Hemp Milk Acitivity

Greetings to all of the families at Douglas Park Preschool!!!

Last week we had an exciting opportunity to make hemp milk, which is a dairy-free alternative to regular milk.  Hemp seeds are a safe option for people with nut allergies and they have a smooth, nutty flavor.  

Hemp milk is a great source of "omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, B vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin E, and protein, as well as quite a few other minerals, such as potassium, iron, magnesium, and zinc."  Hemp milk is also calorie dense, which provides a great opportunity to give children energy throughout the day. 

(Source: https://www.organicfacts.net/hemp-milk.html)

Here is the step by step process of how we made it:

1. First, we blended the water and the hemp seeds together in a blender.

2. Then we poured the pulpy mixture through a nut milk bag. 

The children were actively involved in the process of squeezing the bag to extract the liquid.

3. We then combined the milk with some dates that had been soaked in water, cacao powder, and a pinch of salt.

4. Then, we served the hemp milk to the entire class. 

Many of the children commented that they liked the taste of the milk. One comment that was heard often was "I liked the chocolate."  Cacao powder contains "Protein, Potassium and Zinc, as well as Dietary Fiber, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Copper and Manganese" (Source: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/sweets/5471/2).

Iron is one of the most important nutrients for children to consume because many children do not respond well to other sources of iron, such as kale and spinach.  Making these smoothies allows children to consume these important nutrients in a way that is appealing to their taste buds. The link below provides a list of common nutrient deficiencies among young children.

(Source: https://www.seewhatgrows.org/common-nutrient-deficiencies-childhood/).

5. The pulp that is leftover from the extraction process can be used to make crackers when combined with flax seeds, chia seeds, and some seasonings.  The mixture can be placed in an oven at a low temperature or a dehydrator and then cut into bite-sized portions. For people who enjoy fishing, the pulp can also be used to make fish bait.

Don't throw it in the compost - it is still rich in fibre and nutrients!  

Teaching children about health fosters habits that can last for an entire lifetime.  

“

The greatest wealth is health.

Virgil