Calcium
Milk and other calcium-rich foods are a must-have in kids' diets. After all, calcium is a key building block for strong, healthy bones. Most kids don't get their recommended 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day, but that’s not a problem at Kids & Company! We make sure your kiddies are served milk twice a day along with different blended smoothies every week, loaded with calcium, that your kiddies go crazy for! 
During childhood and adolescence, the body uses the mineral calcium to build strong bones. Bone calcium begins to decrease in young adulthood when your diet does not provide the nutrients to build bones to their maximum potential. You are then at a greater risk of fractures from weakened bones, and sometimes even more serious problems can develop!
The most obvious place you can get your kids daily calcium intake is through dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, cottage cheese, sour cream, dips and other cultured dairy foods. You can also receive your calcium through other food sources such as veggies: broccoli, dark green, leafy vegetables (especially collard), turnip greens, kale, and bok choy. Soy foods are also known to be calcium-fortified, like tofu, soy milk, tempeh, soy yogurt, and cooked soybeans, edamame. Other calcium-fortified food sources are orange juice, breads and cereal. Some food items that might be surprising that are packed with calcium are beans, almonds and fished canned with their bones.
During Nutrition month, our kiddies are going to be learning all about the importance of calcium rich dairy products and they are going to be participating in this quick and easy activity for hand strengthening that’s sure to get a couple of laughs too!
1) Wash and rinse a rubber glove several times, fill the glove with water.
2) Tie the open end of the glove so that it holds the liquid without spilling. Take a needle and prick the end of one finger of the rubber glove. Depending on the thickness of your gloves, you may need to stretch the hole with the needle in a circular motion to widen the hole.
3) Allow the child to grasp and squeeze the finger downward to simulate milking a cow. You can attempt to fill a small glass with the “milk.”
If you’re having a hard time getting your kiddies to get their daily intake of calcium, try a Kidco Kitchen favourite, our Berry Blend Smoothie!
Kidco Kitchen Berry Blend Smoothie
*Makes 6 portions
What you need:
- ¼ Cup Blueberries
- ¼ Cup Strawberries
- ¼ Cup Raspberries
- ¼ Cup Blackberries
- 2 Cup Milk
- 1 Cup Yogurt
What to do:
1. Make sure to wash your hands before you begin.
2. Add berries, milk and yogurt to blender.
3. Blend until smooth. 
From my kitchen to yours enjoy! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @kidcochildcare and on Instagram @cheflisaruscica!
Cheers,
Chef Lisa Ruscica
Chief Food Ambassador