Between 12 and 36 months of age, your child begins self-feeding and may show more eagerness in making food choices. Take advantage of her interest by offering different colors of smoothie cups or giving her a choice between banana and avocado for her green smoothie.
At the toddler age, your child is acutely aware of everything you do, so be a good role model. Pour a cup of green smoothie for your little one and a large glass for you and drink it together.
Doctors recommend that you wait until your child is at least 1 year old to give her honey or bee products, and then, introduce them slowly. First, feed her a small amount (about 1/2 teaspoon) and wait two to three days. If she doesn’t experience swelling, rashes, or noticeable discomfort, gradually increase the serving to 1 tablespoon (stopping if you notice any side effects at one of the intermediate doses).
Orange, Carob, and Almond Milk Serenade
Preparation time: 3–4 minutes
Blending time: 2 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
1 orange, peeled and seeded
1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 teaspoon carob powder
1/2 cup water
1 cup homemade almond milk
1 cup baby spinach, loosely packed
Combine the orange, raspberries, carob powder, water, and almond milk in the blender and secure the lid.
Starting at low speed and gradually increasing toward high, blend the ingredients for 30 to 45 seconds or until the mixture contains no visible pieces of fruit.
Add the spinach and blend again at medium speed for 15 to 20 seconds, gradually increasing the speed to high. Blend on high speed for another 15 seconds or until the entire mixture is smooth.
Pour the smoothie into two cups and enjoy!
Per serving: Calories 71 (From Fat 18); Fat 2g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 103mg; Carbohydrate 13g (Dietary Fiber 5g); Protein 2g.
If you don’t have homemade almond milk, add 1/4 cup of raw almonds and 1 cup of additional water instead in Step 1.
If your child is sensitive to raspberries, add 1 peeled ripe banana instead.
Blueberry, Molasses, and Apple Supreme
Preparation time: 3–4 minutes
Blending time: 2 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
1 red delicious or gala apple
1/2 cup blueberries
1 ripe banana, peeled
1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
1-1/2 cups water
2 Swiss chard leaves
Cut the apple and remove the core, keeping the skin intact. Cut the flesh into quarters.
Combine the apple, blueberries, banana, molasses, and water in the blender and secure the lid.
Starting at low speed and gradually increasing toward high, blend the ingredients for 30 to 45 seconds or until the mixture contains no visible pieces of fruit.
Remove and discard the Swiss chard stems. Roughly chop or tear the leaves, add them to the blender, and blend again at medium speed for 15 to 20 seconds, gradually increasing the speed to high. Blend on high speed for another 15 seconds or until the entire mixture is smooth.
Pour the smoothie into two cups and enjoy!
Per serving: Calories 146 (From Fat 4); Fat 0.5g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 41mg; Carbohydrate 38g (Dietary Fiber 5g); Protein 1g.
Add a dash of ground cinnamon for a slightly sweet taste.
Amazing Grape, Honey, and Pear
Preparation time: 3–4 minutes
Blending time: 2 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
1 ripe pear
1/2 avocado, peeled and pitted
1 cup red or green grapes
1 tablespoon raw honey
1-1/2 cups water
1 cup baby bok choy leaves, loosely packed
Cut the pear and remove the core, keeping the skin intact. Cut the flesh into quarters. Combine the pear, avocado, grapes, honey, and water in the blender and secure the lid.
Starting at low speed and gradually increasing toward high, blend the ingredients for 30 to 45 seconds or until the mixture contains no visible pieces of fruit.
Add the bok choy and blend again at medium speed for 15 to 20 seconds, gradually increasing the speed to high. Blend on high speed for another 15 seconds or until the entire mixture is smooth.
Pour the smoothie into two cups and enjoy!
Per serving: Calories 192 (From Fat 45); Fat 5g (Saturated 1g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 34mg; Carbohydrate 39g (Dietary Fiber 6g); Protein 2g.
Instead of grapes, add 1 cup of frozen organic cherries.