Recipe: Kid-Approved Frozen Fruit Smoothie

Smoothies are a delicious and easy way to get in a healthy dose of fruits (and vegetables!) into your diet. My eleven year old daughter loves smoothies and insisted we share one of her favourite recipes that she began making herself (with a little supervision) a few years ago. She loves smoothies as part of her morning breakfast and sometimes makes enough for several smoothies to either share or save for later. You can also freeze the blended mix into popsicle moulds for a tasty frozen treat! The below is her recipe as written by her and she also took the pictures. :)

Kid-Approved Frozen Fruit Smoothie

The main ingredient is frozen fruit! We buy whatever is on sale that week, but mango is always in the recipe because it tastes the best.

Blend together:

• 1 avocado (or 1 medium banana) - this makes the smoothie creamy

• 1 cup frozen berries

• 1/2 cup frozen mango!

• 1/4 cup of vanilla or your favourite yogurt (or one of the small lunch containers)

• 1 teaspoon honey

• 1 cup of water or milk (or more depending on how much frozen fruit you used - sometimes I put in too much and it jams the blender)

My mom sometimes adds some spinach or kale. I don’t.

Blend all ingredient until smooth then pour into a big cup and enjoy! Or if you made too much put it in the fridge for later. Yum!

Homemade Chocolate Pudding (cornstarch-free)

By Misty

You can't go wrong with pudding! Kids love the smooth, creamy texture, and you'll love how easy pudding is to make at home. Using full fat milk ensures kids are getting a big hit of vitamins and nutrients!

Nothing better than a cute little pudding face!

I adapted this recipe from Martha Stewart's chocolate pudding recipe, and attempted to make it a bit healthier. Some people have a hard time digesting cornstarch, and if you're concerned about genetically-modified foods, many corn-based products come from a GMO source. 

Cornstarch-Free Chocolate Pudding

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup arrowroot flour
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2.5 cups full fat milk
4 large egg yolks
2 tbsps unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Mix the sugar, arrowroot flour, salt and cocoa powder in a saucepan off the stove. Very slowly whisk in the milk, little bits at a time to prevent clumps from forming. Whisk in the egg yolks.

2. Cook over medium heat, whisk constantly (yes, constantly! Work those muscles!). As the liquid reaches the boiling point, it will suddenly turn into a solid creamy mass of pudding - kids love this, as it's magic! Reduce heat to low, and cook for 1 minute, while still whisking. 

3. Remove from heat and melt in butter and vanilla extract. Serve warm, or cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 3 hours to cool. Martha suggests placing the plastic wrap right on top of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming - great tip Martha! :)

Serve plain or with whipped cream. Enjoy!

Mother's Day Brunch Ideas

There are SO many Mother's Day brunches taking place around the city - most are probably fantastic, but we know it can run a hefty bill for a family of four (or more!). Instead, I've compiled a number of brunch-worthy recipes you could try for Mom on Sunday (but let's be honest, we'll probably only have time to whip up one of these options!!) Throw in a plant or bouquet of flowers and I'm sure Mom will be swooning! Bacon, Egg and Toast Cups

Strawberry Cucumber Salad

Peach Breakfast Cobbler

Raspberry and Goat Cheese Breakfast Strata (YUM!!)

Seasonal Options

Raddish and Fennel Apple Salad Bites

Rhubarb and Strawberry Breakfast Crisp

Fiddlehead and Gruyere Tart

Crostini with Ricotta and Pea Shoots

Alright, now I'm hungry! Bon Appetit and Happy Mother's Day!