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Packing lunch boxes for the kids that are wholesome and lekker at the same time can be quite a challenge. With our delicious and easy recipes which are also ready in a jiffy, there is no need for panic anymore. And if all these goodies are packed in a quirky animal-printed lunch bag and water bottle, Max, the sugarbird, Maya mouse and Babilo, the elephant will win over the little ones in no time to enjoy their wholesome eats. Girls will love the pink bag, while boys will be delighted to have the blue one.
The lunch bag made with insulated foam will ensure that the food stays cool and fresh for longer and can be used with an ice pack as well.
A balanced lunch box needs to consist of a variety of food that will last for the day and is easy to handle. Make sure that the lunch box includes all the various food groups: from protein and dairy to carbs; fruit and vegetables. Also, remember to keep them hydrated with a healthy drink.
A wholesome bran muffin containing yoghurt, eggs, nuts and fruit as well as healthy rooibos topped with creamed cheese, biltong or peanut butter and even grated vegetables like carrots will already tick all the boxes for a nutritious lunch box. Our super healthy oats crunchies will be ideal to satisfy their craving for something sweet, especially after their afternoon sports activities. Add a fruit or two.
To quench their thirst a refreshing rooibos tea drink will be ideal. This is where Carmién Tea’s kiddies range comes to the rescue. The combo consists of Very Berry containing rooibos with berry flavours, Sleepy Time, with rooibos & chamomile with a strawberry flavour and Happy Tummy with rooibos and flaxseed with an apple flavour. The Happy Tummy with the flaxseed will add extra wholesomeness when making the muffins as well as the crunchies while the Very Berry and the Sleepy Time can be used for making cold rooibos tea drinks as well as adding flavour and extra goodness to cold milkies which are also wonderful to pack into the lunch box.
Words and recipes by Carmen Niehaus.
MAYA MOUSE BRAN MUFFINS
Carmién’s Happy Tummy is a safe, effective, digestive blend, ideal for kiddies. Apart from rooibos, it contains ground flaxseed and fennel which may help to gently relieve constipation. Rooibos is naturally soothing and helps to relieve stomach cramps. It also has a refreshing apple flavour.
- Makes 34 small muffins
- Preparation: 15 min
- Baking time: 15-20 min
INGREDIENTS
- 750 ml (3 c) all bran
- 250 ml (1 c) Carmién Happy Tummy rooibos tea, made with 3 tea bags
- 180 ml (¾ c) brown sugar
- 100 ml canola oil
- 250 ml (1 c) cake flour
- 375 ml (1½ c) wholewheat flour
- 2 ml (½ t) salt
- 125 ml (½ c) almonds & raisin mix
- 125 ml (½ c) luxury fruit and nut mix
- 12 ml (2½ t) bicarbonate of soda
- 60 ml (¼ c) plain yoghurt
- 2 eggs
- 60 ml (¼ c) each sesame – and roasted sunflower seeds
PREPARATION
- Preheat the oven to 180°C. Spray the hollows of two patty pans with spray ‘n cook.
- Mix together the all-bran, rooibos tea, sugar and oil and let cool.
- Add the cake flour, wholewheat flour, salt, nut and fruit mixtures and gently mix.
- Mix the bicarbonate of soda with the yoghurt, add the eggs and beat till well blended.
- Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir till lightly mixed.
- Spoon into the prepared hollows of the pans and top with a sprinkling of sesame- and sunflower seeds.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a testing skewer comes out clean from the middle of the muffins. Let cool in the pans.
- TO SERVE: Halve the muffins and spread them with creamed cottage cheese, add some biltong. Sugar-free peanut butter, mixed with some creamed cottage with a sprinkling of grated carrots or some fruit spread is also good.
Hint: the muffins freeze well.
MAYA MOUSE OATS CRUNCHIES
The dates in this recipe add good sweetness to this yummy oats crunchies. It is made with coconut oil and nuts and seeds are added to give it a nice “crunch”.
- Makes about 18
- Preparation: 15 min
- Baking time: about 30 min
INGREDIENTS
- 250 g dates, chopped
- 125 ml (½ c) warm Carmién Happy Tummy, made with 3 bags
- 1 egg, beaten
- 250 ml (1 c) oats
- 250 ml (1 c) coconut
- 60 ml each (¼ c) of roasted sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds
- 125 ml (½ c) cake flour
- 2,5 ml (½ t) bicarbonate of soda
- 5 ml (1 t) cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 125 ml (½ c) coconut oil, melted
- 60 ml (¼ c) brown sugar
PREPARATION
- Preheat the oven to 180°C. Spray a baking sheet or 20 cm square cake tin with spray ‘n cook.
- Place the dates in a bowl, and add the warm rooibos tea. Leave to stand for 5 minutes, then add the beaten egg and mix well.
- Mix together the dry ingredients.
- Mix the melted coconut oil with the sugar and add to the soaked dates.
- Add the dry ingredients to the date mixture and mix well.
- Press into the prepared tin and bake for about 30 minutes or until brown.
- Cool and slice.
- Keep in an airtight container.
BABILO ELEPHANT STRAWBERRY MILKIE
Carmién Sleepy Time kiddies tea is specially formulated to soothe and relax. Rooibos is naturally soothing to the nervous system and therefore excellent for hyperactive children. Camomile is long known as a safe, calming herb. A natural strawberry flavour gives a delicious taste and lovely aroma to the tea, making it smells just like sweeties!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 bags Carmién Sleepy Time rooibos tea
- 180 ml (¾c) milk
PREPARATION
- Place the tea bags in the milk and refrigerate, preferably overnight to infuse and get a strong strawberry flavour.
- Pour in the water bottle and pack in the lunch box with an ice pack to help keep it cold.
MAX, THE SUGARBIRD’S VERY BERRY MILKIE
Carmién’s Very Berry is a delicious blend of rooibos with natural blackcurrant & strawberry flavours. It has an intense aroma, is naturally sweet and is totally sugar-free. It is also ideal for making iced tea.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 bags Carmién Very Berry
- 180 ml (¾ c) milk
PREPARATION
- Place the tea bags in the milk, preferably overnight to infuse and get a strong berry flavour.
- Pour into the water bottle and pack in the lunch box along with an ice pack to help keep it cold.