• SELF LOVE & BODY IMAGE
  • MOTHERHOOD
    • Pregnancy
    • Babies
    • Kids
  • ADVENTURE
  • STYLE
    • Interiors
    • Fashion
    • Beauty
  • FOOD

Mother's Always Right

Mum life, body image, style

  • ABOUT
  • PRESS
  • Podcast
  • Public Speaking
  • YOUTUBE
  • WORK WITH ME
  • #FreeFromDiets campaign
You are here: Home / FOOD / Mid-week happy food – an easy and organic family meal #FeedYourHappy

Mid-week happy food – an easy and organic family meal #FeedYourHappy

September 6, 2017 by Molly 14 Comments

Happy Food

Did you know “happy food” is a thing? Honestly, it is. I first became aware of how happy food could make me when I was a kid. No matter how busy my parents were we always had a proper home-cooked meal, made from scratch. My memory might be hazy but I’m sure Tuesday nights were my favourite. I can remember being at after-school club, looking forward to my mum picking me up, coming home and getting into my pyjamas to watch Changing Rooms on the telly and eat my dad’s home-cooked Arabian Chicken.

Now I’m a mum myself I feel like I’m winning if I manage to pull one of our own family favourites out of the bag during the week. In between ballet lessons, after-school clubs and homework the mid-week meal can sometimes become an afterthought, but with a bit of planning and the trusty slow-cooker this needn’t be so. At seven and two, my girls are already firm believers in the soothing effects of “happy food” and have their own favourites, so to surprise them with one of these on a Wednesday night instantly wins me some mum points.

As a family we tend to either grow a lot of our own veg at home or to buy organic, mainly because I like the fact you know what you’re getting for your money – i.e. no added chemicals or scary things you can’t pronounce. Organic food is always free range, uses fewer pesticides, no artificial colours and preservatives, no routine use of antibiotics and contains no GM ingredients. I remember being about fifteen when my mum bought our first pack of organic carrots and something she said must have stuck with me because I’ve been choosing organic where possible ever since. For me, an organic home-cooked meal is the ultimate happy food.

This month the Organic Trade Board is asking what your “happy food” is, and looking for people to share their own happiest meals using the hashtag #FeedYourHappy. My all-time radio crush Sara Cox has also got involved, sharing her own organic happiest meal here (warning – it will make your mouth water):

Anyway, one of our favourite meals – a former weekend “treat tea” that’s since been promoted to mid-week meal – is slow-cooked beef brisket. It takes about ten minutes to prepare, eight hours to cook and approximately five minutes to eat. But those five minutes are five minutes of total joy.

We used a cut of beef brisket from The Well Hung Meat Company for this meal, who source all their meat from certified organic farmers in Devon, using traditional and sustainable farming methods. All the animals have been grass fed and the meat is butchered using artisan methods by a team of skilled butchers, before it’s delivered to your door. You can totally tell.

Slow-Cooker Beef Brisket

What you need (all ingredients are organic, where possible):

  • Beef brisket joint
  • Manuka honey – 2 tbsp
  • Dijon mustard – 2 tbsp
  • Balsamic vinegar – 2 tbsp
  • Brown sugar – 1 tbsp
  • Olive oil – 3 tbsp
  • 1 clove of crushed garlic

First of all sear the beef joint in a hot pan with a splash of olive oil. Each side shouldn’t cook for more than around a minute – the idea is to seal the beef rather than actually cook it. Once seared, transfer to the slow cooker. Next up it’s the marinade. Mix together all the other ingredients in a bowl and drizzle over the meat in the slow cooker. I like to move the meat around and rub the mixture into it so it really gets stuck in. Finally, season with salt (I like pink Himalayan sea salt) and black pepper. Cook on the low setting for eight hours and it’s job done.

The meat will come out soft, tender and breaking apart – a bit like a joint of pulled pork before you actually “pull” it. Slice into pieces and serve with your choice of sides. We veer between homemade coleslaw or steamed veggies and roast potatoes with plenty of thyme and salt and pepper – the ultimate treat.

Because this meal is so quick to prepare you can literally throw the ingredients together in between the usual chaotic school morning routine, leave it to cook all day then serve it up in the evening, pretending you’ve spent hours slaving over a hot stove. It’s a brilliant way to pep up the mid-week spirits on hump day and will always guarantee cleared plates in our house.

Of course, when it’s all gone and there’s no seconds you have to be prepared for a protest (in our case this always involves a toddler attempting to climb on the table – does this happen in your house too?!)…

Now, tell me, what’s your happiest meal? Any other treat mid-week meal ideas I can add to my repertoire? I’m looking for new ideas to get out of the rut now we’re back into the routine of school and work!

