Vegan Recipe: Vitamin Packed Smoothie

I am a parent who is always trying to find ways to pack the most into each feeding. Smoothies are a great way to jam a zillion things into something enjoyable for kids. They understand a smoothie, it is a sweet treat. They don't need to know that you packed spinach or beets into it, no need. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think we should lie to our kids or trick them, but they also don't need to know every ingredient that they eat. Cordelia would lose her mind if she knew that she had to eat spinach, or as she calls anything leafy and green "lettuce." Seriously the girl has a freakish gag reflex and will vomit if I so much as tickle her lips with a piece of spinach.

She recently asked me to sneak veggies into her food to keep her healthy. What?! Who asks that? So this smoothie makes a great afternoon snack. The recipe is totally basic and very versatile. You can add or subtract to your taste. I just make sure to have lots of fruit sweetness to counter the veggies if you are trying to appease the younger crowd.


Each ingredient in this recipe has loads of healthy benefits.
Banana is an amazing source of potassium. Pineapple is a great source of vitamin C. Spinach well, just read this link to see how great it is for you. Blueberry and strawberry are full of antioxidants!Wheat Germ is a great source of fiber and it will keep you regular (wink, wink), not that that's a major issue for vegans (wink, wink). Almonds and almond milk are vitamin rich too!

1 ripe banana, roughly chopped
1/4 c pineapple
1/4 c strawberries
1/4 c frozen chopped spinach
1/2 cup of blueberries (frozen or fresh)
1 T wheat germ
1 c vanilla almond milk

1. Toss everything into a blender.
2. Blend
3. Enjoy

Makes 3 small glasses
***Bonus: As you experiment with this recipe you can increase certain ingredients (spinach) as your child gets used to it. Add any mild tasting pureed veggie as you change things up a bit. My health food store has all of the veggies pureed and frozen and I would imagine yours does too, if you don't have time to do that on your own.