Christmas is traditionally all about overindulgence in the food department. But all that high calorie, rich food can play havoc with yours and your child’s diet. Here we have shared three yummy, fun, and healthy alternatives to help you enjoy a nutritious and delicious Christmas feast!
Strawberry Santas
Ingredients:
- strawberries
- banana
- ricotta cheese (or something else for the beard: cottage cheese, cream cheese, coconut yoghurt)
- black gel icing to create the eyes
Method:
- Remove the leaves from the strawberries
- Cut a nice slice from the base of the strawberry.
- Take a slice of banana
- Spread with ricotta cheese.
- It can be a good idea to whip the ricotta with a fork or whisk in a small bowl before spreading it, you will get a smoother effect and it will be easier to spread.
- Assemble the Santa: Slice of strawberry on the bottom, ricotta and banana, then teh rest of the strawberry on the top like a hat.
- Use your edible gel icing to add eyes.
The Result:
Healthy And Festive Christmas Bliss Balls
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup fresh dates pitted
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup nuts of your choice almond, walnuts and pecans all work well
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 2 tbsp coconut butter, or regular butter slightly softened and cubed
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
- 2 tbsp desiccated coconut, cocoa, or sprinkles
Method:
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Soak dates and cranberries in a glass or small bowl of warm water for 15 minutes or until soft.
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When the fruits are nice and soft, drain and tip dates into the bowl of a food processor.
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Add the remaining ball ingredients to the processor and process until combined (the dough will become quite dense and sticky when properly combined).
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Remove mixture from food processor and roll into teaspoon sized balls.
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On separate plates, shake out your desired toppings.
The Result:
Christmas Banana Snowmen
Ingredients:
- 2 bananas
- 1/4 of a carrot
- Handful of currents or sultanas chopped
- 3 strawberries
- 6 grapes
- 6 skewers
Method:
- Cut the bananas into thick slices (approx. 9 rounds per banana) –
- Peel the carrot and cut into small triangular slivers for a pointy nose –
- Trim the stem from the strawberries and then cut in half. You should get two hats out of each strawberry –
- Cut the grapes in half. (We only used the smooth half and ate the stem end) –
- To assemble, thread three slices of banana on to each skewer followed by a strawberry hat and grape half. Gently press the currents into the banana slices to create eyes and the buttons on the body then add the carrot nose
- Serve immediately
Tip: Chop everything up, place all the bits in separate bowls and then have the kids assemble the snowmen. –
Safety note: Please be careful with using sharp skewers when cooking with children. If necessary cut or break off the pointy end to avoid injury.
The Result:
Other simple ideas for healthy dishes could include things such as sliced kiwi fruit layered to look like a Christmas tree, with blueberries, pomegranate seeds, strawberries, raspberries, or other fruits to decorate it, just like in our featured image for this month!
At Angel’s Paradise, we wish you all the best for a Merry Christmas, and a Happy & Healthy 2021!