Let's face it, the school day is exhausting. Classes can drag on FOREVER and often you come home looking like something the cat's dragged in.
Perhaps the reason our days feel so long is because we don’t have the sustenance and resulting energy we need.
This problem starts with the simplest of things like: breakfast. It's been said before and I’ll say it again, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. What you eat in these early waking hours sets your brain and body up to thrive until your next snack break. And then there’s the problematic school lunches - one of the most universally loathed meals ever. Soggy sandwiches, a mushy apple, the bruised banana, you get the picture.
There never seems to be an enjoyable homemade lunch option. And finally when you get home and crash out on your bed from after-school fatigue, you need a quick snack to cheer you up, but not one that will fill you up before dinner (my mum's pet peeve). Join me, on my quest for finding the perfect school day fuel.
Break the Fast
No doubt your stomach will be rumbling, since it's now about 12 hours after your last meal. Mmmmm, the breakfast dilemma - trust me I’ve tried everything.
Take the initiative and sort yourself out with a meal that will sustain your energy levels and leave your belly smiling up at you from below. I think I may have cracked the code and found the most effective food (simple, nutritious and filling) in good old porridge! Perhaps your mind is skipping to that white, sloppy, bland stuff? But don't be too quick to judge porridge! With the right flavours and ingredients it can be transformed into something you look forward to. I have included my recipe below. However, don't feel confined - everyone has different tastes and once you identify the flavours that appeal, you can create your own delicious bowl of goodness. (Note: This is a perfect breakfast to take in a thermos to eat after an early morning sport's practice.)
Honour's porridge
· ½ cup of oats, with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
· Soak oats overnight in 3-4 tbsps of water.
· In the morning add 5 tbsps of milk (I like VitaSoy Protein Plus) then simmer the mixture for five minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
· At this point, add half a cup of mixed berries, a heaped tsp of peanut butter, a few drops of stevia, stir and cook for a further minute, yum!
Lunchtime
My lunches tend to be quite repetitive and I find myself constantly getting bored. There is not much time in the school mornings to experiment with new foods like I would do if I were at home. Nevertheless, this year I’ve decided to spruce up my lunchbox each month with new, transportable dishes that augment my usual staples. My current obsession is: nutty kale salad and spicy mini baked kumara. To ease the stress, I start my lunch prep on Sunday night so I can enjoy sleeping to the last possible minute during the weekdays. So why not give these recipes a try?
Spicy Mini Baked Kumara
· Cut a large kumara into small cubes (so this can last you the whole week).
· Line a tray with baking paper.
· Put the kumara pieces on the tray and lightly coat with coconut oil.
· Mix up a paste of ½ a tbsp of red curry paste, ½ tbsp of tamari, ½ tbsp of sesame oil and1 tbsp of tahini.
· Massage the paste into the kumara until completely covered.
· Then cook the kumara for 30 minutes at 200◦C.
· Once cooled, put in a container and store in the fridge.
Nutty Kale Salad:
· Take 300 grams of kale and rip it into small, salad like pieces.
· Place in a bowl and add a tbsp of your chosen oil and two tbsp of lime juice, massage the kale till desired texture is reached (soft enough to chew).
· In a blender add a small knob of ginger root, three tbsps of lime juice, one cup of peanut butter, a clove of garlic, two tsps of miso, one tbsp of maple syrup, one tbsp of sesame oil, one tbsp of Coconut Aminos Seasoning, 1/2 a tsp of mustard and blend together.
· Add water if needed to thin down the dressing.
· Then add the dressing to the kale and massage till it is fully coated.
Afternoon Tea
By the time you get home the lunch satiation might be starting to wear off and hunger will be your foe. This means it's time for afternoon tea! The perfect opportunity to delve into something sweet and delicious.
My absolute favourite thing to have after school is an apple and peanut butter. You might have guessed after reading this column that I have a crazy obsession with peanut butter, so bad that my mum has to restrict me from demolishing a jar every week. But I find that a fresh and crunchy apple is perfect on a hot day after school and when paired with peanut butter... it's irresistible! I’d be lying if I didn’t also tell you that I make a grab for any decadent treat that might be lurking in the pantry. Sheesh, after all that healthy cooking I deserve a goey chocolate brownie or perhaps a Little Bird macroon, and since it's the season I’m hoping I'll soon find a stash of hot cross buns and Easter eggs! (HONOUR MITCHELL)
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