For every food product we see, or every new food craze our local cafes create, there is a company looking to make it cheaper and more convenient… for them. Cheap in ingredients and cheap in the quality of food, cheap in production costs for themselves but more sadly, cheap in terms of their consumer’s health. If we choose to consume products that masquerade as foods on our supermarket shelves we are putting ourselves in the firing line to be the next diagnosed with one of the numerous nutrition and lifestyle diseases that are prominent in our society today. This process, of cutting costs at the expense of our own health, is becoming more and more socially acceptable.
As a mum of 2 who tries to balance all aspects of life I understand the temptation to resort to the convenience. However, when we know what goes into these ‘food’ products how can we continue to do this to ourselves and our kids? Education is the key to so many aspects of nourishing our bodies well. I truly believe if the average person knew the truth about what was in their ‘convenient **insert health claim here**’ product it wouldn’t take a second thought to buy the real ingredients, make the snack or meal at home and take control of what we put in to ours, and our children’s’, bodies.
As a society, we are losing touch with our food and food preparation practices. This is not a skill we can afford to take away from the hands of our children.
Why are we looking to pre-packed convenience foods which, more often than not, contain fortified vitamins and minerals, processed or refined sugars and sweeteners, emulsifiers, preservatives, colours, flavours and many other unnecessary additives? It is these things that are causing havoc on our systems and contributing to the increase in the allergies and food intolerances, lifestyle and nutritional diseases, all of which takes away the experience of good health from our children.
Here’s a winning recipe the whole family can enjoy. Chia pods!! So before you go reaching for the next product seemingly taking over the supermarket fridge as the hottest ‘superfood convenience product’, why not make your own at a fraction of the cost and none of the additives!
As always, involve the kids in the food selection and food preparation process. It is through involving our kids that we provide the foundation for them to take responsibility for their own health potential. And given the health status of our society and the how the future looks for our kids, I think this is the best gift we could give them. You may even find a new love, connection and appreciation for your food and yourself too.
Watch to create along with me and my kids and scroll down below the video for the recipe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwzkLhtZJsg&feature=youtu.be
This recipe is kid friendly, nut free, made with real food and preservative free. Chia pods work beautifully for breakfast or a snack.
Ingredients
- 3 tbs chia seeds organic
- ¼ cup coconut milk or dairy free milk of choice. You can also use purified water
- fruits best with blueberries, banana, and strawberries
Additional Optional Toppings
- cacao nibs
- nut butter if no nut allergies
- honey
Instructions
- Place the chia seeds in a jar and cover with coconut milk.
- Stir to combine. Use a fork to break up lumps.
- Leave in fridge for 10-15 minutes.
- Take out of fridge and top with your seasonal fruits and other toppings of choice.
- 5.Enjoy!
Jump onto Omaha Kids to learn more about kid-friendly plant-based foods and encouraging healthy relationships with food.
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About the Author: Laini Oldfield
