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Am I the only other mom who feels like if I sneak veggies into my kids’ smoothies, then I don’t have to feed them veggies for the rest of the day? We are farrrr from ideal when it comes to vegetable intake at these ages and stages, but when I can sneak some in I am oh so grateful!
This past year for Christmas, I received a Ninja Blender and I LOVE it. We use it at least once a day. I not only use it on smoothies for myself and the kids, but also on dressings and sauces for dinner recipes. The Auto IQ feature automatically senses when it should pulse and for how long. You know how nice it is to pop it in, press start and walk away instead of stand there with a baby in hand!? Easy to store, easy to use, and great at what it does…I highly recommend it!
Prep
Although they take little time to make, sometimes it’s nice to prepare ahead of time, especially if I don’t have room for whole spinach boxes in my fridge that particular week. I make single or double serving sizes of leafy greens and handfuls of fruit and pop them in baggies in the freezer to pull out and add liquid to throughout the week. This way the big boys can easily make their own too.
Ingredients
I don’t have specific recipes, because we change it up all the time and, honestly, when we stick within our basic guidelines, it pretty much always guarantees yumminess! Our basic three smoothie ingredients are:
1 cup greens
1 cup liquid
1 handful fruit
Greens: As far as greens, I like to stick to spinach for the kids because it has a more mild taste than the arugula or kale I throw in my own. Avocados are tasteless and add creaminess as well!
Liquid: I love coconut milk for the kids because it makes it extra creamy, but almond milk tastes good as well. We try to steer away from too much cow’s milk because of its sugar contents. If you prefer no milk, you can use water for a more plain taste or coconut water for a sweeter taste.
Fruit: For the kids I go with one of the sweeter fruits-bananas, frozen mango, or frozen pineapple. Pitted dates make for a delicious natural sweetener as well! I try to stick to the lesser sweet fruits like berries for my own.
Try this one for starters for your kids:
1 cup fresh spinach
1 cup milk (coconut or almond)
1/2 cup frozen pineapple
1/2 cup frozen mango
1/2 banana
Enjoy
Healthy Smoothie Add-Ins:
The seeds are fairly tasteless for the kids but the powders are more for the moms;)
Maca Powder – An ancient superfood that can help balance hormones and strengthen bone density.
Chia Seeds – These little seeds pack a punch with Omega-3 fatty acids, they support the heart. Blend well to avoid too much texture, or sprinkle on top for a crunchy addition.
Hemp Seeds – These little seeds help aid digestion, contain high-quality protein, and add some essential pops of potassium and Vitamin E to your smoothie.
Bee Pollen – This treat from nature contains powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties. It has also been known to relieve allergies and inflammation.
Chaga Powder – A powerful medicinal mushroom that protects the liver and boosts immunity.
Flax Seeds – These little guys will get things moving for you or your little one in no time 😉
Cacao Nibs – Raw chocolate that provides fiber, aids in digestive help, and adds a chocolate flavor to your smoothies!
Acai Powder – Derived from the most powerful little berry around, contains a level of antioxidants that are hard to beat!
Tumeric – Unbelievably powerful health benefits but it does come with a powerful taste. Any potent smoothies that aren’t particular tasty do well with a squeeze of lemon juice-the citrus tends to mask the potent taste.
(I prefer to take my tumeric through the most tasteless way-supplements. Consult your doctor before taking this while pregnant or while trying to become pregnant).
A note on coconut milk- we prefer Native Forest Simple, made without guar gum.
Blending Tips
I recommend blending your leafy greens and liquid first for while, to make it truly smooth, as your kids will be quick to spit it out if you have to chew tiny green chunks.
These are our favorite smoothie cups for kids!
Also, if you are looking to treat yourself to healthy deliciousness, give a Daily Harvest Box a try!
Use BRINGON2020 at checkout for $25 off your first box!
I think this is a great gift for a new mom or a friend who could use a little help…a nice alternative to your every day meal train!
What is your favorite veggie + fruit smoothie recipe for kids or moms? Let us know in the comments below and we will give it a try!
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