In a perfect world, you would get up in the morning (around 10ish) and enter the living room to find your children have tidied up and are just completing their morning yoga. They will request a seaweed smoothie to-go and tell you how lucky they are to have you as their parent. There will also be a group of pink unicorns in your garden. If the sound of your kids loving kale, spinach or bak choi sounds as far-fetched as this scenario then read on...
Here's three recipes to trick the kids into loving green smoothies:
1. Sweet, green and good 'till the teens
Ingredients
- 1 large kale leaf
- 1 orange
- 2 bananas
Method
1. Peel the orange and cut it in chunky bites.
2. Peel and slice the bananas.
3. Chop the kale leaf and remove the stem.
4. Pour all
ingredient into a blender. Blend until its smooth and creamy.
5. Add a bit of water if it’s too thick for your little one.
Why it's yum It is choc-full of good antioxidants for a growing child, the natural potassium in bananas provides energy. The vitamin C from the oranges will ward off infection. Great, eh?
2. Pineapple and Avocado smoothie (not just for kids)
Ingredients
- 1 avocado
- 1 banana
- 1 cup of almond milk
- 1 cup of fresh spinach
- 1 cup of pineapple chunks
- Half cup of pineapple coconut water (or filtered water)
Method
1. Place the liquids in the blender first and then add the chopped ingredients.
2. Blend until thick and creamy.
3. Add more almond milk to dilute the mix.
Why it's yum Pineapples are superb for healthy eyes and skin. Avocado is a whole food that aids brain development and they are also full of nutrients. Spinach is high in fibre and will help the digestive system. Ace. Such a good combo.
3. "The template" for any green smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 banana
- 1 avocado
- 2 - 3 dates
- 2 tbsps of any nut butter/flax seeds/nuts/chia seeds
- 3 - 4 handfuls of bak choi, spinach or any other leafy green
- 2 cup of any milk/water/coconut water/filtered water
- 2 cups of different types of berries; strawberries, blackberries, cherries, raspberries, blue... you get it.
Method
1. Remember the darker the colour of the berry, the easier it is to hide the greenness of the smoothie.
2. Chop all of the larger ingredients up and whack everything in the blender for a seriously big fix of yum.
Why it's yum The seeds are packed with nutrients, and the berries are a natural sugar hit. The greens are great for the blood too and you can't even taste them. Genius.
You can be sure the kids
won't do this face when they taste them. Promise.
Like any suggestions on further super-food combinations for your child? Send a request:
karen.forde@herfamily.ie 
