Last updated on March 31st, 2024 at 01:02 pm
We are raising children at a challenging time when it comes to feeding our children better. Gone are the days we bought food from the store and just trusted it. As parents we have to decide what goes into our children’s mouths on a daily basis and for most on an hourly basis if they eat as much as my two kids do. I find it so hard sometimes to know what to feed them that will benefit them, nourish them, and be free from all the artificial flavorings and colors that seems to be in everything these days. If it’s not sugar, its fake sugar. The amount of processed foods on the shelves waiting to be picked up and consumed back at home without a further thought to what it’s doing to us is astonishing.
Don’t get me wrong, I like my share of pizza and dark chocolate on a weekend, as a treat but I think when we become parents we think harder about our children’s health than we do our own for some reason. We put theirs first and ponder harder on what we pass to them on their plate more than what we place on our own plates. It doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to enjoy the great taste of their favorite foods either, like butter on sandwiches just means you choose a healthier butter.
When I first found out B had food allergies, I won’t lie I was beyond scared. I had the added stress of keeping him safe as much as I did keeping him healthy. But what I quickly realize now, he has ate better than most children his age because he has to have everything fresh, homemade, and nothing artificial in it. It educated me on food in a way I never thought possible.
As he was my first child, it also set me up to know what I should and shouldn’t feed my second child. I see all the benefits of having a healthier diet as my children grow up.
We see it in the news constantly about companies jumping on board and going artificial free! This helps parents like me that worry about feeding their children healthier each and every day. I am not an extremest on this matter I still think our bodies need fats, sugars, and an occasional treat. Life is too short not to enjoy it. But during the years it’s up to me to feed my kids I want to give them a good start on what is good for us. I am constantly getting them involved in the kitchen when we are baking and cooking and teaching them as I go along.
One day, when they move out and into a place of their own I hope it will just come natural to read labels and know what they are eating and how it affects us.
Kids are like sponges they take in what we say and also what we do. Recently, I started making all my own bread. It quickly became mornings filled with fresh, baked bread aromas and the kids love watching my bread machine work it’s magic. I usually lay out a few choices for them to pick out for their sandwiches for lunchtime.
I always put out vegetables and fruit that they like and some they haven’t tried or are not as keen on to try again. You would be so surprise how often they grab something new to eat. On our sandwiches we use Clover original spread to add a great buttery taste with absolutely no artificial ingredients.
We made these amazing Boiled Egg Whites and Avocado Sandwiches, this past weekend while the sun was out and we wanted to eat outside on a blanket in our back yard. The flavors were great together and full of nutrients the kids needed to run around the park later that day.
Boiled Egg Whites and Avocado Sandwich
Ingredients
- Two slices homemade olive and wholemeal bread
- 1 tsp Clover original spread with blue label no artificial ingredients
- 1 boiled egg diced and yolk taken out
- 1/2 avocado diced
- Dash of fresh mozzarella
- Handful of baby spinach
- black pepper
Instructions
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Spread Clover butter on two slices of bread
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On one slice of bread, scoop diced boiled egg whites and avocado on top
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Next sprinkle mozzarella
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Add fresh ground black pepper
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Place second slice of bread on top
Recipe Notes
Serve with fresh cherries
Why use Clover? Clover is the first major UK spread that delivers a recipe with absolutely no artificial ingredients. It has half the saturated fat of butter and is suitable for spreading, cooking, baking, freezing and frying on a low to medium heat. You can find it in all major supermarkets and independent stores nationwide. It’s made with naturally low fat buttermilk and suitable for vegetarians.
Once you become a label reader, it becomes second nature, I promise. Just that little second to check whether something has artificial ingredients or not can really help make healthier choices for you and your family. You don’t have to make big changes in your diet or lifestyle just recognizing which brands are going more green and free from is a good start.
Have you tried Boiled Egg Whites and Avocado on a sandwich before? Try it with balsamic vinegar on top for a real tasty treat. Test it out on the kids, what kid doesn’t like boiled eggs? You can chop up the baby spinach and hide it in the egg and avocado to give them a healthy and tasty lunch time.
*In collaboration with Clover
Jenny you have me craving these now!! You seriously need to do a course for people so we can all be expert food stylists too!!! x