Thursday, June 14, 2018

Simple Smoothies

I love making my kids smoothies because I feel like it covers their fruit, veggies and dairy all in one glass and makes the perfect side to super easy things like grilled cheese or Trader Joes mini chicken tacos.

Here's what I use...
- Fresh baby spinach
- frozen blueberries
- frozen strawberries
- bananas
- skim milk
- yogurt (I've used all different kinds)




For Luke's smoothie I'll throw in 8 or so frozen strawberries, a whole banana, as much spinach as I can cram in there and then top it with about 1/4 - 1/2 cup of yogurt (they prefer strawberry) and throw in a splash or two of milk.


I blend it all up (and yes... I have the world's cheapest blender and it kind of sucks... but it's working so I'm going to keep going with it until it dies) and then add more milk if it's too thick or more frozen berries if it's too thin.  I like using frozen berries because the consistency ends up being better and it's convenient - but if I have fresh fruit that I need to use I'll throw that in there too.


I fill Luke's cup and then use what's left in Mason and Griffin's smoothies.  They both like blueberries and Luke doesn't so I make his first and then make theirs.


I throw the same things in the blender (more frozen strawberries, another banana, a TON of spinach, yogurt and milk) and then throw in a bunch of frozen blueberries.



I blend it all together, pour it into their cups and I'm good to go!



They all LOVE these smoothies and while I've tried some different combos (adding peaches, raspberries, etc.) they all request this combo and as long as they're drinking spinach I'm not going to fight them. :)  Our babysitter, Miss Lisa, used to make these for my kids when they were with her and she would throw in all kinds of healthy stuff like chia seeds and then finish them off with a splash of half and half :) 


Typically they'll drink the whole thing at one sitting, but if not I just stick them in the fridge and they'll either finish them before the next meal or at the next meal. 



Happy Thursday and Happy smoothie-ing, friends!!!

23 comments :

  1. Your blender looks like mine. And mine just bit the dust. :(

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    1. On the one hand it kind of sucks so I think I'll be glad when I get one that works better - hahaha Let me know what kind you got!

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  2. Sounds delicious! Smoothies are pretty popular around here too. We will throw in a scoop of vanilla protein powder as well. And, sometimes, some quick oats for a little texture.

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  3. My boys aren't big smoothie fans( weird kids!) but I am. So. good!

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  4. Yum! We love smoothies around here too. I'm impressed with your blender. I tried a Ninja blender because I heard good things but ended up not liking it and got a Nutribullet (which I recommend when it's time to replace yours!).

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    1. Ooooh! I'm going to start looking into Nutribullet now! Thanks for the recommendation!

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  5. I make smoothies for my 5 year old boys all the time! I've made a bunch of different combos but they always ask for "lettuce smoothies!" LOL Not sure why but they are adamant that I put spinach in and that makes it a "lettuce smoothie". Their Fav combo is Spinach and Pineapple coconut water (blended up first), then frozen banana, frozen mixed berry blend from Costco, and I add in a scoop of Superfoods (also from Costco) just for extra good stuff. I'll have to give your recipe a try- haven't used yogurt and milk in one for them yet!

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    1. Ooooh! That sounds awesome - my kids don't love it when they don't have yogurt but it's worth a shot!

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  6. Yum!! I love smoothies, and agree that its a great way to sneak in some fruits and veggies. Even I need to trick myself into having some extra spinach now and then! When I'm having a crazy busy week, sometimes I'll buy the pre-made frozen Jamba Juice pouches. You just throw them in the blender with juice and its done in a matter of seconds.

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    1. I've never even heard of those!!! Looking them up now!

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  7. I find that using frozen fruit really "clogs" (for lack of a better word) the blades in not only my blender but also my little Ninja blender. SOOO ANNOYING!

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    1. Hmmmm - I usually have to stir mine up a bit to get it going - so I can see where you're coming from

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  8. so good for them! I love throwing some chocolate protein powder,cocoa,peanut butter,flax meal,almond milk and ice....btw, you should try growing some of your own spinach with the kifse. Super easy and delicious! Try it in the fall...it's too hot now.😊🌿

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  9. My kids love smoothies, so we make them every day! Our favorite is strawberries, bananas and local honey!

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    1. Yum! I know local honey is great for allergies so I should try to add that in for my kids - thanks for the tip!

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  10. I gave my Oster blender to a friend...it had a plastic jar and now I can't find another one!!! So....I ordered a refurbished Vitamix...much cheaper than the brand new one...I can't wait to get it...coming on Monday!!! :-)

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  11. My kids LOVE smoothies as well. Their all time favorite, which is more dessert like but still fairly healthy is the peanut butter banana chocolate smoothie. It's just 1 cup of milk, 3 tbsp peanut butter, 2 bananas, 2 tbsp honey and 1 tbsp cocoa powder. Add about 10 ice cubes and you have a delicious summer treat!

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  12. I just tried this for my kids and they LOVED it!! Thank you for this post!

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