Mommy Monday - Sesame Seeds as a Bone Builder + Chocolate Melts

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I shared this recipe on allergy-free wednesdays! So love that they put this together.



My one-year-old is absolutely, darn-right, most definitely a beautiful, strong, smart toddler. She is constantly on the go. I have to make sure she is fueled properly and that has proved difficult with her dietary challenges. Dairy bothers her; we are wary of anything containing gluten since my family is mostly gluten-intolerant. I try to provide a nourishing, well-balanced diet for her and I've come upon some tips that I think are absolutely helpful.

Today's tip centers around a little seed - Sesame.

Sesame is one of the most calcium-rich foods, teaspoon for teaspoon. It's also loaded with trace minerals  such as magnesium. Eating magnesium with calcium is important as it acts as a "'glue' that binds calcium to bone’s protein matrix, creating strong, dense bones. (Spry). Eating one ounce a day of sesame seeds can help provide 28% (based on a 2,000 calories diet) of the calcium needed daily (Nutrition Data.com). When incorporated into the diet, these little wonders of joy can help provide a good base to building strong, healthy bones.

Big Blue Eyes really enjoys scrambled eggs in the morning. She will eat two whole eggs scrambled and then a small bowl of applesauce (of which I add chia seeds) or seaweed "toasts".

What you can add sesame seeds to:
Hummus (Roasted Red Pepper Hummus recipe)
Bean Dip (or any dip well blended)
On top of eggs or toast
Sprinkled on cereal with non dairy milk
Gomasio sprinkled on rice, cooked greens, and quiches
Mixed in baked goods instead of nuts
of of course, you can make these delicious chocolate melts!

These are a great little treat after lunch to boost calcium intake.



Sesame Chocolate Melts
Ingredients
1 cup sesame seeds
1/2 c cocoa powder or carob powder
4 T agave
4 T coconut oil
1 T nettle, powdered (optional)
Pinch of salt
1. Grind sesame seeds in food processor until creamy (at least five minutes - I added 1 T of the coconut oil at this point which seemed to help).
2. Throw in remaining ingredients and process until well-combined and smooth.
3. Lay wax paper inside an 8x8 inch pan and pour mix in. Refridgerate until set (at least an hour). Cut into 1 in. (or so) squares. Seesaw your knife through the chocolate (do not hacksaw or this will break).

I also includes raw sesame seeds in her hummus instead of buying tahini. Here is a recipe I made for red bell pepper hummus (delicious with these nutritious crackers).