 

***

The content of this blog represents the views of the author only and is her sole responsibility. The European Commission and CHAFEA do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

For more information about how I work with brands check out my Work With Me page. 

Filed Under: FOOD Tagged With: family meal ideas, family recipes, happy food, kid-friendly meals, organic food

« Photo fails – the holiday snaps that didn’t make it to Instagram
Life updates, and a new introduction to my family »

Comments

  1. Jen Walshaw says

    September 8, 2017 at 2:33 pm

    We are happy food people. We have always called it that. happy chickens taste better and produce better stock IMHO. AS a farmers daughter in law I always buy the best I can afford. For me happy meals tend to happen when I have planned them

    Reply
    • Molly says

      September 11, 2017 at 11:17 am

      I think that’s a really good approach Jen – I’m the same! x

      Reply
  2. Becky | Spirited Puddle Jumper says

    September 8, 2017 at 11:44 am

    Mmm that looks lovely- I absolutely LOVE my slow cooker, and we always try to buy organic and free range when possible. My ‘happy meal’ for Autumn is probably a slow-cooked boeuf bourguignon with loads of mash potato to mop up the gravy- just YUM! x

    Reply
    • Molly says

      September 11, 2017 at 11:17 am

      Slow cookers are great time savers aren’t they?!

      Reply
  3. Morgana says

    September 8, 2017 at 9:52 am

    Happy food is totally a thing and I’m always on the look out for good family recipes that I can still use on a busy week night. I’m definitely trying your recipe! It sounds delicious.
    Lovely post Molly! xx

    Reply
    • Molly says

      September 11, 2017 at 11:17 am

      Ah thanks Morgana! x

      Reply
  4. Sarah says

    September 7, 2017 at 2:15 pm

    This sounds delicious. I really need to get my slow cooker back off my friend – she borrowed it when she broke her hip and that was about 4 years ago!!

    Reply
    • Molly says

      September 11, 2017 at 11:18 am

      I’d be lost without mine!

      Reply
  5. Hannah Atkinson says

    September 6, 2017 at 1:20 pm

    My personal happy meal would be a Thai vegetable curry. Heaven on earth! My son would probably choose my home made lasagne. I make it with turkey mince and the tomato sauce has roast red onion, peppers, garlic, courgette and aubergine blitzed in so it quite healthy.

    Reply
    • Molly says

      September 11, 2017 at 11:18 am

      Ooh that Thai veg curry sounds AMAZING!

      Reply
  6. Emma - Life According to MrsShilts says

    September 6, 2017 at 12:19 pm

    This sounds like a lovely meal for the whole family. I can’t wait to get the slow cooker out again and come home from work to the smell of dinner cooking away.

    Reply
    • Molly says

      September 11, 2017 at 11:18 am

      It’s definitely an Autumn thing isn’t it?!

      Reply
  7. Laura | Little Ladies Big World says

    September 6, 2017 at 11:35 am

    I am massively into nutrition and always cook from scratch but you’re right since school was in the mix I find it so hard, but reading this you realise there are little things you can do and it will be totally worth it when it sets the tone hopefully the children will remember for a long time. X

    Reply
    • Molly says

      September 11, 2017 at 11:19 am

      It’s hectic isn’t it?! Weeknights are always a challenge for us, meals-wise. x

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hello and welcome! I'm Molly Forbes - podcaster, presenter and blogger with a passion for positivity, confidence and body image chat. Regularly writing and vlogging about empowering female issues from a motherhood angle, I also cover lifestyle and fashion topics for like-minded mums who want to rediscover themselves after having children. Thanks for stopping by! Read More…

