There's nothing like being blurry-eyed after a late night cake-making session to make you realise that your life is just not so rock 'n' roll anymore. Our little girl is one-year-old today and we spent last evening icing her birthday cake. Well I did; my husband lay on the sofa and took up the role of creative director. This was infuriating, as I thought it was perfect long before he did. Apparently we have different levels of expectation when it comes to fondant bunny rabbits.

So it's amazing how one tiny little girl can pop into your life, turn it upside down and yet mesmerise you in a heartbeat. Chloe took a while to sleep through the night and by the time she was nine months old, I had reached an unprecedented level of exhaustion – imagine being so tired you accidentally take off your eye make-up with nail varnish remover. Yet despite the sleepless nights, grizzly teething and the redecoration of our kitchen with various shades of puree, becoming a parent is one of the most amazing things I ever did.

I'll even stand by that after last week's lesson in successful parenting – which was never to put a peaky looking baby in the car. During a vicious bout of teething, our poor little girl projectile vomited all over herself and her brand new "big girl" car seat. Of course, babies that have just been sick need cuddles, it's just a shame I was wearing a cashmere sweater at the time. The first day of my life I've ever worn cashmere, and hey presto, baby vomit. Really, I should know better. New mummies should not wear cashmere.

However, short of covering ourselves in a layer of cling wrap (which is not altogether a bad idea) there's not much new parents can do to avoid being covered in puree or half-eaten Cheerios.

I have, however, picked out a top to wear at Chloe's party that is the same colour as her cake. Turns out Sisley have a good line of tops in fondant bunny rabbit colour – who knew?!

Of course, whilst I'm hardly going to deprive Chloe of her first birthday cake, I'm also going to try and dilute the sugar-fest with some healthier options. These apple and raisin muffins are fantastic, and as kids and adults both tend to love them, this really is cake you can feel good about.

Before I go, if you need dietary support over and above a healthy cake option, check out my new Nutrifit course details on www.nutrifit.bm. There are three spaces left and we start in a week, so get in touch if you would like to feel revitalised in 2009!

Apple and Raisin Muffins (makes 8)

Ingredients:

225g (8oz) organic wholemeal, self-raising flour or gluten-free flour mix

¼ tsp nutmeg

¼ tsp cinnamon

100g (4oz) desiccated coconut

175g (6oz) carrots (peeled and finely grated)

175g (6oz) apples (peeled and finely grated)

85g (3oz) raisins (roughly chopped in half)

2 organic eggs (beaten)

100ml (4 fluid oz) sunflower oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. Mix flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, coconut, carrots, apples and raisins together in one bowl

2. Mix eggs, sunflower oil and vanilla in a second bowl

3. Mix the two bowls together and spoon into muffin cases

4. Cook for 20 minutes at 180 C or 350 F

The advice given in this article is not intended to replace medical advice, but to complement it. Always consult your GP if you have any health concerns. Catherine Burns is a fully qualified nutritional therapist. She can be contacted at clinicalnutrition@gmail.com.