We have smoothies a lot. It’s a good way to get fruit and/or veggies into the kids without any fuss.
It’s important to have a good blender that can handle fruits/veggies and ice. I love our new Calphalon Blender. I received it through one of my review programs.
We also have reusable shake straws– they are perfect for thick smoothies.
Here are the four recipes that my kids love!
Copycat Strawberries Gone Bananas (from Jamba): 1 cup apple juice (or milk), 1 frozen banana, 1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries, 1/2 cup ice (or more, depending on how thick you like your smoothies). Blend all ingredients- makes 1 BIG smoothie or 2 kid-sized.
The Big Orange Smoothie: This one is the big kids’ favorite and is a version of one of his Jamba Juice favorites that is no longer on the menu. 1 cup orange juice, 1 cup frozen peaches, 1/2 c. frozen mango pulp, 1/2 cup chopped carrots, 1/2 cup ice (or more, depending on how thick you like your smoothies). Blend all ingredients- makes 1 BIG smoothie or 2 kid-sized.
Green Berry Surprise: The surprise is the spinach. You can’t see it or taste it! 1 cup water & a scoop of protein powder (Or milk of your choice), 1 cup frozen berries, 1 frozen banana, 2 large handfuls of fresh spinach, 1/2 cup ice (or more, depending on how thick you like your smoothies). Blend all ingredients- makes 1 BIG smoothie or 2 kid-sized.
Tropical Freeze: 1 cup juice (I like to mix orange and the pineapple juice from the can if you used canned pineapples until it’s 1 cup), 1 frozen banana, 1/2 c. frozen mango pulp, 1/2 cup pineapple, 1/2 c. frozen peaches, 1/2 cup ice (or more, depending on how thick you like your smoothies). Blend all ingredients- makes 1 BIG smoothie or 2 kid-sized.
The nice thing about smoothies is that you can use fresh or frozen fruit or veggies, any kind of juice, it’s all up to you!
Liquids:
- Milk: Dairy, Oat, Hemp, Soy, Almond, or other nut milk. Your Choice.
- Juice (Apple, Orange, and Carrot are popular)
- Water and a scoop of protein powder
- Water
Some of our favorite fruits include:
- Bananas (I peel and slice overripe bananas and put them in ziploc bags, so they are ready to use!)
- Strawberries- 99 Cents Only and Dollar Tree both stock 12 oz bags of strawberries. If you can’t find them in season, this is a great alternative.
- Peaches- I usually buy them frozen.
- Mangoes- 99 Cents Only sells Mango pulp, which is just the good parts of mango formed into a brick and frozen. I love mangoes, but I hate peeling and slicing them.
- Mixed berries- 99 Cents Only sells mixed berries, which is usually strawberries, blueberries, blackberries.
- Pineapple- Either canned in its own juice or frozen chunks. Frozen Pineapple is good straight out of the bag. Fresh pineapple is a lot of work to process just to turn into smoothies.
Tasty Veggies we enjoy in our smoothies:
- Carrots- I usually chop them up small so they are easily incorporated.
- Spinach- It blends in well and isn’t noticeable.
Talk Back: I’d love to hear what your favorite smoothie flavors are!
I am all about a good smoothie! Having worked in the fitness industry previously many years ago I was around when the craze began. Anything that helps get fruits and vegetables into kids and adults is a good thing! These all sound delicious but the tropical freeze would be my choice. Pineapple is so good!
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Awesome recipes! My kiddos love smoothies so we will definitely have to try some of these – thanks such for sharing!
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These are great smoothie recipes for kids. A good way to get some extra nutrients into their diet.
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My kids love smoothies! I like how you can sneak veggies in there and they won’t know. My kids don’t really care if it’s green. They still go by the taste. And I love the straws! So glad they aren’t plastic! And easy to clean!
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Smoothies are a must for me. I love looking and trying different flavours. This recipe is mouthwatering.
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Smoothies are so yummy and versatile! We can mix it up with so many different ingredients. Loved the Tropical Freezze smoothie, mango is my favorite fruit!
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I tend to do juicing a lot, I find it difficult to drink smoothies but these recipes looks amazing I should try.
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I love the green berry surprise! Smoothies are a great option to make sure that kids eat enough fruit.
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looks delicious. I am not a kid but I love it! makes me want to run towards kitchen and cook
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These are so great – I add peanut or almond butter to ours.
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I used to make smoothies for myself all the time in college, but have since neglected my blender haha. These are great and I think it’s high time to bust out the blender again to try these
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What a coincidence! Our blender just broke down and we’re planning on getting a new one. I have several other friends recommending the Calphalon Blender. Happy to know that you love it too since I am thinking of getting one.
Thank you for sharing these recipe. Will definitely try it as soon as we can.
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