We all know the benefits of eating healthy food and trying to instil the importance of this into our children from a young age.
I'm often searching for the healthy options for my kids, especially for their packed lunches when they head off to school.
And while two of my boys are open to trying new foods and snacks, the middle son is a bit more fussy and quite often his lunch box comes back home untouched.
It's a battle - one that is exhausting, not to mention deflating - that many mums and dads face on a regular basis.
A recent survey has found that 72 per cent of school children have admitted to doing something with their school lunches other than eating the whole lot.
Many suggested that food was shared with friends (or more likely traded for a better option) and even worse, thrown in the bin.
The study also revealed that almost a third of parents questioned are not confident about knowing what food is best for their child, while just over half worry their child may not get the nutrients they need.
Packing a healthy lunch every day for three kids can be challenging, especially if you have a picky eater on your hands.
There are a number of reasons a child might skip their lunch, apart from preferring to play.
Some children just can't face the same food over and over again, it's boring and that can mean only one thing, it's not eaten.
Quite often, the healthy contents in the lunch box are in competition for the nice treats, which can fill kids up and leave little room for more nutritious options.
In my quest to put that extra-special effort into my children's lunches, I've tried to think of special ways of presenting the food when they open up their lunch box in school.
In doing some research, I came across a Singapore mother-of-two who would put us all to shame.
Forget the boring ham sandwiches, sticks of cheese or sliced strawberries and think about spaghetti teddy bears and penguins made from rice.
Lee Li Ming showcases her creations, made especially for her two young sons, to a massive number of followers on her blog and Instagram
She said she takes inspiration from the characters her children would like to see in their lunches when they open them at school. Think Minions made from spaghetti and a Snoopy-inspired rice dish - yes, seriously.
Ms Ming said she first started the craze when her first-born entered nursery and was missing her so she started putting something creative in his lunch box along with a little note.
"I was hoping to cheer him up and let him feel my presence and love through them," she said.
Since then, Ms Ming has started making her lunches for both of her children and photographing them since August 2011, when she started her blog.
From recipes to picture tutorials and lists of tools and tips, there’s something there for anyone who would like to gain a new skill and become a little more imaginative with food.
Ms Ming's creations clearly show that there are many simple steps parents can take to ensure that there's a bit of excitement in their child's school lunch - there really are ways to ensure food goes straight to their stomach and not to the rubbish bin.
Children are more likely to eat what they're given if you let them have some input into the decision-making process.
Allowing kids to pack their own lunches is a perfect way to help them learn about eating a healthy, balanced diet.
Children who play a part in preparing their own packed lunch will be more likely to eat it.
Encouraging them to experiment with new foods, being prepared for it to be brought back home, but persevering to see if the child will try it eventually.
Packing their own lunches suddenly is packed with lifelong lessons to carry them through their childhood.
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Competition
Lucy Dawson's new novel, You Sent Me a Letter, has been described as a "gripping read with an intriguing and unsettling mystery at its heart".
On the morning of her 40th birthday, Sophie wakes in the darkness of her bedroom - and finds a stranger watching her from the foot of the bed.
The intruder hands Sophie a letter and issues an ultimatum - the message is to be opened at her forthcoming party, in front of family and friends at exactly 8pm.
Any failure to comply will not end well.
What can the letter possibly contain? And why must it be read in front of everyone she loves? When the clock strikes eight, the course of several people's lives will be altered forever.
I have three copies of You Sent Me a Letter to give away. To be in with a chance to win, simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below - to competitions@irishnews.com
Closing date for entries is Tuesday May 17 at noon.
(Q) What is the name of the author of You Sent Me a Letter?
Normal Irish News Rules Apply
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What's Hot!
Pipe bands - Bands and drum majors from across Ireland will compete in the Ards and North Down Pipe Championships in Bangor tomorrow. Field Marshal Montgomery and newly promoted Bleary and District are among the bands taking part in the free event as well as drum majors and highland dancers.
Prep your Pins - With the recent spell of sunshine, Elemis have launched a gradual tanner for your legs. The Total Glow Bronzing Body Lotion, priced at £34.50 gives a gentle honeyed radiance combined with a burst of hydration.
What's Not!
Split - Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne may be splitting up after 33 years of marriage. The Black Sabbath star has reportedly moved out of the family home.
Harry Styles - One Direction fans went into meltdown after a photo of the star's 'new look' emerged on Twitter. But in fact, it was a prankster using Snapchat face-swap to reveal star's new shorter hair style
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Competition winner
The winner of last week's Lidl competition is Jennifer Mason from Downpatrick.
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Easy Peasy Recipe
This week's Easy Peasy Recipe is Cranberry Pistachio Breakfast Squares, courtesy of Vita Coco Coconut Oil.
You will need:
4 tablespoons of Vita Coco Coconut Oil
3 tablespoons of maple syrup/honey
4 tablespoons of almond butter
75g pistachios, deshelled
100g gluten free oats
20g desiccated coconut
75g dried cranberries
Pinch of coarse salt
To make:
Preheat the oven to 180 C.
Roughly chop the pistachios and add them to a baking sheet with the gluten free oats.
Bake at 180'C for about 8 minutes until lightly toasted, tossing once in the middle.
While they're cooking, roughly chop the dried cranberries and then add them to your food processor with the desiccated coconut. Add in the toasted pistachios and oats.
Add the Vita Coco coconut oil, almond butter, maple syrup and salt to a small saucepan on medium heat and whisk until smooth.
When mixture is completely melted, add to the food processor and blend until crumbly paste.
Press the mixture tightly into a small baking tin lined with parchment paper.
Pop it in the fridge for about an hour to set.
Slice into squares and serve.
Do you have an Easy Peasy recipe you would like to share?
Are you the queen of quiches, magnificent at muffins or can you turn out some nice scones?
If so, then we want to hear from you.
You can send your name, address, contact number and recipe (plus photo if possible) to:
Easy Peasy Recipes,
Suzanne McGonagle,
Irish News
113-117 Donegall Street,
Belfast,
BT1 2GE
or
s.mcgonagle@irishnews.com
