I don't know why I didn't think of it before, but it's a great way to get kids to get their servings of fruit...and their vegetables servings. Here's what I usually include in my smoothies:
-2 bananas
-1-2 unpeeled carrot
-a handful of spinach or a half cup of spinach puree (warning: makes the smoothie a weird color, for example, the smoothie pictured below does not have spinach in it)
-whatever fruit I have on hand (like pineapple, apricots, peaches, pears, etc.) or...
-some of my frozen fruit mix from the freezer
-a Nature Valley granola bar
-yogurt
-fruit juice or sometimes milk or water, but usually...
-oranges or orange juice (especially recommended for smoothies with spinach in them)
I fill up their straw cups and away they go! My girls love them, they can't get enough of them. And it makes me so happy because with each gulp and swallow, I'm thinking about all of the wonderfully healthy things going into their bodies...and with no struggle or convincing. The granola bar makes it more filling and the carrots and spinach provide lots of awesome nutrients. Another tip I've heard is putting flax seed into the smoothie as well, which provides Omega 3 (more for mom than the kids).
So, drink up and enjoy!
