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Healthy Gluten Free Instant Porridge with MCT Oil

Looking for a simple, yet nourishing breakfast that you can get on the table quickly? This picky eater approved gluten free instant porridge with MCT oil will be a new family favorite. No cooking. No allergens. And best of all the kids can make it!Looking for a simple, yet nourishing breakfast that you can get on the table quickly? This picky eater approved gluten free instant porridge with MCT oil will be a new family favorite. No cooking. No allergens. And best of all the kids can make it!

I’m definitely a creature of habit. When it comes to breakfast I tend to serve the same things to my family every week (one less thing to think about when meal planning!). Monday is yogurt. Tuesday is a smoothie. Wednesday is eggs. And Thursday is usually oatmeal.

There’s just one problem. My oldest son is allergic to oats!

Easy Oat-Free Breakfast

So I always have to come up with an alternative for him. Sometimes I make a different hot cereal, like teff porridge. But I’ll be honest…I usually do not feel like cooking a second breakfast. Especially now with a new baby. I just don’t have time for that.

Looking for a simple, yet nourishing breakfast that you can get on the table quickly? This picky eater approved gluten free instant porridge with MCT oil will be a new family favorite. No cooking. No allergens. And best of all the kids can make it!One day I just started tossing some miscellaneous food in a bowl for him. His own instant porridge. And he loved it!

In fact, it looked so good my daughters were jealous that he got instant porridge when they had oatmeal. So now I make it for all of them! Or better yet, they can make it for themselves since they know how to cook. It’s that easy.

Want to teach your kids to cook? Check out the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse HERE! You can get a set of FREE kids make breakfast videos when you sign up by August 8!

Not to mention it’s very versatile. You can partially prep it the night before, 30 minutes before or just before breakfast. It can be gluten-free or grain-free and dairy-free.

Instant Porridge Packed with Nutrition

The key ingredient is chia seeds. They pack a nutritional punch with omega-3’s, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein.

There is another superstar ingredient that we add – MCT oil. If you’ve never tried it, you should. It comes from coconuts. Here are some of the benefits:

  • Increase Energy Levels
  • Improve Mental Clarity, Reduce Brain Fog
  • Improve Mood
  • Improve Gut Function and Digestion
  • Support a Healthy Metabolism
  • Aid In The Process of Reducing Stored Body Fat
  • Promote Healthy Brain Function
  • Keep Excess Inflammation in Check
  • Promote Healthy Heart Function
  • Helps Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
  • Variety of antimicrobial and anti-fungal effects

Anything that improves brain function and blood sugar regulation is wonderful for kids! Not to mention it boosts nutrition, which is a key factor in dealing with picky eaters. It’s great for Mom and Dad too!

Looking for a simple, yet nourishing breakfast that you can get on the table quickly? This picky eater approved gluten free instant porridge with MCT oil will be a new family favorite. No cooking. No allergens. And best of all the kids can make it!The best source for MCT oil is Perfect Supplements (I trust them for all of my favorite supplements like desiccated liver and collagen). It is 100% pure (read more about it here)!

Grab your MCT oil HERE. Use the code TAKE10 to get an extra 10% off!

If you’ve never used MCT oil, make sure you start with a small dose (about 1 tsp.) and work your way up to 1 – 2 Tbsp. It can upset your digestive system if you eat too much too quickly.

To your chia seeds and MCT oil add your favorite type of milk (we us raw milk, coconut milk, almond milk or rice milk), seeds, and fruit. Then my personal favorite topping of coconut chips (advanced warning…they are so addictive!).

Looking for a simple, yet nourishing breakfast that you can get on the table quickly? This picky eater approved gluten free instant porridge with MCT oil will be a new family favorite. No cooking. No allergens. And best of all the kids can make it!Healthy, Prep-ahead Breakfast

You can prepare and eat it immediately. Or you can let the chia seeds soak in the milk for a few minutes or even over night to thicken. Sometimes we add brown rice puffs or quick oats (depending on who’s eating it) to thicken it as well.

