thursday recipe: coconut, seed lunchbox bikkies

These energy packed little morsels came about because Pete brought home a couple of coconuts and I had to think of something to do with the flesh. I grated some up in the food processor and decided to come up with some biscuits and they turned out deliciously enough to share with you.

Pete was watching me make them and as I poured the whole cup of coconut oil in he said, "That's a lot of oil if I eat the whole batch." True. "You won't be eating the whole batch," I assured him in a you-won't-be-eating-the-whole-batch tone.

He's right though it is a lot of oil and as a result the biscuits are quite rich which is a good thing because if you eat more than one you'll instantly feel you've over done it and won't do that again. I may or may not be speaking from experience.

They are good ones to pack for school lunches and are oh so simple to make.

Coconut, seed lunchbox bikkies

1 cup gluten free self-raising flour
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup pepitas
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup liquid coconut oil
1/2 cup coconut palm sugar

Preheat oven to 170 degrees C.

Place all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.

If your coconut oil is solid, melt it on the stove.

Pour the coconut oil into the mixing bowl and combine with dry ingredients until well mixed.

Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Allow roughly one tablespoon of mixture per biscuit, shape into rounds and place on tray.

Bake in oven for approximately 15 minutes or until golden.

Cool on wire rack. Hide them from husband and children.

lunch box love

We are heading down the home straight toward the end of term 3 and I am guessing your 'what to put in the school lunchbox' mojo is fading. Yes? Well, since I have been on a 6 week vacation from filling lunchboxes I am feeling all enthusiastic about not falling into my old end of term fruit and a sandwich rut. I thought I'd share my progress coming up with lunch box goodness...

Day one: River went off to school with a brown rice nori roll filled with tuna and avocado, seaweed rice crackers, mandarin, dried apricots and two pieces of Natalie's excellent apple, oat and maple syrup slice (one piece for River, one piece to share with a friend).

Day two: egg and carrot sandwich made with millet sourdough, 1/2 a dragonfruit, mango and strawberry fruit flat (dehydrated fruit), red capsicum sticks and seaweed rice crackers.

Day three: corn thins spread with butter and topped with parmesan cheese, pitted kalamata olives, apple, raw chocolate brownie from our local raw food cafe (raw on rye).

Day four: cheese and vege spread wrap, seaweed rice crackers, mandarine, carrot sticks, 1/2 raw chocolate and date bar.

Day five: cucumber and cheese wholegrain roll, an apple, a coconut date roll, corn thin with vege spread.

Happy to report completely empty lunch box coming home. yay!

For more inspiration take a look at Mona Hecke's book The Lunchbox Revolution and please share your lunch box faves in the comments, it helps if we think for each other :)

the lunchbox revolution

Only a matter of days mamas before we wake up to...empty lunchboxes. Holidays over what to fill school or work lunchboxes with? Well, I was excited to find Mona Hecke's (pictured) fabulous book 'The Lunchbox Revolution' sitting on the counter at my local health food shop last week. I bought a copy, love it and am now very happy to share it with you because I think Mona's tips and recipes will make your life easier and keep your family happy and healthy.

Mona lives on the sunny Gold Coast in Queensland where she works as a naturopath and is a mother of three beautiful teenage children, so Mona is well qualified to fill a book with fantastic, nutritious recipes for school and work lunches.

In addition to great recipes, the book includes really useful info about allergies and food intolerances plus tables detailing mineral rich foods and Mona's top 10 best and worst foods for health.

I talked to Mona about sharing a recipe here and she told me that her recipes for chocolate balls and protein balls are really popular. I made the chocolate balls for dessert last week when we had friends over for dinner and they were a hit, super chocolatey and sugar free!

Thanks Mona for sharing your recipe here and for writing your book. Here's to the Lunchbox Revolution and providing nutritious wholefood and great health for us and our families.

The Lunchbox Revolution by Mona Hecke $10.95 available at health food shops or online

If facebook is your thing you can find The Lunchbox Revolution page here, like it and receive more great tips and recipe ideas

Chocolate balls

This chocolate delight is sugar free, deliciously rich, packed with super antioxidants and will satisfy that chocolate craving. Fresh Medjool Dates provide a high source of energy, fibre, vitamins and minerals and are perfect for people on the go.

250g (or 12) Medjool Dates (pitted)

2 tablespoons Raw Cacao

1 cup Almond Meal

2 tablespoons Agave Syrup

Shredded or Dessicated Coconut for rolling

Blend all ingredients together in a food processor until well combined and moist.

Roll into approximately 22 heavenly chocolate balls, tossing in coconut or raw Cacao before refrigerating.

Note: Use the raw Cacao Powder available from Health Food Stores.