about being a mother, coping with fussy eaters and how she began writing recipe books. Her career takes her all over the world as she continues to educate and encourage millions of parents on how to create simple and healthy meals for baby, toddler and child.

Annabel gave a demo of her new App which includes 200 healthy recipe ideas, handy meal planners that you can personalise to suit your family, a shopping list feature and videos showing how to prepare food. This App ensures you’ll never be stuck for ideas at mealtimes. There’s a handy section on Tips and Advice covering everything from foods for babies and toddlers to allergies and batch cooking.

Since Imogen was a baby I’ve read the range of Annabel Karmel Booksand found them helpful as easy reference guides to weaning and now for generating toddler meal ideas.

I met a wonderful group of bloggers at this event and after the launch we all sauntered in the London sun to 5th View in Piccadilly to have afternoon tea with Annabel Karmel and her lovely team.

My Tuna Nicoise Salad

Lydia | July 2, 2013

This week’s Family Meal is a delicious, healthy and tasty take on a Tuna Nicoise Salad.

When I made this salad the weather was still cooler than usual for summer so I left out the iceberg lettuce and substituted it for some broccoli which makes the Tuna Nicoise Salad more filling. And instead of boiled potatoes I lightly roasted some potatoes with onion and garlic cloves to give the salad an extra kick.

Serves 4

Prep Time 5 mins. Cooking Time 20 mins.

You’ll Need:

4 Free Range Eggs
6 New Potatoes
1 head of Broccoli
1 Red Onion
3 Cloves of Garlic
1 large tin of Tuna in Spring Water
Pitted Olives (if children are eating the meal)
Dried Herbs
Drizzle of Olive Oil
Lemon

Let’s Make My Tuna Nicoise Salad

1. Pre heat the oven to 190 degrees Celcius. Wash and chop the Potatoes into small cubes. Boil until soft (approx 15 – 20 minutes).

2. Boil the eggs until hard (approx 15 minutes).

3. Boil or steam the Broccoli for a couple of minutes until tender.

4. Chop the Red Onion and Garlic.

5. Put the Potato, Garlic and Onion into an oven dish and lightly mix with a drizzle of Olive Oil. Add a sprinkle of Dried Herbs onto the Potato for extra flavour. Roast for approx 20 minutes or until the potatoes have turned golden.

6. Add the cooked vegetables into a salad bowl.

7. Open the tin of Tuna and drain the spring water. Add the Tuna to the salad.

8. Peel the Boiled Eggs and cut into half or quarters and add to the salad.

9. Add Pitted Olives (only if children are old enough to eat Olives).

10. Squeeze a little fresh Lemon juice onto the salad for taste.

Enjoy! This recipe is superb as a summer or winter family meal.

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Week

Lydia | July 1, 2013

The first week of July is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Week. It is a time when leading organisations aim to highlight the impacts of childhood obesity and request the Government take action to focus on reducing obesity in children, for the health of our nation.

Awareness of childhood obesity and the risks it brings can help parents make better choices for their children. There is a much greater chance that overweight children will become overweight adults, when compared to children who maintain a normal weight throughout adolescence.

Childhood obesity heightens the risk of serious illnesses during childhood and increases the risk of developing long-term health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and several types of cancer.

As a parent there is plenty that you can do to help your child maintain a healthy weight with the support of healthcare professionals and schools. Many teaching institutions now provide an environment where your child can learn about nutrition and health.

Healthy living starts at home and children learn first and foremost from their parents.

Here are some easy ways to assist your child to achieve a healthy weight:

1. Monitor your child’s weight. The ‘red book’ you are given when your baby is born contains useful charts for reviewing your child’s weight, height and development. Always seek professional help if you are concerned about any aspect of your child’s health and development.

2. Encourage your child to exercise and have fun outdoors every day.

3. Feed your child a healthy diet high in vegetables, fruit and unprocessed foods. Minimise the amount of packaged food, fresh is best.

4. Enjoy food in moderation and limit sweet treats to special occasions.

5. Have fun teaching your child about nutritious foods and show them how to cook healthy meals so they are prepared to make the best choices in life.

6. Be a role model for your child and encourage physical activity and healthy eating.

If your child is overweight, you can do something about it. The earlier you act the sooner your child will reap the health benefits, both mentally and physically.

Lydia Oliver – Nutritional Advisor Only Best For Baby