This post is by regular contributor Brenda Winter Hansen of write again.
Hot parenting tip of the day: hand blenders+fruit=hooray!
I love breakfast. I love to prepare, cook, and eat breakfast, sometimes more than once a day. BUT, my kids are not always on the same page when it comes to the most important meal of the day, or even a decent snack. That’s when I whip up the quickest, most nutritious, and tasty solution ever. Get ready for fireworks in your mouth…or if that’s too exciting for your wee ones with restrictive palates, go simple. I’m always amazed by the happiness and satisfaction derived from the magical marriage of chocolate almond milk and a banana.
Smooth Moves:
- You need a machine! Old style blenders work great, but I LOVE my immersion hand blender ($15-40). It’s one speed with a removable bottom which makes it super easy to wash. My first one lasted twenty years and they’re great for soups and scrambling eggs too.
- You need a container! If you have a blender, you’re already there. If you have an immersion blender, make sure you get a sturdy pitcher that’s not too wide, and deep enough to avoid super splatter or a big 32oz yogurt tub will do.
- You need ingredients! Buy organic if you can.Get creative with combinations of fruits, veggies, juices, milks, yogurt & kefir, protein powder, nuts & nut butters, silken tofu, chocolate, tea, and sorbet. There’s a thin line between a smoothie and a shake (dessert!), and ice cream is where I draw the line. My kids, who make their own smoothies now, will occasionally scavenge the remaining blob of ice cream for their “smoothie” and try to justify their nutritious breakfast. I am not convinced.
Smoothies can get really complicated, but I like to start simple. Bananas are the bomb. If you need to jump start your kids who are running late or cranky as hell because they need a snack, make the simplest of smoothies: Banana+milk (hemp, oat, soy, almond, coconut, whatever). But know your audience. If your kid hates melons, don’t start there. Work up to adding vegetables. My husband, once desperate to get some real nutrients and fiber into the kids, snuck in a whole head of broccoli and they didn’t bat an eye.
Vegetable juices are a great way to slowly introduce their flavor to the mix. Carrot and beet juice are great, especially when combined with fruits like apples and blueberries. Other great fruit & veggie additions are: tomatoes, avocados, oranges, mangos, kale, cucumbers, pineapple, peaches, spinach, you name it. By all means, stock up on frozen fruits and berries. If you can buy or pick extra to freeze, even better. They make the dark winter months brighter, and the hot summer months cooler.
Protein is super important for building muscles and staving off hunger, so stock up on protein powders (whey, soy, or brown rice) and tofu. Mori-Nu silken organic tofu is great because it comes in aseptic packaging and doesn’t need refrigeration before you open it. Cottage cheese and yogurt give a dose of protein and calcium. Nuts also add a boost protein, essential fats, and a great creamy texture. Try cashews, almonds, and pecans.
Are your kids ready for fireworks? Then toss in one of these interesting and delicious additions: fresh grated ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, parsley, vanilla, rose water, a pinch of sea salt, honey, brown rice or maple syrup, ground flaxseed, coconut oil, or water.
Uh-oh, you made too much and don’t want to waste it? Don’t worry, make popsicles.
Guess what! Big kids need smoothies too, and I’m not talking about the adolescents! Whether you need a pick-me-up or a chill-me-out, take your smoothie to the next level with a shot of wow. Espresso, green tea, yerba mate, or liquor of choice will transform your smoothie to a spiky and put a smile on your face.
Need more inspiration? Check out your local library or indie bookstore for smoothie cookbooks. There are hundreds to choose from. Bottoms up!