SUPER PARTY BOOKS: January 2010

Gabi Steenkamp & Tanzia Merlin & Jeske Wellmann. Sustained Energy for Kids. Cape Town: Tafelberg Publishers 2006.

A new year is all about new resolutions, and for anyone wanting to start the new year on a healthy note, why not try Steenkamp, Merlin and Wellmann's Sustained Energy for Kids? This family-orientated Low GI recipe book containing typically South African ingredients is also available in Afrikaans as Volgehoue energie vir kinders.

This full colour recipe book is compiled by a trio of SA registered dieticians and is definitely written with children in mind. Although the recipes can be used for the whole family, every effort has been made to make sure that the food not only tastes delicious, but also looks good enough to meet the approval of your little food critic.

The meals are low GI, meaning that you will be keeping blood glucose levels steady throughout the day, which is ideal for all kids, and superb for children with diabetes, ADD and ADHD. Kids don't need to feel cheated out of the fun stuff, as there are recipes for hamburger pie, pitta burgers, peanut butter biscuits, chocolate brownies and more... All the yummy stuff without the sugar highs, irritability, moodiness, tiredness and lack of concentration! Each recipe includes a note from the dietician, plus full colour pictures.

The recipes in Sustained energy for kids cover a wide range of foods. From Breakfasts to Main Meals, from Vegetables, Salad Meals and Soups to Baking, Puddings, and Snacks, from Lunch Box ideas to Party Food. I was quite impressed at the variety of healthy options suggested to fill up the party table.

Please note that most snack recipes in Sustained energy for kids use milk or peanut butter, so these recipes are not ideal for children with these specific allergies.

Happy Parties!

*SHELLY SHINDIG*

Resident Bookworm

Click here to add Steenkamp, Merlin & Wellmann's Sustained energy for kids to your party book library today.