Four Kid-Friendly Green Smoothies

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St. Patrick’s Day is upon us! While green beer has become a common celebratory beverage for adults on the holiday, there aren’t too many green beverage options for kids (or those who don’t like food color arbitrarily added to their beverages).

Enter the green smoothie! I’ve been on the green smoothie bandwagon for years. My kids are thankfully completely unfazed by green-hued smoothies. Smoothies are a great way to get lots of nutrient-rich foods into a portable and quick meal. I will warn you: the darker green smoothies below are a mess to get out of light-colored clothing. Learn from my many mistakes (I’m a slow learner) and use a cup with a straw and a lid. Please, drink responsibly.

These four recipes are naturally green thanks to Mother Nature and her potent natural colors. They are also a great breakfast for adults, especially if your St. Patrick’s Day plans involve some evening debauchery and, perhaps, some fluorescent green beer. Please, drink responsibly.

Key Lime Pie Smoothie

Key Lime Pie Smoothie

(aka: “The only way my son will consume avocado” smoothie)

Ingredients:

  • 3–4 Tbsp. lime juice (regular or key lime)
  • 1/2 cup ice cubes
  • 1/2 small ripe avocado (about 1/3 cup worth)
  • 1/2 cup apple juice
  • 1/2 frozen banana
  • 1 graham cracker
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Add water or ice as needed to create desired consistency. Top with crushed graham cracker if you’re feeling ambitious.

Green PB&B Smoothie

Green Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie

(aka: Perfect Starter Green Smoothie, tastes like a milkshake—you know, if milkshakes had spinach…)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups fresh spinach leave
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • 2 Tbsp. peanut butter

Directions:

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Add water or ice as needed to create desired consistency.

Creamy Mojito Smoothie

Creamy Mojito Smoothie

(aka: a family-friendly, avocado-containing, rum-abstaining version of a Mojito)

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 small, ripe avocado
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1/4 cup frozen pineapple
  • 3 Tbsp. lime juice
  • 1 Tbsp. honey or agave nectar (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • 3/4 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • 6–8 fresh mint leaves OR scant 1/4 tsp. mint extract

Directions:

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Add water or ice as needed to create desired consistency.

Tart and Fruity Green Smoothie

Tart and Fruity Green Smoothie

(My son calls this the “Fart and Tooty” Green Smoothie. You’re welcome.)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
  • 1/2 cup frozen mango
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup plain yogurt

Directions:

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Add water or ice as needed to create desired consistency.

Michelle
Michelle moved to San Antonio eight years ago and yet still feels like a newcomer. She is rather smitten with the Alamo City. She and her husband met at Texas A&M and started their marriage in Minnesota. After six years of very cold winters, they returned to Texas. Michelle has two kids (12 and 9), along with a very quirky rescue dog and two rather cute guinea pigs. A former corporate food scientist turned part-time yoga instructor, she still takes her food very seriously—she just doesn’t get paid for it anymore. She is fueled by tea, cold brew coffee, yoga, dog walking, books and quickly googling answers to her kids eleventy million questions.