Yogurt Bowl
Yogurt has long been called "the milk of eternal life”. Yogurt has been a staple around the world for centuries. Plain yogurt is milk of any kind that has been thickened by “friendly bacteria", known as Lactobacillus acidophilus. This friendly bacteria will help to fight infections that contribute to symptoms such as diarrhea ect. It also contains enzymes that suppress putrefaction (rotting or decay) of incompletely digested foods; incompletely digested foods can trigger food allergies and/or sensitivities; along with bloating and gas.
That being said not all yogurt is created equal. It is very important to read labels and be sure that the the yogurt you purchase contains live culture or active yogurt culture. Some manufactures heat yogurt to extend shelf life or to increase the flavour; this heating will destroy the active culture. Also be mindful of added sugars, thickeners and preservatives; these are all added chemicals.
The idea of plain yogurt for many is not appetizing. I will add my own flavour to yogurt that way I can control how much sugar is being added. When our kids were little I would add homemade jam for flavour. Now its harder to sell the plain yogurt to them. If you are buying flavoured yogurt just watch what it is flavoured with and how much sugar. Some yogurt has upwards of 9g of sugar in a single serving; which is just crazy. I like to cut the flavoured yogurt with plain yogurt.
My personal favourite is to make my own yogurt. I don’t consume dairy and the cost of store bought coconut yogurt has gone up drastically over the years.
Homemade Coconut Yogurt
Use one can of full fat coconut milk.
Place it in the blender; blend until the consistency is smooth
Pour into a jar
Mix in two capsules of probiotics containing acidophilus
Cover it with a breathable cloth or cheese cloth and let it sit for 24-48hrs on the counter until desired flavour and consistency is reached
Cover and refrigerate
How do we use that plain yogurt? One of my favourites is a breakfast bowl. I love using about a 1/2c of plain coconut yogurt, 1/4 c of mixed berries(frozen or fresh), 1/4-1/2 of a banana, 1 tbsp of flax seed, 1/4 c of mixed raw unsalted nuts and seeds; mix it all together. You have a delicious breakfast rich in healthy fats, high in fibre and complex carbohydrates, loaded with potassium, calcium and vitamin C and antioxidants.
This is definitely a kid friendly option. I like to have a few different additions for them to choose from; different fruits, nuts, seeds, coconut, homemade granola; this list can go on. This gives then the feeling of a little control. I sometime call it a “breakfast sundae” to put a different spin on it.
The key is to have fun and that way hopefully they’ll gobble it on down for a great start to their day!!
If you are in need of more kid friendly and/ or nutritious meal ideas feel free to contact me for more info or follow along on Facebook or Instagram.
