by Eileen Burns |
Healthy Chocolate Milk Alternative Recipes
Healthy chocolate milk, is their really a healthy alternative? When we automatically think of a cool chocolately drink or chocolate desert for kids we think of chocolate, sugar and of course milk.
But for many children who are highly sensitive to sugar, dairy, preservatives and artificial flavours or colours, chocolate milk is not the wisest choice Your every day chocolate milk that can be bought in the shops is not just unhealthy, but can be too stimulating and play havoc with the gut. Often a challenged part of the body system of children with autism, aspergers, sensory issues and various health challenges.
So what sort of healthy chocolate milk recipe options are there?
Well two of the main things you can replace that can make a huge difference is the chocolate for raw healthy cacao not cocoa and almond milk instead of dairy. With a few extra healthy additional options you can make this taste really yummy.
It all depends on how sweet your child likes their milk and what they definitely don’t like. My own nieces and nephews love the recipe below, even one who doesn’t really like bananas was absolutely shocked there was a banana in this recipe and than it wasn’t technically real chocolate. But some people miss out the bananas and just use dates. It is totally up to you and your child.
Healthy Chocolate Milk Recipe
Actually Healthy Cacoa & Almond Milk Recipe
1 – 1 1/2 cup of almond milk – To Make Your Own Almond Milk Click Here
1 x Large Banana
1 – 2 tablespoons of Cacoa Powder
A few drops of vanilla essence
Optional ( 1- 2 teaspoons of peanut butter)
Optional ( 1/2 teaspoon honey, agave or date syrup*popular with the big kids)
A few ice cubes
Simply blend all above except ice into a smoothie maker or blender and serve with a straw
Healthy Hot Chocolate
Well Healthy Hot Cacoa Drink
Blend all of above ingredients (except ice) to a warm pan (except ice), for kids just slightly warm obviously adults can have a lot warmer.
Note:Best to add the chosen sweetener at end, just as its warming and ready to come off the boil or heat.
Other Options- Healthy Choco Ice Cream
Healthy Cacoa Ice Cream
A dairy free chocolate ice cream alternative.
All of above recipe, simply frozen, you can also add some cacao nibs, nuts or extra crunchy peanut butter pieces
Let me know how you get on, I would advise you to try these recipes yourself and experiment to your own tastes before getting it right for the kids.
These recipes are packed with nutrients and antioxidants, the main recipe is a great smoothie for on the go, for breakfast or for those afternoon sugar dips
by Eileen Burns |
Essential Oils For Sensitive Kids And HSP’s
Choosing essential oils for sensitive kids and highly sensitive adults can be a challenge.
Selecting the right essential oils for sensitive kids involves quite a few considerations. Other than the child being sensitive to others emotions, noise, light, touch and sound, they can be extremely sensitive to scents.
In-fact many sensitive and sensory challenged kids have a hyper sense of smell. So strong scents can be overwhelming and unpleasant.
Many highly sensitive persons known as HSP’s also have health conditions which have to be carefully considered when choosing the right essentials oils.
How To Choose Essential Oils For Sensitive Kids
When choosing essential oils for sensitive kids It is important the scent is not too strong or unpleasant. If in any doubt start with very smaller doses. In-fact if you know the child has an extreme heightened sense of smell, start even lower doses than the recommended below. If your child has a specific condition it is vital to check the properties and contra-indications of essential oils.
Ensure all essential oils are 100% pure and of highest grade for best results. NYR Organics is just one company. I would recommend Always dilute essential oils with an appropriate carrier oil or water, do not apply directly to skin especially on children, babies or infants. Only use recommended dose for specific age and do not use oils not suitable for infants.
How To Use Essential Oils For Sensitive Kids As A Massage Blend
Massage Blend For Babies: A dilution of 0ne drop to 15 ml carrier oil is the approx recommended dose for infants. But if your baby is sensitive I would recommend one drop to 20 ml. Once diluted in a carrier oil, essential oils can be used to gently massage your baby.
Massage Blend For Infants And Children 1- 6 Years: A dilution of 0ne to three drops to 15 ml carrier oil. But if your child is sensitive I would recommend two drops to 20 ml.
Massage Blend For 7- 12 Years: A dilution of three to five drops to 15 ml carrier oil. But if your child is sensitive I would recommend two to three drops to 20 ml.
Massage Blend For Adults: A dilution of six to ten drops to 20ml carrier oil. For highly sensitive adults four to eight drops to 20ml carrier oil
How To Use Essential Oils For Sensitive Kids In The Bath
Essentials Oils For Bath: For babies and sensitive kids it is actually much safer to dilute the essential oils into a water soluble vegetable oil such as glycerin. But can be added directly simply make sure you run the water and disperse the essential oils into the water.
For Bath Use Babies 0 – 12 months: one drop evenly dispersed in the bath water
For Bath Use Infants 1- 6 years: one to three drops per bath
For Bath Children 6 -12 years: two drops to four drops per bath
For Bath Adult Or Teenager: four drops to eight drops per bath
Safest Essential Oils For Sensitive Kids And Babies
Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia)
Lavender oil is extremely calming, useful for tantrums, exhaustion, overwhelm. Although sedating for most people some people find it more a clarifier. A great one for the family first aid kit as it is extremely versatile oil that can be used on sunburn, burns, bites, Also useful for anxiety, stress and depression. For kids it can be added to bath water, or used as a relaxing massage. For toddler tantrums or bumps a drop of essential oil added to water and then applied as a cool compress
Mandarin (Citrus Reticulata)
Mandarin is another extremely calming and soothing essential oil, helpful for colic, digestive issues and as a general uplifting but relaxing essential oil for sensitive kids. Popular essential oil for sensitive kids as it has a much lighter scent than most essential oils.
Chamomile is extremely soothing and one of the very few pure essentials used on young children eg, infants where it is used in very very low percentages so dilute, dilute, dilute. Relaxing, helpful for sleep, helpful for soothing sore muscles. It does have a strange aroma but the benefits powerfully out way the scent, can be blended with Lavender or Mandarin.
Popular Essential Oils For Highly Sensitive Persons And Sensitive Teenagers
Other than the essential oils above there are various pure essential oils that can support HSP’s in different ways. Essentials have various therapeutic, physiological and psychological properties. The oils below are suited more to adults and children over 12 years.
Bergamot (Citrus aurantium bergamia)
is a slightly uplifting essential oil which can be helpful for anxiety, depression, negativity, shyness, stress. Should not be used for approx 3 hours before going out into the sun. Not suitable for babies infants, children, those with sensitive skin.
a deeply meditating and grounding essential oil for HSP’s can help reduce insecurity, panic attacks, paranoia and nerves. More a masculine type of scent.. Not suitable for babies or infants.
is an extremely supportive essential oil for grief, sadness, attachment challenges, fear of unknown origin, rumination. It also has great benefits for the skin. Not suitable for babies or infants
Sandalwood is another grounding essential oil, specifically useful for those emotionally sensitive, insecurity, listless, dread and worry. It is also used as a meditation aid. Not suitable for infants, babies or children. It has a woody masculine scent.
is an extremely relaxing essential oil that can can help reduce anger challenges, impatience, nightmares,rigidity, fear of people, guilt. Especially as many HSP’s are highly empathic and suffer from unfounded guilt, fear of others and people pleasing. Not suitable for babies, infants or children.
