If your children are anything like mine they are pestering me for something to eat several times a day. When I pick my daughter up from school it is quite normal procedures that the first thing she says is ‘Have you got something to eat?’ Forget about ‘Hello Mummy, have you had a good day?’ The easy solution to this is to grab the ready packed convenience snacks from the supermarkets, but we all know that they, more often than not, contain far too much sugar, salt or saturated fat than is good for our little ones. And perhaps we should offer our kids a healthier alternative to sweets, crisps, chocolate and biscuits when they are hungry? So for those who are struggling with coming up with ideas for healthier snacks we have put together a few quick and easy ideas below and please share your own ideas in the comments!  

These simple sandwich wrap recipes are ideal for a family outing, especially when you want to eat something nice without paying restaurant prices. They are also great for lunch boxes, in 5 minutes you have made a tasty lunch for the entire family. Simply half the ingredients to make 2 wraps. 

Smoked Salmon & Cheese, makes 4 

200 g Cream Cheese
100 g Grated Cheddar
2 tsb Honey Mustard Dressing
0.5 tsb Black Pepper
4 Tortillas
600 g Sliced Smoked Salmon
100 g Rocket Salad

Mix together cream cheese with the cheddar, dressing and pepper.
Spread the cream over the bread and put the salmon and rocket on top.
Roll the wraps and put tightly into a suitable food container or sandwich wrap.

Italian Wraps, makes 4

400 g Sliced Serrano Ham
200 g Roasted Peppers, drained
200 g Italian Taleggio Cheese
4 Tortillas

Divide the ham, pepper and cheese among the tortillas.
Roll the wraps and put into suitable food containers or sandwich wrappers. 

So Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake day is approaching, this year it is 8^th March but pancakes should be enjoyed much more frequently than once a year; they are fun to make, children can help out and best of all they make a very affordable dish. Pancakes make a nice midweek dessert for a day when the little ones deserve a treat, and they are especially good on days when you have served a lighter meal such as soup for dinner.  

Traditionally in Sweden families enjoy soup and pancakes for dinner every Thursday. Make sure you make some extra pancakes and you will have enough for lunchboxes the next day. These ones are classic thin pancakes – not the thick American type. For gluten free pancakes just substitute the flour for gluten free flour.

These mini quiches can be served hot or cold and can be frozen - so very handy for kids lunch boxes. Children will enjoy making these with you as they can stir the mixture, roll the pastry and make the pastry circles.