We get our veggies fresh from the farm each week and have lots of healthy greens. At first, I was motivated to try lots of new recipes with the greens, but some weeks I am just too busy and needed to find a way to use them. Jennifer Fischer of The Good Long Road, who recommended the farm fresh produce to me, said she always puts her greens into a smoothie. So, I started to do that and am no longer overwhelmed by the volume. Plus, it is a great way to get our kids to consume lots of fresh greens! This week, the theme for Playful Preschool is ponds. The fresh green smoothies look a lot like pond water so I decided to have our kids help make some Healthy Green ‘Pond Water’ Smoothies.
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You will need:
- 3 cups of lightly packed torn leaves from healthy greens (Kids love to tear up greens and it is great for fine motor)! We used rainbow spinach, chard and lettuce.
- 1 cup of chopped watermelon (Have kids cut up the watermelon with a butter knife)
- 1 banana
- 3 Tablespoons of Vanilla Protein Powder (Optional, but it is great for added protein. I linked to the one we use).
- 2 cups of unfiltered apple juice, sometimes called cider (with no added spices)
- 1 cup of orange juice
- Ice (between 3-5 cups depending on preference)
- Clear cups to serve it in
- Stickers of fish and plants-Turtles and frogs would also be great sticker additions.
- Blender.
- Cutting board and butter knife
- Measuring cups
Have your preschoolers tear up the healthy greens and measure them. They can chop the watermelon with a butter knife. Have one of your preschoolers peel the banana and cut it into pieces. Help them pour and measure the juices. Add everything to the blender except for the ice and blend until very smooth. Add the ice one cup at a time until it reaches the desired consistency. Have your preschoolers create a pond scene on their clear cups with stickers. Pour the ‘pond water’ smoothies into their cups. Our kids loved their smoothies and the stickers and asked if they could make them again another day. I don’t see why not!
My kids have never tried a smoothie but with Pond's and Green being my eldest's favourite I'm going to give this a go.
Cerys – are you series? My kids live off smoothies. (literally) My poor blender runs until it can't run no more. Sadly, they foo foo any green in them. Any Tricks? I'd love them to drink some pond water. he he he (the smoothie that is!)
Fun idea! I love that they decorated the cups. My kids love smoothies too. 🙂
Hi Cerys.
I would love to know what your kids think of smoothies. Our kids love them.
: 0 ) Theresa
Hi Amanda.
I suggest adding their favorite fruit flavors with less greens at first so that they get the green color while it tastes just like their other smoothies. Decorating the cups also helps. Then, once they get past the color, you can add more and more greens.
: 0 ) Theresa
Hi Danielle.
There is something fun about smoothies. Even the word 'smoothie' is fun.
: 0 ) Theresa
Fun name and perfect for those stickers on the clear cup! I love how I can sneak spinach in smoothies and you can't taste it! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
How lucky to have fresh farm greens. It's awesome how you get the kids involved in making the smoothies.
Hi Bree Talks.
It is great that the greens are in there but do not dominate the flavor.
: 0 ) Theresa
Hi Shelah.
We do feel very fortunate to have the farm fresh greens. It is nice that, since we get the box, we automatically make healthy choices as we need to use those ingredients.
: 0 ) Theresa
My oldest loves green smoothies. Can't wait to try this recipe!
Hi Growing Book by Book.
I hope he enjoys it.
: 0 ) Theresa
My girls love smoothies, can't wait to let them try this out.
Yum! I love green smoothies – the sticker decorations are brilliant! Pinned and thank you for joining What Kids Eat Wednesday's! The party is going again until Sunday 😀