What do you find is the biggest challenge in growing happy, healthy eaters? 

Those fussy stages that occur in the toddler and preschool phases can be hard to navigate I found. You could have a super eater who will eat everything one day and the next nothing works. I found that very challenging. For a long time I had to focus on plain but wholesome foods. However, over the last few years and in particular through 2020 I focused on cooking 1-2 new things a week to challenge their palates and I have seen slow but positive results.

What’s the one thing you find works with your family to help with this challenge? 

Family meals are a great help. Sitting , trying new things as a family has worked very well for us. When they see us enjoying our meal and are distracted by chatting through the day – before they know it, they have finished their meal. I have also found limiting snacks a huge help. On the days where I allow even the simplest snacks of fruit I find there is a negative impact on hunger for mealtimes.

Veg Packed Pasta Sauce

It’s easy to make, delicious and healthy

Ingredients

• 1 red onion chopped
• 2 garlic cloves crushed
• 1 leek chopped
• 2 stalks of celery
• 4 carrots chopped
• 150g chopped mushrooms
• 1 courgette chopped
• 2 x 400g tin tomatoes
• 400ml Passatta (Basil & Orgeno)
• 1 tbsp Basil
• 1 tbsp Oregano
• 1 Chicken Stock Pot

Method;

1.  Heat Oil (I use coconut) in a saucepan on a medium heat.
2. Fry off onion, garlic, leek & celery for about 8 mins
3. Add carrot & fry off for another 7 mins
4. Add mushrooms & fry off for another 7 mins or so
5. Add courgette & again fry off for about 7 mins.
6. Add the tinned tomatoes, passata, herbs & stockpot.
7. Bring to boil & then turn down to simmer with lid on for about 30 mins or until the carrots are soft.
8. Remove from heat & blend with a handheld blender until smooth.

Find out more about Erica, Certified Child Sleep Consultant with her  practise Babogue,  https://babogue.com/