The Carrot Crusher! (Smoothie)

     One of my twins, we'll call him "O", most decidedly does NOT like carrots. Not the "crunchy" kind. Not the "soft" kind. He is very clear. Not in a box. Not with a fox. You get the picture.

     However he most decidedly DOES like monster trucks. Therefore, I was able to sneak a whole 1/3 of a cup of grated carrots in him by pairing them with mango and giving them a cool "arena name". Letting him drive his truck over a pile of carrots while I worked didn't hurt either!

2 generous cups frozen mango chunks

1 cup shredded carrot

1 can lite coconut milk
a dozen red grapes for sweetness

1/4 tsp ginger powder

Serves 3

Note: This is a very mild-tasting smoothie that my kids really enjoy. For me -someone who likes exciting food- it's a little bland. Try adding 1/2 a banana for sweetness and/or the juice of half a lime for brightness :)

Green "Monster Truck" Smoothie

     One of the keys to a kid-friendly green monster is CITRUS! Citrus flavor covers a multitude of sins ... or vegetables in this case. This recipe is banana free for those people who just can't warm up to the banana flavor is most smoothies. Half an avocado gives it its silky texture as well. And, as always, be sure to blend on high for at least 3 minutes to avoid a somethings-stuck-in-my-straw toddler meltdown!

2 mandarin oranges, peeled

2 kale leaves, stems removed

1 heaping cup frozen pineapple

1/2 cup chopped cucumber

1/2 avocado, pitted and peeled

1 cup almond milk

1/2 cup orange juice (fresh is best)

Serves 3

5 Tips to Get Your Kids Drinking Their Veggies

     If you think passing a Kale and Cucumber Smoothie off on a non-veggie-loving adult is hard, it can be even MORE challenging to make appealing to a non-veggie-loving TODDLER! Here are my 5 Tips to get your toddlers drinking their veggies.

1. Go Slow

It's unlikely that a two or three-year-old will just love a green monster the first time it's presented. In fact, it takes multiple exposures for young children to decide conclusively if they like any new food. Make a smoothie you love and offer a little bit to your child. If they don't like it, don't sweat! Offer it again another day, and another... and another.

2. Name It

Again, the word "Kale" is probably going to send my twin toddlers running! Currently, however, they are BIG into monster trucks and so our smoothies have more suceessful names like "Carrot Crusher", "Nut Butter Mudder", and "Green Monster-Truck".

3. Color Match

Toddlers have a keen, discerning eye for veggie deception. Hide carrots in a mango smoothie, kale in "limeade", and - when in doubt - add blueberries. Blueberries dye anything purple!

4. Blend, baby. Blend

Dare I leave one small carrot nib in a smoothie, my texture-sensitive kid will passionately declare (with drama only a toddler can muster): "I can't drink like this!!" And then there's the lump-stuck-in-my-straw meltdown that must be avoided at all cost. Blend toddler smoothies FOR.E.VER (or at least on high for 3 minutes.)

5. Involve Them

Once my little guys got used to drinking smoothies with hidden veggies, I started involving them in the process. Helping chop, add, or blend produce made them more open to trying new things!