Great for sore throats, warm weather, a healthy snack!
We had an unusually warm, hot actually, March this year. The weather broke all kinds of records and we loved the taste of summer that came during spring. It meant a couple of things for us though: First it meant that springtime allergies kicked in early, so everyone started with sore throats and runny noses in March instead of April. Second, it meant that the daily “can we get ice cream” and “can we get frozen lemonade” questions started early as well.
When I pick my kids up at school we drive by one of our city’s popular ice cream drive ups as well as past our favorite frozen lemonade stand. On occasion, on super hot summer days we’ll stop there after school as a treat, but I wasn’t really ready to start that in March. Not yet. It’s an expensive treat, one we don’t do too often.
One particularly hot afternoon, as an answer to their pleas, I decided to make smoothies, something I often do as an after school snack, but not usually in March. On this particular afternoon though, I had fresh strawberries in my fridge, (frozen works well too) and I had bananas in my freezer, which I often use for banana bread, but they work well for smoothies too. I had some vanilla yogurt in my fridge, so I felt I could easily pull off some smoothies for an after school snack.
A blender doesn't have to be expensive to make a delicious treat!
My “recipe” isn’t exact, but into my blender I threw: a bunch of strawberries, two frozen bananas, milk, about a cup of vanilla yogurt, and some ice to make it have a frozen feel, like a milkshake, but healthier.
I added a dollop of whipped cream and a straw and I had a restaurant-quality summer beverage for my kids for after school. Not bad! Everyone was happy and I was glad there was even enough for me to have some!
The Whole bag of Chips 
A few variations: I have never added milk, though that sounds good. I have used a splash of oj, especially when using plain yogurt. Also, I have tossed in a spoonful of ground flaxseed for the extra boost of whatever flaxseed is good for. I use Greek yogurt for a protein-rich breakfast smoothie for my non-egg eater, and I have been known to sneak in any yogurt Flavors no one likes and overripe fruit. See- nutrition plus fridge cleaning plus a l’il bit o’ deception: Everyone wins!
Jen, I make these smoothies quite frequently for my girls (and myself!) We love them! I, too, use frozen bananas and either frozen or fresh strawberries or blueberries – blueberries smoothies are our favorites. I use whatever yogurt we have on hand but prefer to use Greek b/c it’s so protein packed. The girls always insist on smoothies (or “shakes” as we call them) for MCAS breakfasts, along with scrambled eggs! 🙂 But they are definitely a great after school snack, especially when you have to run out quickly to an after school activity and need to get something healthy into them. 🙂