Milk

[Live Free]

My daughter often doesnt want to eat food. She would rather drink almond milk. I have been trying to cut down on the amount that she drinks in order to encourage her to eat more.

So if I could add something to her milk to maybe up the nutritional value on it, what would you add? Hopefully it wont change the taste of the milk too much.

Sometimes I can make smoothies and she will drink those, but not all the time. The only one we like is a spinach and banana smoothie. The only ingredient that I have been able to add to the smoothie is flax seeds. (but at the present time my blender is in NY and I have been unable to replace it since I returned home)

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Teresa and Mae
Live Free

[Rawkinlocs]

I would say add nothing (except maybe some sesame seeds for an extra calcium boost!) because almonds are VERY nutrious all by themselves!

Here is something I found from: http://www.nutsforalmonds.com/nutrition.htm

=========
Consumers have new reasons to enjoy almonds as researchers have recently announced that nuts not only taste good, but they're also good for you.

Almonds are one of the most nutritious of all nuts. As more and more consumers become dedicated to healthy life-styles, experts have found that adding natural foods, such as almonds, to your diet may be the prescription for physical wellness in the 21st century. See this!



Cancer Prevention - Almonds are low in saturated fat and contain many other protective nutrients - calcium and magnesium - for strong bones, vitamin E and compounds called phytochemicals, which may help protect against cardiovascular disease and even cancer.



Phytochemical Powerhouse - Leading nutrition scientists presented their research findings in a symposium entitled "Nuts in a Healthful Diet", as a part of the 1998 Experimental Biology annual meeting. Dr. Gary Beecher, of the USDA-ARS, has analyzed the phytochemical content of almonds and states, "I have never seen this diversity of phytochemicals in a single food source."



Reduce Heart Attack Risk - A Loma Linda School of Public Health study showed those who consumed nuts five times a week had a 50% reduction in risk of heart attack.



Lower Cholesterol - In one clinical study, Dr. Gene Spiller, Director of the Health Research and Studies Center, Inc., showed that almonds added to the diet had a favorable effect on blood cholesterol levels and that none of the study groups experienced weight gain in the study.



Some nuts contain rhizveritrol, the anti-inflammatory agent found in red wines and thought to be responsible for the "French paradox". Many scientists have pointed to the French consumption of red wine as one factor in the lower rate of heart disease despite their diets rich in cream sauces and buttery pastries. The fat in nuts is unsaturated, or the "good" fat and there is no cholesterol in these fats.



If you think almonds are just for satisfying your mid-afternoon munchies, you're in for a surprise! These tasty tidbits pack a nutritional punch, combining tons of essential nutrients in one very delicious package.



One teeny ounce of almonds contains 12 percent of your daily allowance of protein. And absolutely no cholesterol, of course. You'll also get 35 percent of your daily allowance of vitamin E, that valuable antioxidant with so many cancer-fighting qualities. And most of the fat in almonds is monounsaturated, also known as the "good" fat.

This little nut is also loaded with minerals like magnesium, phosphorus and zinc, as well as lots of healthy fiber. And don't forget calcium and folic acid - they're in there too!

When you get right down to the details, it's no wonder so may people go nuts for almonds!



20-25 almonds (approximately one ounce) contain as much calcium as 1/4 cup of milk, a valuable tool in preventing osteoporosis.



Almonds are the best whole food source of vitamin E, in the form of alpha-tocopherol, which may help prevent cancer.



If you're pregnant, or thinking about it, almonds are a great source of the folic acid you need!



Almonds contain more magnesium than oatmeal or even spinach. Are you listening, Popeye?



Build strong bones and teeth with the phosphorus in almonds.


=====
Just be sure that when she DOES eat that she gets her greens in (this can be in those spinach/banana smoothies) and/or whatever fruits and veggies she loves, etc.

Trust her body's instinct...young children are very much intuitive eaters, esp. when they're babies just so long as we don't corrupt their natural eating instincts with the SAD foods.

Hope this helps! :)

[Live Free]

I am worried about that every day. My husband feeds her foods that I dont approve of and now she is asking for them by name. Chicken. She says, "I eat chicken" therefore my husband gives it to her.

I was just so tired of fighting with him on not giving her meat to eat. It doesnt matter what I say. She wants to eat what Daddy is eating. I am wondering if I am forcing her to become a vegetarian or what?

It is difficult to get her to eat greens and it doenst help that I dont have a blender anymore. I feel lost without it. I wanted to spend the money on a good blender.

Thank you for your help,

Teresa and Mae
Live Free

[Sharon in Colorado]

If you don't have a blender, how do you make your almond milk? Are you using Almond Breeze?

I was going to suggest strawberries. You can probably make some awesome strawberry shakes for your little girl. However, you're going to need a blender!

Maybe you can find a decent one at the thrift store, or perhaps e-bay?

[Live Free]

I buy the Pacific brand of almond milk. She loves it.

I will need to order a blender when my credit card statement cuts. I will have some sales this week, so I know I will have enough to cover the cost.

I just wanted to go with the Ktec blender, I didnt want to buy a blender when I was going to buy a good one in just a short time.

Ok back to work. Thank you for your suggestion. I will do that when I get my blender.

Teresa and Mae
Live Free

[rawpriestess]

The almond milk you are feeding your daughter is not raw, just in case you wanted to know. In fact it is highly processed.

It is better than dairy though.

It would be better and cheaper to go to the thrift store, or Kmart or Walmart and buy a $20 blender, and then through it away, or give it back to the thrift store, when you get your K-tec.

As making fresh almond milk is the best thing in the world, you will be so surprised at the difference in taste when you do.

And you and your little one will feel so much better off that processes stuff.

[Live Free]

Ive tried to make her the almond milk with my blender before but she wouldnt drink it. I know the store bought milk isnt raw. We are not 100% raw, but someday I hope to be closer to that.

It is difficult with a cooked eater in the house. He feeds my baby non raw stuff all the time.

Teresa and Mae
Live Free

[Sharon in Colorado]

Ya, my son prefers the Almond Breeze to homemade. I'm thinking of slowly changing it, like diluting it with the homemade kind, and then increasing the amount until it's all fresh stuff.

[twinyoga]

My kids drink the homemade almond milk if I sweeten it up a bit. The don't chug it like the store brands, but they do drink it.

[Halo Aglow]

Ya, my son prefers the Almond Breeze to homemade. I'm thinking of slowly changing it, like diluting it with the homemade kind, and then increasing the amount until it's all fresh stuff.

Very good idea!

[rawpriestess]

If you want your home made almond milk to taste better, or well, not better,but more to the liking of kids,

use 1/ to 2 ratio, instead of 1 to 3

use one cup of almonds dry to 2 cups of water,
1 medjool date, pitted
and a dash of sea salt
1/2 tsp vanilla

This will make it taste sooooooo good.

[Live Free]

Thank you RP, I will try that soon.

I have purchased some very fresh dates from the Date people. Awesome. I have never seen them so soft and sticky before.

Teresa and Mae
Live Free