My three-year old has been measuring ingredients and slicing bananas since she was two. She loves to make instant porridge herself. Plus each child gets to choose their toppings when they make it. And they learn how to serve themselves proper portions.

If your mornings are really hectic mix the chia seeds and milk the night before. In the morning set out bowls of toppings for the family.

Instant porridge. Instant breakfast. Instant nutrition.

That is my kind of breakfast!Looking for a simple, yet nourishing breakfast that you can get on the table quickly? This picky eater approved gluten free instant porridge with MCT oil will be a new family favorite. No cooking. No allergens. And best of all the kids can make it!

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Healthy Gluten Free Instant Porridge with MCT Oil

A simple, no-cook breakfast porridge that is allergy friendly and loaded with nutrition.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1
Author Mary | Just Take A Bite

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk or yogurt of choice
  • 2 Tbsp chia seeds
  • 1 Tbsp. hemp seeds (optional)
  • 1 Tbsp. MCT oil (start with 1 tsp. if you've never used it before and work up to 1 Tbsp.)
  • 2 Tbsp. brown rice puffs or rolled oats (optional)
  • 1 banana sliced
  • 2 Tbsp. coconut chips
  • dried or fresh fruit of choice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine the milk/yogurt, chia seeds, hemp seeds, MCT oil and puffs/oats.

  2. Allow to sit for 5 - 10 minutes or overnight (in refrigerator).

  3. Add banana, coconut chips and fruit.

  4. Serve.

Recipe Notes

Any form of dairy works - coconut milk, almond milk, rice milk, etc.

This serves 1. Multiply for as many servings as you need.

What is your go-to quick and healthy breakfast?

Don’t forget to grab your MCT oil and all your other favorite Perfect Supplements products like desiccated liver and collagen HERE! Use the code TAKE10 to get an extra 10% off.

How to Prevent Picky Eaters from the Start

In our culture kids are bombarded with brightly colored food and overly sweet treats on a daily basis. It’s no wonder their taste buds are skewed! I’m going to share how to prevent picky eaters from the start.In our culture kids are bombarded with brightly colored food and overly sweet treats on a daily basis. It's no wonder their taste buds are skewed! I'm going to share how to prevent picky eaters from the start.

Picky Eaters.

It’s something all parents struggle with at some point. But did you know that shouldn’t be the norm? Really. Picky eating is a symptom. Not a condition. It’s the whole purpose of my blog – to help deal with picky eaters and get kids to just take a bite!

How to Handle Picky Eaters

Trust me. I’ve dealt with every kind of eating struggle you can imagine…and come out on the other side. I dealt with the root cause. Which got rid of the picky eating symptom. But it wasn’t easy!

I have ways of dealing with picky eaters in my book “Why Won’t My Child Eat?!” But today I’m sharing a little secret with you. The best way to prevent picky eaters is right from the start. From the first taste of solid food. Actually even from the time baby is in your womb and breastfeeding!

If you are pregnant, make sure you eat a wide variety of nutrient dense whole foods. Baby does taste what you’re eating! Then when baby is breastfeeding continue a nutritious diet. Your milk will change flavor based on what you eat and give your little one a taste for real food.In our culture kids are bombarded with brightly colored food and overly sweet treats on a daily basis. It's no wonder their taste buds are skewed! I'm going to share how to prevent picky eaters from the start.

Prevent Picky Eaters from the First Bite

Then comes the really important step – introducing solids. You can’t wait for it with your first child. You kind of get annoyed with it by your second child. But eventually you get to or you have to (however you look at it). And what you feed your baby can create or prevent picky eaters.

I’m a huge fan of letting baby lead when it comes to solids. But that doesn’t mean a food free-for-all. It just means I offer a variety of nutrient dense food and let baby decide what and how much to eat. In general I offer baby what the rest of the family is eating. Here are my basic guidelines.

  • No added sweeteners
  • No food coloring or artificial ingredients
  • Lots of healthy fats
  • Let baby chew
  • Offer variety – a mix of fruits, veggies, proteins and fats
  • Stick to a gluten free or grain free diet for at least the first year

In our culture kids are bombarded with brightly colored food and overly sweet treats on a daily basis. It's no wonder their taste buds are skewed! I'm going to share how to prevent picky eaters from the start.

