How I Get my Kids to Drink Green Smoothies
~ by Cristina Cavalieri D’Oro
So you’ve decided to get your kids to try something new by taking the greens off the plate and blending them into those creamy sweet, luscious smoothies. You’re sure one taste is all it will take. And even more importantly, you feel good about it. But then all your hopes collapse as they take one look at the color and run for the hills before giving your kitchen witchery a fair shot!
As a mom, I have been there and done that. Like you, I know there is no logical reason for any sweet loving child to pass on such brilliant alchemy. That is why I am so excited to share my triumphs for raising green smoothie loving kids. It’s pretty simple really. They just don’t know they’re slurping nutrient-dense kale, broccoli, spinach or arugula (and even more hidden goodies).
How did I mask such unappealing, tantrum-evoking produce? I learned how to hide the offending greens by hiding their tell-tale color.
Kid-Friendly Green Smoothies 101
If my kids see the color green in their cup, forget about it. It is like kryptonite to Superman, they run and hide! The color of a smoothie has to look appealing to them even if they KNOW greens are inside! The secret is to use your kids’ favorite drink colors to create an utterly un-green smoothie. The base smoothie color should resemble the fruit smoothie you are making.
Berries are the real key. They are not only highly nutritious but I can count on their rich pigment to mask the aforementioned greens, giving us a delicious deep red or purple smoothie.
Lighter-colored fruits are more tricky. You need to blend them with some berries – and tell your kids.
Maximize the Un-Green Smoothie
But why stop there? Smoothies are also a creative way to get a mix of different vegetables and fruits in the diet. You can keep them really simple or add superfoods, flax, chia or hemp seeds, and even probiotics.
[tweet_dis]To avoid a smoothie breakfast rut, pour some smoothie over granola as a snack[/tweet_dis], use it as a ‘jam’ on a sandwich, and freeze it in popsicle molds for frozen treats!
Our Favorite Kid-Friendly Green Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients for Creamy Blueberry:
- 1 pear
- 1 banana
- ½ avocado
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 stick celery
- 2 cups frozen blueberries
- Water (amount to desired thickness)
Directions:
- Blend everything except the blueberries.
- When well combined, add the blueberries, as adding them last will give the smoothie a purple color.
Unleash your own creativity and invite your kids into the kitchen to make their own green smoothies!
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We’d love to know what recipes YOUR kids love the most!
Join us for our 24-Day Green Smoothie Countdown To Christmas
It’s here again!!! Our most loved and highly-participated Healthy Holiday Plan: 24-Day Green Smoothie Countdown To Christmas.
Starting on December 1st
if you sign up for our 24-Day Green Smoothie Countdown to Christmas, you’ll be GUARANTEED the healthiest holidays ever! So affordable, no excuses! Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, the holidays are here, and overeating is just about unavoidable.
Unless, you sign up now for our 24-Day Green Smoothie Countdown
to Christmas, that is! 😉
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Meet Cristina Cavalieri D’Oro
A health and nature enthusiast for over 15 years, Cristina is passionate about natural living. Since becoming a mother of two girls through natural birth, Cristina is further motivated into the realm of wellness that empowers the female spirit. She leads her household through mindful parenting, healthy nutrition, green living and loves to find creative ways to incorporate greens into meals and raw desserts. You can find her at For The Love Of Greens