Blend some fresh greens and fresh or frozen fruit to make a yummy smoothie, and toast to the garden!

Ages 2+. ~30 min5

Garden Green Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 5 chard leaves, stems removed and coarsely chopped (or torn) or 1 cup of spinach leaves

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup plain yogurt

• 3-4 cups fresh and/or frozen fruit1

• 2 T. peanut butter (optional)

Steps

1. Blend greens and 1 cup of water until completely pureed.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients. Add ¼-½ cup of additional water as needed.

   Blend well. Drink right away or keep in the fridge up to 24 hours.

This is a perfect way to use up fruit and veggies you have in your house while making a delicious treat with your kids. Smoothies are easy to make with a blender and there are so many variations you can try depending on what you have available. For this recipe, I like to use spinach or chard leaves to help pack those green nutrients in. Add about 5 chard leaves torn up with the stems removed (or about 1 cup of fresh spinach) and 1 cup of water to the blender and puree until the mixture is smooth. Add 3-4 cups of fresh and/or frozen fruit. My kids love bananas and strawberries but almost any kind of fruit works. Next, add 1 cup of plain yogurt and then add ¼ - ½ cup of water as needed.  Blend well and drink right away or keep in the fridge for 24 hours. Have kids help you measure as you go and take turns putting the ingredients in and pressing the blender buttons.

Some other unique variations we have enjoyed are adding cut-up apples (works well if you have a strong blender and don’t mind a thick smoothie) and honey to our smoothies. Try new combinations with your kids and record what tastes great for your family!