ts reassuring to know that at Honeybees we have the philosophy that simpler is always better when it comes to food - all our meals are healthy and natural, unprocessed and cooked with love! :-)
The really interesting thing about this study is that the more food touches plastic and other processing equipment, the more harmful carcinogenic chemicals it accrues, that then build up in our bodies.
At Honeybees we only cook with stainless steel pots and pans, eat off bamboo and crockery, and store food in glass not plastic - one less thing to worry about for your little one!
You can read more here: http://www.honeybees.co.nz/enviro.html

Oh the places you'll go at Honeybees........   :-)

The results from our parent survey are rolling in, and we're so happy to feel the love for Honeybees!!   :-)

"We just love the staff. You care so much for the children and it shows. Your food is amazing! You are FANTASTIC!!"

"Honeybees has an absolutely different environment from what I've seen so far in Auckland's childcares. It feels like home in here!"

"It seemed obvious to us from the day we visited Honeybees that the teachers are talented and committed to making early childhood education their career. This was a big difference to other daycare centres that we visited."

"I love the natural products used and I love knowing my daughter will be nourished with real food."

"I love the philosophy and cleanliness of the centre. All the staff are happy, positive people and I am grateful that my son is in their care while I am at work."

"Friendly, warm teachers who are always very very patient and always smile. Chemical and toxin free toys, skincare products and toiletries. Healthy and balanced foods."

Honeybees had so much fun at the first day of the Baby Show today!! We loved meeting some of our Facebook Friends, and giving away balloons, stickers and lemon chia seed muffins to lots of new little friends    :-)

Come and see us Sat or Sun at stand L17 if you're out and about......!

We've been celebrating lots of birthdays lately at HoneyBees - a huge Happy Birthday to Malek (3), Max & Oscar (3), Olivia (4), and Sebastien (3)!! 

At HoneyBees we love healthy natural food, and our children do too!

We have a couple of children's birthdays coming up next week and would like to make some delicious gluten and refined sugar free cupcakes for them - does anyone have a favorite recipe to share??  

These super yummy carob balls are the perfect alternative to chocolate Easter eggs for the little ones this holiday season. No dairy, no gluten, no added sugar! The tofu keeps them a nice soft texture, while adding some protein too.

Pat the tofu dry with paper towels to remove excess water. Place into a bowl and mash with a fork. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix using your hands to evenly combine.
Form into small balls and roll in extra desiccated coconut. Transfer to a container in a single layer and refrigerate overnight. Keeps 4-5 days in the fridge. Makes approx 30 small balls.

Quick healthy food tip to give your kids loads of energy - instead of crumbing fish in white bread crumbs, try using LSA (ground linseed/sunflower seeds/almonds, available at most supermarkets). It adds protein, healthy fats and extra vitamins, and is the meal of the moment here at HoneyBees!

And here was HoneyBees Preschool at Mary's Market in Freemans Bay last weekend. It was a great day - we met so many lovely parents and children, and gave away over 150 of our delicious lemon chia seed mini muffins. Nobody could believe they were gluten free, dairy free and sugar free!

In the background of the recent HoneyBees Sunday Star Times photo shoot - Chris the photographer was amazing with the little ones. 

Here is HoneyBees again on essentialmums.co.nz - Lilly couldn't get enough!! 

Don't forget Open Week is coming up 10th-14th March, lots of our yummy snacks to try plus get 2 months free if your little one enrols in our Early Learning Centre. Come and join the HoneyBees family! 

www.honeybees.co.nz

Behind the scenes at HoneyBees - who is really whipping up those healthy meals......?

Katie was busy baking some delicious mini Lemon Chia Seed Muffins this morning at HoneyBees - and of course we all had to make sure they tasted just right......!   :-)
We'll have lots of these here to sample during our Open Week.

The recipe for these yummy gluten free treats is here:
http://slimpalate.com/lemon-chia-seed-muffins-paleo-grain-free-gluten-free/

Lemon icing
2 tablespoons honey 
2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
zest from 1/2 lemon
juice from 1/2 lemon
pinch of salt

Mix together all ingredients, and refrigerate a few hours before decorating. 

Try these super healthy options as a treat or dessert for your kids - quick and easy to make, and they taste so good they won't last long!

Dairy free banana ice cream
For a dairy-free ice cream that children love: Peel then freeze 3 bananas. Chop into a blender with 1/2 - 1 can of coconut cream and puree till thick like frozen yoghurt. This will not freeze well so needs to be eaten right away.

High protein nutty fruit crumble
You will not believe how delicious this smells and tastes: In a blender add 1 handful of each - brazil nuts, almonds, walnuts and coconut, plus cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and nutmeg to taste. Blend till fine. Add butter (or olive oil) and honey or some Stevia (natural sweetener). Blend into crumble consistency. Press over lightly cooked fruit of your choice (include some berries) and bake at 180C until brown on top.