I don't know about you all, but I was the perfect parent...before I had a kid.
No joke, I remember thinking:
My kid will never be a picky eater.
He just won't have any option other than healthy food.
If he doesn't eat what I make, he'll just go to bed hungry. I don't negotiate with terrorists!
Yep, I was naive, I admit it. And though I still try to adhere to that last one a bit, my poor mama heart just can't let my kiddo go to bed hungry.
Admittedly so, I was actually doing well with not having a picky eater. That is until he became a toddler and somehow developed a mind of his own. Now I have a kid that will sit down and eat an entire can of peas one day and then refuse to touch a vegetable with a ten-foot pole the next. So what is a health-conscious mama to do?
Fortunately, I am a smoothie lover and consider myself a bit of a blended drink connoisseur since I have one for breakfast every day. Now my son loves them just as much as I do, which is fantastic because I have developed my smoothie making into an art form when it comes to hiding vegetables.
Because, lets face it, even as adults the last thing we want to eat is a bowl full of vegetables. At least not unless they are covered in some delicious dressing. So here I have created a few new recipes that are toddler friendly and mother approved to ensure you give your little love a delicious treat that is packed with everything they may not be getting on their dinner plate.
And don't let the green color fool you—I can personally attest that all you will taste is the good stuff.
Enjoy!
Peanut Butter, Banana, and Spinach Smoothie
Yep, this classic smoothie is super simple to make yet a favorite in this household because it is so darn tasty. To make this and each of the other smoothies listed here easier to make, try freezing your ingredients ahead of time and popping them in the freezer in individual baggies.
What You'll Need:
1 cup spinach
1 banana (save a 1/4 to layer on top if you are making smoothie bowls)
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/4 cup non-fat vanilla Greek yogurt
1 tbs creamy peanut butter
1 tsp chia seeds
1/2 cup crushed ice (less if your fruits and veggies are already frozen)
Blend all ingredients except chia seeds which you can sprinkle on top. For added texture let them soak in the fridge for an hour before serving.
Strawberry-Mango, Spinach, and Pea Smoothie
Yes, you heard that right—there are peas in this smoothie! I know, I was a bit mortified when I first made it, but am so thankful that I dared to try it! The amount of peas is small enough to not overpower the flavor of the mangoes, but they add a few extra nutrients than the spinach alone. Although, if your kiddo has a particularly sensitive pallet and can still taste the peas, feel free to add more fruit or yogurt.
What You'll Need:
1/2 cup of frozen diced mangoes
1/2 cup diced strawberries
1 cup spinach
1/8 cup of frozen or thawed sweet peas
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/4 cup non-fat vanilla Greek yogurt
1/2 cup crushed ice (less if your fruits and veggies are already frozen)
Blend and enjoy!
Peanut Butter and Jelly Green Smoothie
Like most toddlers, my kiddo loves PB&J's. And I have to say, I love making them! They are so easy to make, you can cut them into fun shapes, and can be made very healthy if you use the right ingredients.
What You'll Need:
1 cup spinach
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/4 cup non-fat vanilla Greek yogurt
2 tbs creamy peanut butter (or PBfit powder)
2 tbs organic, low-sugar (or sugar free) jelly (flavor of your choice)
1 tsp chia seeds
1 tsp PBfit powder
Blend all ingredients except the chia seeds and tsp of PBfit powder. Use those to sprinkle on top of the smoothie. You can set aside in the fridge for a while to let the chia seeds plump up to make the smoothies extra filling.
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