St. Patrick’s Day treats don’t have to mean adding huge amounts of artificial coloring to sweet treats.  So many times these holiday nutritional disasters leave us with kids who are hyped up and feeling sick later on.  I can’t tell you how many times I cleaned up green puke before I found out the horrors of artifical coloring.

So this year, try something different and something that will improve your kids’ nutritional intake and keep them from crashing later on.  Add some healthy greens to your St’ Patricks’ day celebration by adding them to smoothies!  Green smoothies are a healthy way to start the day or as a sweet surprise after school.  It’s a healthy snack your child will be happy to indulge in!

Check out these holiday-worthy Green smoothie recipes:

Irish TwistIrish Twist Smoothie

  • 3 cups fresh baby Spinach
  • 1 Lime, 1 large Tomato
  • 2-3 Carrots and 1/2 Carrot top bunch
  • 1/2 bunch Parsley
  • 1 stalk Celery (an additional stalk for garnish and to stir would be a great addition)

Lucky LucyLucky Lucy Veggie & Fruit Drink

  • 1 handful parsley
  • 2 apples
  • 1 handful spinach
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 lemon
  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled
  • Garnish with fresh fruit if desired

Green Morning Health Smoothie

  • 4-6 Carrots
  • 4 stalks of Celery
  • 1 juice and pulp of 1 fresh Lemon
  • 1 Macintosh or Yellow Apple

Sparkling ShamrockSparkling Shamrock Morning Drink

  • 1 cup fresh pineapple cubes
  • 1/2 cup strawberries
  • 1 banana
  • 1/2 cup of spinach leaves
  • 1 cup water
  • One to two drops of vanilla essence
  • One cup of yogurt
  • 1-2 teaspoons of honey or agave for sweetness (optional)

The Leaping LeprechaunThe Leaping Leprechaun

  • 1/2 cup strawberries
  • 1 banana
  • 1/2 cup of spinach leaves
  • 1 cup water

DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients into a blender or food processor. Blend until really smooth – make sure you go beyond the grainy stage – you don’t want any chunks or with bits of leaves floating about.

Too thick?  Add more water or a splash of juice or milk (almond or soy). This should take only a couple of minutes. Blend until the greens are so pulverized that they are no longer visible other than infusing your smoothie with a beautiful green color.


Photo & Recipe credit:  Provided by Omega products
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