When it gets hot, all my girls want are smoothies. We eat lightly during the summer, but it’s important to me to make sure they’re still eating well. Smoothies are great, because they’re just so versatile!
I use a simple ratio of 1:2 milk and yogurt and customize for each girl. For K, the fruitier the better. She doesn’t tolerate cow’s milk so I use almond for the extra protein. M loves her cow milk, but she prefers extra thick smoothies. I give her extra chia (a fantastic thickener and great source of protein!) J is still little for full smoothies, but I love to blend bananas or strawberries into her milk for an extra boost. And she loves it too!
We all love our homemade yogurt, which is a delicious alternative to store-bought. It’s also cheap, which is great since we go through gallons of it in the summer!
Here are three of our favorite recipes. Remember, you can always mix it up and add your own favorites! Happy blending!
Mixed Berry Smoothie
Equipment
- blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup yogurt plain or vanilla
- ½ cup milk almond, cow, or goat
- ½ tbsp chia seeds
- ⅓ cup mixed frozen fruit blueberries, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, mangos, bananas
Instructions
- Pour milk, then yogurt into the blender.
- Add chia and frozen fruit.
- Blend on high for approximately one minute, enough to fully chop the fruit for easy sipping. (For younger children, fruit may be pureed separately first before adding to the blender.)
- Serve in a cup with a straw for littles.
Extra Thick Blueberry Smoothie
Equipment
- blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup yogurt plain or vanilla
- ½ cup milk almond, cow, or goat
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 6 leaves spinach
- ⅓ cup frozen blueberries
Instructions
- Pour milk, then yogurt into the blender.
- Add chia and frozen fruit.
- Blend on high for approximately one minute, enough to fully chop the fruit for easy sipping. (For younger children, fruit may be pureed separately first before adding to the blender.)
- Serve in a cup with a straw for littles.
Baby Fruity Smoothie
Equipment
- blender
Ingredients
- 7 oz milk breast, goat, or formula
- 1 oz yogurt plain or vanilla
- 1 tpsb single fresh fruit banana OR strawberry OR blueberry
Instructions
- Puree chosen fruit on high until no chunks remain.
- Add yogurt, then milk and blend completely.
- Serve in a sippy cup.