Some of my favorite first foods include:

  • avocado chunks or lightly mashed
  • banana chunks or lightly mashed
  • ripe pear chunks
  • egg  yolk lightly fried in butter, coconut oil, tallow or lard or hard boiled egg yolk
  • whole milk yogurt
  • ripe mango chunks
  • beef or chicken liver
  • peas
  • sardines
  • roasted chicken
  • ground beef

Keep in mind baby is not born with an affinity towards sugar and brightly colored foods. If you skip those baby will not feel dissatisfied. On the contrary, you will be giving baby one of the best gifts ever! The gift of a taste for real, whole foods.

If you do need a few tricks to get the healthy habits going check out Think Baby.

In our culture kids are bombarded with brightly colored food and overly sweet treats on a daily basis. It's no wonder their taste buds are skewed! I'm going to share how to prevent picky eaters from the start.

Help With Feeding Baby Made Simple

I’m thankful there are good companies like Stonyfield Yogurt and Once Upon a Farm that have the same philosophy on feeding little ones. Companies that combine the need for simple, yet nourishing foods.

Stonyfield’s YoBaby banana mango yogurt is made with whole milk and has NO added sweeteners! As a mom of soon-to-be four kids (in less than two weeks!!) I’ve been waiting a while for this. An infant does not need sugar added to their yogurt. Honestly. They will eat it plain. Or you can mix in some fruit if you like.In our culture kids are bombarded with brightly colored food and overly sweet treats on a daily basis. It's no wonder their taste buds are skewed! I'm going to share how to prevent picky eaters from the start.

We recently tried the banana mango YoBaby yogurt. Even my 10 year old loved it! I’ve even been eating it. Here is some other cool info straight from Stonyfield.

  1. Yobaby is the #1 pediatrician recommended yogurt for babies and kids 6 months to 2 years.
  2. Stonyfield YoBaby was the first yogurt made especially for babies.
  3. Yobaby now contains the probiotic culture BB12. In addition to live active cultures, Stretococcus Thermophilus, Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidus, Lactobacillus Casei, and Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, YoBaby® yogurt now contains the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis lactis BB-12® that has been shown to have a digestive health benefit when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. BB-12® is a registered trademark of Chr. Hansen.
  4. Our texture is thick and creamy. It is thicker and isn’t as runny as other organic baby yogurts. This helps with less mess for moms while feeding AND especially for babies/toddlers that are starting to self-feed.
  5. We use PLA cups (meaning, made from plants!) because we heard from moms that they were concerned with polystyrene packaging – PLUS plant-based packaging has a lower carbon footprint.

In our culture kids are bombarded with brightly colored food and overly sweet treats on a daily basis. It's no wonder their taste buds are skewed! I'm going to share how to prevent picky eaters from the start.

Don’t Forget the Fat!

We have been eating Stonyfield yogurt for many years. But Once Upon a Farm is new to us. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and flavor of the ingredients!

Just real, whole foods. A variety of fruits, veggies, seeds and healthy fats. Exactly what little brains and bodies need. And as a mom of kids with a variety of allergies I was happy to see there are flavors each of my kids can enjoy.

According to Once Upon a Farm, “We use High Pressure Processing (HPP) to keep our food as close to the farm as it gets. HPP is a revolutionary technology in food, the kind that those unrefrigerated brands don’t use. It allows us to keep the flavors, aromas, colors, textures and nutrients of the food intact, leading to optimal taste and palate development in infants.”In our culture kids are bombarded with brightly colored food and overly sweet treats on a daily basis. It's no wonder their taste buds are skewed! I'm going to share how to prevent picky eaters from the start.

One of my favorite qualities of Once Upon a Farm pouches is how the ingredients are combined.

“We synergistically combine ingredients to create optimal absorption and bioavailability of nutrients. Most baby foods are devoid of fats, especially high quality ones. At Once Upon a Farm, each recipe contains a healthy fat for stable energy levels, nutrient absorption and optimal brain development.”

