Most parents wish they could get their children to eat more fruits and veggies throughout the day. Sometimes kids seem willing to eat these healthy foods, other times, not so much. I have discovered a great way to work in those fruits by making fruit smoothies as after school snacks. They are super easy, healthy, and kids love them.
There are several ways to make a smoothie, but I keep mine simple, using only fresh fruit, milk, and ice.The key ingredient to my smoothies is a banana, otherwise you cannot achieve the correct texture. You can keep it a plain banana smoothie, or add other fruits for an interesting and tasty blend. I’ve experimented with several fruits, and find that strawberries and blueberries seem to create the best textured blends, while apples tend to make it a little runny. Pears are also a good fruit to add to the banana.
To make the smoothie, simply gather your ingredients, and plug in the blender. Peel the banana and break in half, then toss into blender. Add additional fruits if desired. Add a small amount of milk to allow the items to begin blending easily. Don’t add too much as you are trying to achieve the texture of a milkshake. If it ends up being too thick, you can always add more milk later. Soy milks or non-dairy creamers can be substituted for those with issues with dairy or lactose.
After fruit and milk mixture has blended well, begin adding ice cubes. Grind a handful in, watching progress with each addition of ice. Keep blending and adding ice until a thick, milkshake-like texture is achieved. When finished mixing, serve to children in large plastic cups with a spoon. They will love it! This is a great way to get your kids to consume more fruits, and makes a delicious and nutritious snack.