Toddler " Hidden Veggie" Smoothie

The Amaze-Ing Me's Note:

My toddler won't eat his veggies...yes, I've tried repeatedly with various items. A friend suggested making smoothies and putting veggies in it. I poo poo'd it (to myself) until I FINALLY tried it last week. Needless to say, he's had (AND FINISHED) smoothies every day. I've given him kale, spinach, carrots, and sweet peas so far. I now buy a bunch of frozen fruits, berries, and veggies and keep them in the freezer. When I feel Mr. Picky needs a shot of veggies I make him one of these smoothies and he usually gobbles it up. However, depending on your child and which combo you choose to put in there he may reject it. Experiment and enjoy!

• Total Time: 7 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 2 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 2

• 1 cup whole milk (kids need their fats)
• 1 whole banana, peeled (hehe, obvious)
• 1 tablespoon honey or 1 tablespoon sugar or 1 tablespoon other artificial sweetener
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt or 1/4 cup vanilla yogurt

Frozen Add-ins can be any of the following

• 1/4 cup frozen cauliflower (I use this in almost all of the smoothies now)
• 1/4 cup frozen spinach
• 1/4 cup frozen strawberries or 1/4 cup blueberries or 1/4 cup pineapple or 1/4 cup mixed fruit
• kale
• 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrot

Directions:

1. Pour milk into the blender.
2. Add banana, sugar/honey/other, and then whatever frozen veggies AND a fruit to the blender. ***The key is you want to not go higher than halfway up a 5 cup blender or it gets too thick. Add milk or OJ if it gets too thick.
3. Put blender on a high setting and let it go at it for a good minute or two. Pulse a few times to make sure it's at the "right" consistency (too your liking).
4. Serve in a toddler friendly container--preferably something with a STRAW as they a) like straws and b) it helps with the intake of the smoothie. Do NOT put it in a sippy cup. Last warning -- my son had fresh kale in the first 3-4 of these I made and had some wicked black poo for days. Lets just say that was the end of the kale episode. ;).

Reviews

[mrs.mamacita]

This is brilliant! My two-year-old son refuses to eat anything green, but he sure does love smoothies! I added strawberries, peaches, a banana, spinach, and peas. He just drank two glasses of it! I even skipped the sweetener... I figured the yogurt (I used vanilla) and fruit would sweeten it enough. He loves it! Thank you!

[Yummy InMyTummy]

I have always wondered if this would taste good, but didn't want to waste my precious fruit only to be grossed out and dump it...but it was great! I made this for myself, no toddlers in my life yet, with spinach, pineapple, and frozen strawberries, then again with green beans in place of spinach. Its a weird brownish-purple color, but it tasted great! Absolutely normal smoothie! From now on, my smooties with always be a funky color, but at least I'm getting those extra veggies thanks to you! :)

[chef_mia]

OMG. I can't get my toddler to eat any veggies (... and trust me I have tried anything). I just made a batch of these smoothies with milk, fresh banana, fresh strawberries, peach yogurt, frozen peas, and frozen carrots, and a hint of honey. They are sooo yummy! I can't wait for Aidan to wake up from his nap so he can try it ...... my prediction is that he'll slurp it down. I'll let you know :)