Foodie challenges mums to make over lunchboxes

BOXED UP: Wick Nixon is launching her second free 21 Day Marvellous Lunchbox Makeover, starting on March 9. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Soggy sandwiches and sugary snack bars are non-existent in Wick Nixon's house.

The mother of three says it's easy to make healthy lunches - so easy she's challenging mums' throughout New Zealand to take her free 21 Day Marvellous Lunchbox Makeover, starting on March 9.

Hailing from a farm in Dannevirke, the self-taught foodie learned all the basics from an early age and was often found in the kitchen whipping up lunch for her father and brother.

Now based in Auckland, she holds healthy cooking workshops from home and runs an online programme delivering four dinner recipes a week, complete with ingredient lists, tips and reminders.

Ms Nixon's aim is to share healthy tips and recipes inspiring people to cut down on additives or preservatives - all people have to do is make time to prepare them.

There was plenty of information on how to eat well but she didn't know of any other service getting kids excited to flip the lid on lunch.

"I ran it for the first time last year, in November, and there were 600 people interested, I thought I would get about 50 - but go figure, we are all parents and all parents have that pain of what to put in school lunches," she says.

For 21 days people will receive a shopping list along with recipes, many of which are gluten-free, to replace the boring basics.

There's a closed Facebook group too, providing a forum for people to share their experiences, photos and ideas. She wanted to make it all free so others could adopt better nutrition for the whole family.

Ms Nixon isn't talking about cutting out sandwiches all together but ensuring they contain more than a bit of bread and jam.

"I have always been interested in healthy food and cooking but I have gotten healthier and healthier over the years - it's so important to nurture your body from inside out and use food to fuel our bodies rather than feeling sluggish and tired."

Expect recipes reflecting her mantra such as "brain balls" mini egg and bacon bakes, toasted pita crisps, homemade humus, vege batons, blueberry muffins, fruit kebabs and sushi.

-For more information or to sign up for the 21 Day Marvellous Lunchbox Makeover, starting on March 9, visit Facebook and search for Wicked Wellbeing Alternative & Holistic Health.