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crispy-coconut-chicken-nuggets

Coconut Chicken Nuggets

Most kids love chicken nuggets, even picky kids – and in some cases might be the only things they will eat.  The best nuggets are the fresh, crunchy, homemade type so you can be sure that your picky eater is getting all of the nutrients, without any of the junk.

These crispy coconut nuggets will be a hit with the whole family.

Ingredients

250 gm coconut flour

1  tsp. garlic powder

1  tsp. onion powder

100 gm shredded coconut

Sea salt to taste

Pinch of ground black pepper

500 gms chicken breasts or thigh fillets

1 large egg

50-80 mls coconut oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Combine coconut flour, shredded coconut, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and mix in a bowl with the beaten egg.
  3. In another bowl, beat the eggs then add the chicken pieces and mix thoroughly so well covered with the egg.
  4. Add the eggy chicken to the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir to completely coat the chicken in the flour mixture.
  5. Heat ½ of the coconut oil in a large saucepan on medium high heat.
  6. Add chicken in small batches.  Cook, turning until brown on all sides.
  7. Remove chicken to a warm plate in the oven while you finish frying, adding more oil as needed.
  8. Serve the crunchy nuggets with your child’s favorite dipping sauce.  Try this nutrient packed tomato sauce.

Variations

Cook chicken first.  Add cooked chicken to a blender with 1 egg and blend till smooth.  Press the mixture into cookie cutter shapes and then roll them in bread crumbs or the coconut mix above.

Value add some shredded or cooked carrot, sweet potato, onion, white potato, green peas or any vegetable to the chicken and egg in the blender to increase nutrient value.

Place coated nuggets on a cookie sheet and bake instead of frying.  Add a little butter or a drizzle of coconut or olive oil for crispiness.  Bake at 200°C (400°F) for around 10 minutes.  Flip half way through to get both sides crispy.

Add a little parmesan to the crumb mix.

Cook up extra to freeze some for a quick meal later.

kids-hydration

Keeping Kids Hydrated

Function of Water in the Body

Water is our most critical nutrient and needs to be your child’s beverage of choice. Water is the largest single component of the body. Overall, our bodies comprise around 50 – 70 % water. Some parts, for example our brain, can be up to 85% water.

Water provides the medium in which oxygen, nutrients and waste products are transported throughout the body, through which metabolic biochemical reactions occur, through which body temperature is regulated, and how blood pressure and blood volume (85% water) is maintained. These vital functions cannot occur without adequate fluids.

Water is also a solvent, a lubricant (e.g. joints) and a protective cushion (e.g. spinal fluid). It is vital for all mucous membrane integrity preventing congestion and for proper elimination preventing constipation. Nerve and brain cells and function also require adequate water. Even mild dehydration can cause mood alterations, headaches, irritability and poor concentration. Is you picky eater irritable and picky due to poor hydration perhaps?

Children’s bodies don’t cool down as efficiently as adults so are more at risk of dehydration during summer and hot weather. Taking a few simple steps can ensure your child always stays well hydrated and enjoys summer fun safely.

Don’t wait until your child is thirsty before offering a drink. Kids can get caught up in their activities and are easily distracted and immersed in their games. Offer water frequently and them into the habit early by offering drinks frequently during activity and especially during hot weather.

Children’s Requirements

How can you tell if your child is getting enough fluid?

Children will need around 60ml of pure water per 1kg of body weight. This is best taken in small amounts throughout the day.

Try to ensure that the water you offer is pure. Invest in a good quality water filter, preferably one that is able to filter out chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride that are often added to urban water supplies.

Allow your child free access to water, especially in hot weather or when running around a lot so they are less likely to become dehydrated.

Ways to Help Children Drink Adequate Amounts of Pure Water:

  • Have a cup or bottle of water on their play table or a place that is easily accessible at all times
  • Have bottles of water ready to take with you on outings
  • Keep a jug of filtered water in the fridge
  • Add slices of lemon, orange or lime and/or a few mint leaves to a jug of filtered water. This makes it more interesting and the addition of the citrus assists in hydration
  • Freeze small pieces of fruit or mint leaves in ice blocks and add these to cups and jugs of water.

Other ways to improve hydration:

watermelon-hydration

  • Include high water content foods in their daily meals. Fruit and vegetables contain 80 to 98 percent water. Eating dense vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, beetroot, carrots, lettuce, spinach or celery with a meal or snack is an easy way to improve hydration.
  • Offer fruit with a high water content an excellent source of fluid as well as being a nutritious snack. Watermelon is a great example (contains 92 percent water, 8 percent natural sugar, plus essential electrolytes, calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium, rich in Vitamin C, beta carotene and lycopene) Most kids love it. Offer bite size pieces to little ones or a large chunk to older kids. Blended and frozen into an ice block or popsicle or cut into interesting shapes should appeal to all and especially that picky kid. Pineapple, mango, kiwi, blueberries, strawberries, mandarin and orange can be used in similar ways.
  • Coconut water (95 percent water & only found in young coconuts) is great for hydration and may be something novel for a picky kid.
  • Clear, broth based soups especially when made with vegetables offers an ideal way to get liquid into a diet along with good nutrients.

Do you have any hints and tips on how you keep your family hydrated?

development-and-growth

Why? Development and Growth

Developmental and Growth

THE INFLUENCE OF DEVELOPMENTAL AND GROWTH RATES ON EATING BEHAVIOUR

As we know, young children have variable appetites and often become picky with food. Why might this be? As a baby your child was fed constantly and grew rapidly. By their first birthday they will have probably tripled their birth weight.

Toddlers and young children grow at a much slower rate than when they were babies so their requirements for food are a little less than many parents expect. As well, they are usually too busy learning about their world to sit still for anything, even to eat.

Children’s limited and sporadic appetites are also affected by their growth cycles or “growth spurts” and by variations in activity. It is quite common for children to be hungry one day or for a few days in a row and then picky the next. They are more likely to eat better (and their requirements will be greater) during periods of more rapid growth.

Young children and fussy eaters tend to do better having most of their food as frequent nutrient dense snacks rather than fewer, larger meals.