Green Smoothies

It's hard to get my children to eat healthy so my newest trick is getting them to drink "milkshakes". I've been doing it for the past 2 months and I make them for myself and the kids at least once every other day. The one ingredient it always contains is organic baby spinach. Don't be grossed out. If you've ever had a baby spinach salad, you'll know that spinach is mild tasting and, really, once you've added the other ingredients, the kids don't even know that it's in there (except for the green colour, of course). Throw in some fruits, milk, water or juice, even some healthy seeds (flax, chia) and you've got a drink that's brimming in healthiness. You don't have to stop there either. Add some nut butters, cinnamon or spices, honey, extracts, even some health supplements (bee pollen, garlic extract) if you want. It's great for adults and children. So I bring you the Green Monster smoothie. Here is my latest combo:

Kid's Green Monster Milkshake Smoothie (makes 3 - 4 servings)

2 large handfuls baby spinach, organic
1-1/2 bananas, frozen
6 strawberries, frozen
2 yogurt tubes, peach and blueberry (I was fresh out of yogurt)
2 - 3 C milk

Blend together until smooth. If the shake is too thick and more milk and blend again.


At first, it took some convincing. Here are the kids enjoying their Green Monster:

Son Son is a sipper. It takes him forever to drink his so I started saying "You better drink the green monster before it drinks you!" He loved that. In fact, he is into superheroes. He quickly took to the idea that the drink was somehow connected to The Hulk. No problem getting him to drink his anymore.

Dai Dai still doesn't like it much, but maybe I will add some honey to his next time and slowly decrease it as he acquires a liking to it. Some bribing always works too.

Moy Moy is the best by far. She begs me for it whenever it's ready to consume.