Healthy Birthday Parties

Do you find it easy to make healthy choices most of the time but then let yourself down when birthday parties come around? Is making healthy food YUM, too difficult to achieve? Do you worry about fussy eaters and that they may screw their noses up? Maybe you don't have the time to prepare a healthy version of everything. Then there's the issue of trying to impress your guests who may be expecting - chips, lollies, cakes, sausage rolls etc. This can be completely intimidating. Hosting a "healthy" birthday party may not actually be as intimidating as it sounds. Your guests may actually be secretly happy about being provided with better options, especially if they have a food allergy. No parent is going to criticise you for offering healthier party options.

People may be expecting to eat junk food at a party but would you really want to send your friends and family home from your party on a smorgasboard of chemicals and additives? Who knows how many additives you would find in the typical party food of chicken nuggets, sausage rolls, frankfurters, biscuits, lollies, birthday cake, cheezels, and fairy bread (preservatives, colours, flavour enhancers, MSG, gums and thickeners, just to name a few).

Additives in food can cause the following symptoms in sensitive people: headaches/migraines, insomnia, behavioural problems, asthma, nausea/vomiting, rashes, heart palpitations, difficulty concentrating.

You may be wondering where do I start? Where do I find recipes? Where do I find the time for prepping and baking? It is harder than just popping to the store and you will need to plan but think of the health benefits to your loved ones. I will help you with the recipes and your time. You will predominantly use a food processor or blender to assist with the speed and ease of prepping. Most of these recipes can be made ahead or frozen. I'm thinking you will feel a lot better in yourself and accomplished when putting in the effort to provide healthy options, what a great example you will be to your guests. It's a compliment when your guests enjoy the food and don't realize it's additive, grain and dairy free.

Lets have a look at some of the recipes I have for you. Most important, the birthday cake. I have a Pineapple Coconut Cake with Lemon Icing, which can be served a few different ways, and a Chocolate Birthday Cake with Marshmallow Frosting.

Not everyone is into chocolate, so I have a PINEAPPLE COCONUT CAKE with LEMON ICING. A deliciously moist cake that's so versatile. It can be made into a no fuss slab cake drizzled with lemon icing, or into a double layered Birthday Cake or cupcakes. This yummy cake is just as delicious made into my nut-free version.

My CHOCOLATE BIRTHDAY CAKE is an impressive large moist and fudgy cake. It's a perfect cake to bake ahead to save time when preparing for your party. I like to use this recipe for Chocolate Frosting as a filling and Marshmallow Frosting for the top and sides, and decorate with fresh strawberries. It can also be made nut-free.

This is more an adult treat for your guests. RAW PECAN SLICE can be made up to 1 week before hand and kept stored in an airtight container in the fridge or frozen for up to a month.

I also have these crispy CHOCOLATE COOKIES for your party, they are so quick and easy to make. They have no eggs, gluten/wheat or dairy and can be made into a delicious nut-free version (perfect for school lunch boxes too). My grandkids love them!

These CHOCOLATE AVOCADO MUFFINS are delicious with their moist mud cake texture. The addition of fresh avocados, not only helps with the texture, but gives you lots of healthy heart fats. I've topped them with macadamia nuts and raw cacao nibs, they are also delicious topped with CHOCOLATE FROSTING. They can be made 2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container.

My yummy MINI PIZZAS are perfect for a birthday party. The bases can be pre-made and frozen. The flour combination makes a strong base that holds up well. They are free of gluten, grains, soy, eggs and nuts. Have a pizza themed party! Why don't you put out bowls of different toppings and have the children top their own pizzas.

Here's some further savoury ideas for your party:

CHICKEN and VEG BITES

BARBEQUE BEEF SKEWERS

MIDDLE EASTERN LAMB MEATBALLS

SALMON PATTIES (make into small finger food size)

You will find lots more party ideas in my Christmas e-book - Paleo sausage rolls, Salmon Pate and Sesame Crackers, Cucumber Appetizers, Popsicles and more.

Children like to eat food off toothpicks or skewers. Why not make some vegetable and fruit skewers or ham, pineapple and cherry tomato skewers. A platter of vegetable sticks and hard boiled eggs will look colourful as a centre piece. You could also make gummies made with pureed fresh fruit, coconut water, a little honey and gelatin, and set in shaped molds.

Traditionally when the party time is over a child goes home with a bag of lollies. It is seen as a gesture of thanks for coming to the party. So why not break the trend of what has always been done. A gift bag in itself is a fabulous idea but think outside the box....Glowsticks....$2 toys....bubbles....box of dried fruit (preservative free). Or have a big lucky dip box where upon leaving each child is able to reach in and grab a lucky dip present. Parents will be sure to thank you when their child goes home without a bag of sugar and food colouring.

Enjoy planning your healthy birthday party and don't forget to have a good look through the recipes on my website for more healthy ideas.

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