Give something different this Easter and Purim

By Irene Lichomets

What a festive time of year- chocolate and sweets seem to be everywhere. While we have a sweet tooth like anyone else (including our children), chocolate tastes so much sweeter when its eaten in moderation.
 
Our favourite healthier options:

• Egg shaped bliss balls (recipes below)
• Mini sticky date and pear muffins
• Egg shaped playdough (can pop into a plastic egg)
• Mini carrots (bunnies favourite foods)
• 'Carrot' filled Popcorn
  (make a carrot packet by rolling orange paper into a cone and sticking some green on top)
• Whats growing? book (lasts much longer than food and you can teach your kids how carrots grow) 
• Kids safe knife (cuts carrots but not little fingers)
• Little toy bunny or fussy chicken (from $2 shop)

 
Similarly during the Jewish holiday of Purim- Mishloach Manot or gifts of food are often sugar laden.
Some healthier sweet ideas:

• Apples
• Hamentashen shaped boxes filled with Sultanas
• Chia jam filled hamentashen 
• Date bliss balls 

Why don’t you get your kids to help out making the gifts in their FOOST little chef gear. 

And click here for some mindful eating tips during this festive season. 

Happy holidays everyone!

Cinnamon Apple No-Bake Bites
Makes 20 bites
These are our favourite bliss balls- they taste like apple pie
Healthy, gluten free, vegan
Preparation time: 15 min
Cooking time: NA

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup raw almonds
• 1/2 cup old rolled oats
• 1 cup dried apples
• 1/2 cup medjool dates (pitted)
• 2 tbsp water (more may be needed)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp allspice

Method:

1. Add all ingredients into food processor blend (mixture should become like a dough).
2. Use a tablespoon to scoop out mixture.
3. Roll into ball sized bites.

Storage:
These need to be stored in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container.

​Cranberry No-Bake Bites
Makes 20 bites

We love these tart bliss balls.
Healthy, gluten free, vegan
Preparation time: 15 min
Cooking time: NA

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup raw almonds
• 1/2 cup raw cashews
• 1/2 cup medjool dates (pitted)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp water

Method:

1. In a food processor finely grind the cashews and almonds
2. Add in the remaining ingredients and blend until all combined.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of water.
4. Use a tablespoon to scoop out mixture.
5. Roll into ball sized bites.

Storage:
These need to be stored in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container.