That is so important to me! Kids need plenty of healthy fats for absorption and brain development!!

I know these are for little ones, but I’d happily serve them to kids of any age…or eat them myself! My kids wanted to eat them all in one day.

Skip the Sugar!

If you skip the sugar from the start your kids will not crave it and be dependent on it as they get older. They will enjoy foods in their natural state. My kids describe their vegetables as sweet! Yes, with a palate free of sugar they can enjoy sugar snap peas and carrots fresh from the garden and consider them a treat.

We do have the occasional sweet here, like homemade graham crackers or homemade ice cream. But those are not part of our daily diet. And they are not given to the little ones. Plus when I make them at home I can keep the sugar content down even in my baked goods!In our culture kids are bombarded with brightly colored food and overly sweet treats on a daily basis. It's no wonder their taste buds are skewed! I'm going to share how to prevent picky eaters from the start.

You can start this process at any age. You are never too old to learn to enjoy real food.

But the best strategy is to teach your kids about whole foods from birth. Skip the sugar in first foods to teach kids how to enjoy foods in their natural state and prevent picky eaters.

I am working with Stonyfield Yogurt and Once Upon a Farm for this post. All opinions are my own.I have not been paid to post a positive review.

Easy Gluten Free Crackers with Liver! {dairy free, nut free, egg free}

Looking for a crunchy snack that isn’t loaded with junk? These gluten free crackers with liver are made with healthy fat and lots of vitamins and minerals! Snack away.Looking for a crunchy snack that isn't loaded with junk? These gluten free crackers with liver are made with healthy fat and lots of vitamins and minerals! Snack away.

It’s no secret. I LOVE my desiccated liver! I add it to just about anything, including meatballs, soups, tacos, smoothies and even caramel! I consider liver to be one of the world’s healthiest foods. It is loaded with vitamins and minerals.

But that doesn’t mean everyone loves to eat it. I personally can’t stand cooked liver. I try to choke a little down every once in a while. Just because I should.

How We Eat Liver.

Rather than rely on the rare mouthful, I use Perfect Supplements desiccated liver on a daily basis. I usually start my day with it in capsule form (perfect if you don’t even like the taste of desiccated liver). Then I add the powder to my food later in the day.

My kids call it our “secret ingredient” when we cook together. They like to surprise Daddy, telling him there is liver in his food.

Even if my kids don’t mind me adding liver to our food, I’m always on the hunt for new ways to get it down.Looking for a crunchy snack that isn't loaded with junk? These gluten free crackers with liver are made with healthy fat and lots of vitamins and minerals! Snack away.

Gluten Free Crackers with Liver!

I recently decided to boost the nutrition of a kid favorite – crackers! These gluten free crackers with liver are super easy to make and taste delicious. But they are also loaded with nutrition.

In addition to the liver I used fermented kale and aquatic greens. Now if that’s not a healthy cracker, I don’t know what is!Looking for a crunchy snack that isn't loaded with junk? These gluten free crackers with liver are made with healthy fat and lots of vitamins and minerals! Snack away.

Liver for Less!

You can always stock up on Perfect Supplement desiccated liver (or any of their other awesome products) at a 10% discount with my code TAKE10. Stock up on all your favorite supplements HERE. Then head to the kitchen to make a batch of gluten free crackers with liver.

Looking for a crunchy snack that isn't loaded with junk? These gluten free crackers with liver are made with healthy fat and lots of vitamins and minerals! Snack away.Kid-Approved Snacks

Speaking of the crackers, my kids love them! I bet yours will too. We like to use them for easy lunches. Dip crackers in nut butter or sunbutter. Or my favorite – homemade Lunchables®. Freshly baked crackers with homemade lunch meat (that also has liver!) and cheese slices. Add some fruits and veggies and you’ve got the perfect packable lunch.
 
One batch makes about 150 crackers. So they will last a while.
 
The next time you see a box of “veggie crackers” at the store, don’t be fooled. It is still just a processed food with made with vegetable oil. Make your own nutrient loaded crackers. And let your kids help!Looking for a crunchy snack that isn't loaded with junk? These gluten free crackers with liver are made with healthy fat and lots of vitamins and minerals! Snack away.

