Easy, Delicious Fruit Smoothies

Big heavy breakfasts are so yesterday. Today’s kids want something quick, fresh and fruity. And if you can drink it, all the better! Let the kids help you make fruit and yogurt smoothies for breakfast, and know they’re eating right.

Start by asking them, "What's your favorite fruit?" Almost anything can be mixed with yogurt for a fruity drink. Fruit and yogurt smoothies are a healthy and filling breakfast or snack and kids love them year around. Smoothies are a great snack to make with your kids’ help. A parent will need to cut up the fruit and operate the blender, but kids love to spoon ingredients into the blender pitcher and watch it all turn into a smooth, swirled treat.

The basic fruit smoothie recipe is 2 cups ice cubes, 1 cup vanilla yogurt, ½-1 cup fruit, and an option of up to ½ cup fruit juice or liquid. The recipe can be varied, depending on whether you prefer thinner, juicier smoothies or thicker smoothies more like milkshakes.

Experiment with your favorite fruits, different flavors of smooth yogurt and garnishes. Do your kids like apples and peanut butter? Try blending peeled apple chunks, peanut butter and yogurt into a smoothie, garnished with raisins and cinnamon. Sprinkle in granola or Grape Nuts or other cereals as a crunchy addition to a smoothie.

For an even healthier smoothie, use low-fat or non-fat yogurt. If fresh fruit isn’t in season, substitute frozen fruit. And if your out of fruit altogether, try blending jam, jelly or fruit spreads in different flavors.

Here are five smoothie recipes your kids can help you make.

Banana Strawberry Smoothie

• 1 cup vanilla yogurt
• ½ banana sliced
• 4-5 strawberries, hulled and cut in half
• 2 cups ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth.

Cherry Chocolate Smoothie

• 1 cup frozen unsweetened dark cherries, pitted
• 1 cup vanilla yogurt
• 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup
• 2 cups ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Tropical Fruit Smoothie

• ½ cup kiwi, peeled and cut up
• ½ cup mango, peeled and cut up
• ½ cup pineapple juice
• 1 cup vanilla yogurt
• 2 cups ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth.

Blueberry Granola Smoothie

• 1 cup vanilla yogurt
• ½-1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 2 cups ice cubes
• ¼ cup granola

Combine yogurt, blueberries and ice cubes in a blender and mix until smooth. Hand stir in granola until well mixed.

Lemon Raspberry Smoothie

• 1 cup lemon yogurt
• 1 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen
• ½ cup lemonade
• 2 cups ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in blender and mix until smooth.

For more ideas for smoothie recipes, check out Suite’s Healthy Cooking article on Smoothie Recipes.

Fruit Smoothie

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