School Lunch Smoothies

I am constantly trying to figure out how to get fruits and veggies into my kiddos in ways that they get excited about.  School Lunch Smoothies are a great way to do just that!  My girls get so excited about these, and like them so much that I make lots of extras for them to grab a quick after- school snack from the freezer.  

{my favorite, reasonably priced blender-Oster 6 cup, glass blender}

I linked some smoothie recipes below, but honestly, I just throw in whatever frozen fruit we have in our freezer.  I always include banana or peach, each give a nice thick base for the smoothie.  I try to add greens whenever possible, a couple big handfuls will do.  Usually it is spinach, as it is the most mild tasting green.  These smoothies had one frozen banana, about a cup each of frozen blueberries, pineapple & strawberries, and spinach.

I then add almond milk and blend until desired consistency.  I never measure.  I just add milk until I see a cortex in the middle, as in the picture below.  That is when you know you have a great smoothie consistency.  Sometimes I add protein powder (love this one by Plant Fusion), sometimes I add chia, sometimes I add hemp seed or oats.  Or not.  Smoothies are very forgiving.

The above smoothie is a pretty safe purple color. I usually don't send my go-to green smoothie to school with my girls.  We drink it at home as an afternoon snack instead.  My girls don't really enjoy the attention they get at school when drinking green, kids have quite the reactions to green smoothies!  Despite the color, my girls love how they taste.  Click Here for our Everyday Green Smoothie recipe.  

{Ball Plastic Containers}

I only use plastic containers for our lunch boxes. (Click here to see what lunch box and containers we use.)  Everything else I store in glass ball jars.  These plastic containers from Ball are really, REALLY convenient and the perfect size.  The have screw on lids to prevent spilling, and the cups stack into each other so nicely, which is great for the freezer.

They thaw just enough by lunch time into the perfect cold smoothie consistency.  Make sure to pack a straw!

{Ziplock Smoothie Packets for the Freezer}

These are awesome timesavers.  If all your smoothie cups are full of frozen smoothie, just divide the fruit into baggies and they will be ready for you when you are!

{My Smoothie Boards at Pinterest}

I've started a smoothie Pinterest board for awesome smoothie inspiration!  How about you? Do you have any favorites to share?