SMOOTHIES!

It proves tough to get the daily recommended portions of fruit into children, especially in the winter months.  Smoothies are not only great for this but are so refreshing in the summer months and so versatile.

I tend to fill up the smoothie maker or a blender and make some delicious smoothies as a day time snack.

The best thing about them is you can add virtually any fruit to a blender (bar the likes of kiwis or apples as they need to be juiced) along with any other ingredients you like. 

Trying to encourage them to eat fruit can be tricky but these smoothies will be the answer to your problems!

They are great for a cool refreshing snack drink during the warm summer days too.

Really, you can just through whatever berries and fruit you have in but here’s a few of our favourites that can start you off trying. (Each will make approx 4x glasses)

Served to 2 eager boys and one busy big boy too!

Mango madness:

• 1 banana
• handful of strawberries
• 1 whole sliced mango
• cranberry juice
• fresh orange juice
• squeeze of honey

You can add ice cream to this if you like but leave it out for a healthier option. 

• Add ice at the end and pulse

Mixed berry:

• Freshly squeezed orange juice
• A squeeze of honey
• Juice of a lime
• Mixed red berries (I use frozen berries, straight from the freezer; they are perfect and act as ice also.  The frozen fruit will be so amazing and refreshing!)

This can be set as a refreshing sorbet too by placing it in individual bowls and placing in the freezer for about an hour to semi set.  Serve straight from the freezer.

Strawberry Banana:

• 1 banana
• strawberries
• ½ cup of vanilla yogurt and milk
• squeeze of honey
• some ice at the end and pulse

Exotic twist:

• Frozen peach
• Frozen mango
• Plain yogurt
• Ice
• A little sugar

And for the adults, cappuccino smoothie…………my favourite:

• Shot of espresso
• 1x banana
• 200ml Milk
• 2x scoops of ice cream
• A squeeze of honey
• Pulsed ice

Just have a play around and see what delicious drinks you can come up with.

TIP:  By freezing your fruit and adding them directly from the freezer into the blender when making your smoothie, will give your drink a deliciously refreshing touch!