Healthy Recipes for busy Mums with Bec from @nourish_naturally

Juggling Mum life, the ups and downs, ins and outs, whilst trying to eat healthy can often be a struggle. Whether you are time poor, sleep deprived, or just craving easy snack options, Rebecca Gawthorne, the incredible woman behind @nourish_naturally, has all the healthy and easy recipes you need.

Rebecca, also known as 'Bec', is a Dietitian and Nutritionist who has a passion for Plant Based Eating, Mindful Eating, Healthy Weight and Chronic Disease Management. She holds a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours I) and received First Class Honours for her research conducted at the Sydney Children’s Hospital.
She is a beautiful Mum to a gorgeous 5 month old little boy, and very soon she will be releasing her Nutrition e-course which covers all these areas. How incredible and definitely something to check out!

We chatted to Bec earlier in the week and got the low down on 3 of her current favourite, easy and healthy recipes. So pop your little one in their Bubnest because you will need two hands whilst we get creative in the kitchen.

The Best Banana Bread
Ingredients: 

• 1 2/3 cups wholemeal flour
• 4 large ripe bananas
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup honey 
• 5 tbs hemp seeds

1. Preheat oven to 190C. Line a loaf tin with baking paper. 
2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and hemp seeds. 
3. Add remaining ingredients into a blender and blend for a few minutes until light and fluffy. 
   Note: If you don’t have a blender, use a separate bowl, beat eggs and add in mashed banana. Mix in oil, vanilla and honey. Combine well. 
4. Add wet mixture to dry mix and fold through until combined. Pour into loaf tin and bake for about 30minutes or until cooked through. 
5. Remove from oven and allow to cool out of tin on a cooling rack. Slice and enjoy!

No-added Sugar Strawberry Roll Up Bites 
Makes 8 serves. Prep: 10min. Cooking: 3 hours
Ingredients: 

• 2 cups of Queensland Strawberries, washed and sliced
• 3 tbs chia seeds or hemp seeds
• 1/2 lemon, juiced

1. Preheat oven to 120C and line a large baking tray with baking paper.
2. Place strawberries, lemon juice and seeds into a high speed blender and puree. 
3. Pour strawberry puree onto baking tray. Evenly smooth out with a spatula to make a thin, even layer. 
4. Cook in oven for 3 hours*. Once cooked, transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool until firm. 
5. Carefully remove baking paper and slice into pieces with a sharp knife. 
6. Store in an airtight container in the pantry. Enjoy!

Base Layer

• 1/2 cup unsalted nuts of choice – I used walnuts, cashews and almonds 
• 1/4 cup plain rolled oats
• 1 cup medjool dates, seeds removed and roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut 
• 1 tbs honey or maple syrup (if desired for extra sweetness)

Top Layers

• 250g vanilla yoghurt of choice – I used coconut yoghurt
• 1.5 cups frozen berries – I used raspberries and blueberries

Method: 

1. Place base layer ingredients in a high speed blender or mixer and blend until evenly combined. Remove from blender and place into a cake tin (roughly 25cm x 12cm) lined with baked paper (this make it easy to remove from tin). Press down evenly with a spoon. 
2. Cover base layer evenly with yoghurt.
3. In a saucepan, heat berries over low heat for a few minutes, stirring continuously. Once cooked, scoop berries evenly over yoghurt layer and place in the freezer overnight. 
4. Once frozen, remove, slice and enjoy.

We hope you, and your little ones, love those recipes. If you are after anymore deliciously healthy and super easy snack ideas, head over to @nourish_naturally. You will not be disappointed in the amazing array of recipes as well as the adorable posts of her beautiful little babe.

‘Go with the flow – being a Mum is one of the most amazing experiences ever, and everyday it is full of so many unexpected moments. From baby voms, exploding nappies to teething and tears, roll with them, laugh, smile and cry whey you need to xx’ – a little bit of Mum wisdom from the ever so talented Bec @nourish_naturally.