Do you regularly consume liver? What is your favorite way to eat it?

Gluten Free Crackers with Liver {dairy free, nut free, egg free}
Yields 150
A simple, allergen free cracker loaded with vitamins and minerals.
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Ingredients
  1. 1 cup white rice flour
  2. 1 cup sorghum flour
  3. 1 tsp. Perfect Supplements gelatin
  4. 1 1/2 tsp. unrefined sea salt
  5. 4 tsp. organic cane sugar
  6. 1 1/2 tsp. Perfect Supplements desiccated liver
  7. 1/4 tsp. Perfect Supplements fermented kale
  8. 1/8 tsp. Perfect Supplements aquatic greens
  9. 1/2 - 1 tsp. herbs of choice (optional)
  10. 6 Tbsp. avocado oil (or extra virgin olive oil)
  11. 1/2 - 3/4 cups water
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a large bowl combine the flour, gelatin, salt, sugar, liver, kale, greens, herbs and olive oil. Mix well.
  3. Add 1/2 cup water. Mix well.
  4. Gradually add more water, 1 Tbsp. at a time, until a ball of dough forms when squeezed with your hands.
  5. Split the dough in half.
  6. Lay one half on a piece of parchment paper or silpat. Place another piece of paper on top. Roll until 1/8 - 1/4 inch thin.
  7. Cut with a pizza cutter or knife into desired size squares. Sprinkle with extra salt if desired. Place parchment paper with cracker dough on a baking pan.
  8. Repeat process for the second ball of dough.
  9. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12 minutes. Turn off oven and leave crackers in to crisp for an additional 7 minutes.
  10. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
  11. Store in a sealed container for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Just Take A Bite https://justtakeabite.com/

Looking for a crunchy snack that isn't loaded with junk? These gluten free crackers with liver are made with healthy fat and lots of vitamins and minerals! Snack away.

My Favorite Gluten Free Flour Mix | Just Take A Bite

My Favorite Gluten Free Flour Mix

Gluten free baking can be intimidating and challenging. There are so many flours to choose from! I’m helping you out with my favorite gluten free flour mix.

My Favorite Gluten Free Flour Mix | Just Take A Bite

If you’ve ever tried gluten free baking you know it can be tricky. I can make the same recipe ten times and it turns out just a little differently every time. Though that may have more to do with my lack of precise measuring when I bake.

At any rate, gluten free baking is not nearly as forgiving as baking with wheat.

The ratio of sugar to fat is very important. But the real key to successful gluten free baking is using the right blend of flours.

Use all starchy flour and you’ll get a dry, crumbly mess. Use all seeds and you might have a gooey, dense blob.

There are so many flours to choose from when it comes to gluten free baking. My recipes usually call for a gluten free flour mix of your choice. Everyone has different things on hand. And a variety of flours will work.

But after years of experimenting I have come up with my favorite gluten free flour mix.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you some exact flours to use. This is a general rule. Then use what you have on hand.

My gluten free flour mix is:

My Favorite Gluten Free Flour Mix | Just Take A Bite

Not sure which is which? Here is a quick rundown of some common flours.

My Favorite Gluten Free Flour Mix | Just Take A Bite

For your next recipe that calls for two cups of gluten free flour use one cup of grain, a half cup of seed, nut or bean and a half cup of starch. Choose from the above lists. Play around with combinations to see what flavors you like best.

Give my gluten free flour mix a try and see how your gluten free baked goods turn out!

Note that white rice can be used as a grain or a starch. It is technically a grain. But white rice behaves similar to a starch.

My Favorite Gluten Free Flour Mix | Just Take A Bite

What is your favorite blend of flours?

I often use a combination of sorghum, amaranth and tapioca. My baked goods always come out well using those three.

Find your favorite combinations. Then mix up a whole batch so baking is simple. No measuring three or four flours at a time. Just use your mix!

Create a variety to rotate through different types of flour. Gluten free baking just got a little bit simpler.