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

YOUTUBE

INSTAGRAM

Back in January I was on the brilliant @school.for Back in January I was on the brilliant @school.for.mothers.podcast - we talked diet culture around kids and practical things we, as parents, carers and teachers, can do to dismantle some of the messages and create body happy environments for children to thrive in. Here’s a little snippet and you can listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts ❤️ 
.
Reminder: my book, Body Happy Kids is out 1st April and available to order now!
.
.
.
[Video description: a pink square with blue audio wave and closer captioned text of a clip from an episode on diet culture and kids with Molly on the School for Mothers podcast.]
I am not “bossing” it. Or “slaying”. Or “hustling”. Or “smashing” it. I’m not even juggling or spinning plates or doing any of the other words we use as a glossy, marketable, Instagram friendly way to package up burnout culture, under the guise of “empowering” women (💪🤢). 
.
What I have been doing, though, is working too hard. Call a spade a spade. I’ve been working too hard, neglecting my health, my relationships, my life away from my laptop. I cannot be everything to everyone AND work at the level I’ve been working at BECAUSE I AM A HUMAN BEING. And you are too. We are not robots.
.
I care deeply about all my work, and things aren’t always this intense, but I wanted to sprinkle some reality into the Gram because I am so over this lie that *any* type of success or achievement doesn’t come at a cost, or involve many failures in the background, or require many other people to help make things happen. 
.
I guess what I’m saying is, let’s be real about all that, as well as showing the achievements. I’m bloody proud of my book. And I’m so excited to launch the social enterprise @bodyhappyorg properly next month. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy, and that there isn’t a price. 
.
And with that, I’m taking the weekend off. See you on the other side 🥰🥰🥰
.
.
.
.
[Image description: Molly sits in her office with her hands covering her mouth. On the back of one hand is written “Not bossing it”. She is wearing a pink boiler suit with a black and white top underneath. She has pink leopard print earrings on and her hair is tied back.]
This was taken at the start of half term, when the This was taken at the start of half term, when the kids were still enthusiastic about going for a walk. 1,705 walks around the same bit of countryside later... not so much 😬 
.
If you’re struggling to get your kids motivated to move their body at the moment, go gentle. You’re not alone. Bad weather coupled with boredom coupled with the lure of screens is a heady recipe for lethargy - and that’s just me! 
.
Seriously though, remember: all movement is valid. Even if it’s just a ten minute @cosmickids sesh or a little kitchen disco, it all counts. And if it comes from a place of enjoyment and fun, kids (and adults!) are going to be far more likely to want to get involved.
.
What joyful movement activities are your kids enjoying right now (if any?!)?
.
.
.
.
.
[Image description: Molly and her two daughters are standing in a field. They’re wearing colourful wellies, holding hands and smiling.]
I founded a social enterprise 😵 . Introducing: I founded a social enterprise 😵
.
Introducing: @bodyhappyorg 🎉
.
We are a Community Interest Company dedicated to promoting positive body image in children. We help adults help the kids in their care be friends with their bodies 🥰. 
.
Through workshops and classes, digital and physical resources (both free and paid) we help parents, carers, teachers, youth leaders - and any adults who are ever around children - create body happy settings for kids to thrive in. 
.
We launch officially next month with a beautiful new website and lots of resources which we’ll continually be adding to. In the meantime give us a follow at @bodyhappyorg - we start posting from today and our page has been designed as a free resource on its own! 
.
I’m privileged to work alongside an incredible team of people on this. Shout-out to the original dream team @chelseacoxstrategist @amysnellingpt @effinitupfaye @lottie_storey @bodyconfidencecards_db @rachel_hobnobs & @aceandping 💕 LOVE YOU ALL! 💕
.
.
.
.
.
[Image description: A blue square with yellow and white text which reads “the body happy org”. This is the logo for The Body Happy Organisation CIC]
Proof that I did wear clothes other than a tea-sta Proof that I did wear clothes other than a tea-stained hoodie and tracksuit bottoms at least once in the past month 😐
.
.
.
.
.
[Image description: Molly is wearing pink dungarees with yellow buttons over a black rollneck long-sleeved top. She has a monochrome striped hairband on and her hair is pink. She is also wearing earrings with boobs on them. She looks very pleased, both with her earrings, the pink hair and the fact she’s not wearing sleepwear, for a change.]
A new report from the Education Policy Institute h A new report from the Education Policy Institute has concluded an obvious gender divide in the well-being of young adults. If you’d like to read more check out this article by Eleanor Peake in @newstatesman (I’ve linked to it in my Stories).
.
Every week I get messages from parents and teachers concerned about the impact of social media on their kids’ body image. And of course, I couldn’t write a book about body image in kids and teens without covering social media - there’s a whole chapter in Body Happy Kids dedicated to the subject. 
.
The thing is, social media isn’t going anywhere. And just like it can be a force for anxiety, shame and general angst it can be a force for good too. The trick is in knowing how to use it positively (and in holding the platforms to account for not moderating the spread of harmful viral trends and online abuse, and creating algorithms that deliberately create division and harm mental health... but that’s a story for another day). 
.
But how can we expect our kids to have a handle on it when we, as adults, don’t ourselves? 
.
I don’t believe the answer is to ban social media, but I don’t think kids should be given unfettered access to it either. 
.
They need help navigating this stuff, learning about boundaries, developing media literacy skills so they can think critically about the content they’re consuming (just like many adults).
.
And we also need to explore how we might be inadvertently contributing to the problem, perpetuating appearance ideals and creating a culture where kids learn it’s ok to body shame under the guise of health and to value each other based on the way they look.
.
As ever, it’s complicated. I’d love to know what you think? What are some of the boundaries you have around social media in your house - both for yourself and your kids?
#BodyHappyKids 
.
[Full text in Alt Text]
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Mothers Always Right. Design by Stacey Corrin

This site uses cookies: Find out more.