As you know I'm always trying to boost Cooper's fruit and vegetable intake. Sometimes it's just offered on the plate or in his lunch box and sometimes it's just pure sneaky!
I made a league table up to show you my problem. Now make sure you understand that the sometimes eat column as actually rarely eat!
Cooper's Vegetable and Salad League Table
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| He has no problem eating chocolate cake! |
I have to be sneaky to make sure he has enough good stuff in his diet.
This latest milkshake it another of my sneaky recipes. Whole milk, a large ripe avocado, a banana, some Clarks Clear Blossom Honey to sweeten it, some seeds, cocoa powder and some Nutella.
He loved it! Especially when I served him some in a milk bottle with some sprinkles around the top.
It's not low fat or low calorie, but it's healthy and as a little boy who runs about all day, he needs the calories.
You could lower the calories by using skimmed or semi-skimmed milk and only using half the avocado, but it is perfect for a growing lad.
Chocolate & Avocado Shake
A healthy shake with an extra boost of vitamins from avocado, banana and flax seeds (linseeds).
Ingredients
- 600ml whole milk (or soya mik)
- 1 large ripe avocado, flesh only
- 1 banana banana
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tsp Nutella (you can add extra cocoa instead of nutella)
- 2 tsp runny honey (or agave nectar)
- 2 tsp flax seeds (linseeds)
- 1 tsp jam
- 2 tbsp sprinkles
Instructions
1. Whizz up the milk, avocado, banana, cocoa powder, nutella, honey, flax seeds and a handful of ice cubes until smooth.2. To decorate the glasses or milk bottles, rub or brush jam around the rim of each glass. Pour your sprinkles into a little bowl and dip each jammed glass rim in the sprinkles until coated.3. Pour the smoothie into each glass and serve.4. Enjoy!
Details
Total time: Yield: Serves 4-6
By the way, just in case you are interested, the wee buddies in the photos belong to Cooper. The fox, is called Daniel Dan and the owls are little no-sew sock owls, you can find my sock owl tutorial over at Baby Centre.
Disclosure: Clarks sent me some of their honey to try. I was not required to write a positive post and any opinions expressed are my own.
That sounds seriously delicious. I wish I had that right in front of me, now. xo
ReplyDeleteIt does taste good and Cooper didn't suspect a thing. Result!!!
DeleteThat sounds like a fantastic shake. If I make one for my litle girl I think I'll need to make some for me too
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll both enjoy it :)
DeleteHealthy and delicious Jac - been thinking about using more avocado myself x
ReplyDeleteAvocado, lovely stuff and so good for you too :)
DeleteI'm sure my daughter would love this as she eat avocado by the bucket load and is a keen chocolate milk drinker too and does enjoy the odd home made banana milkshake too:-) Lovely pics and love the sprinkles and soft toys:-)
ReplyDeleteWell this will be perfect for her. You must have a go at making it and let me know :)
DeleteThis looks super delicious I wouldn't mind a glass of it my self.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nayna :)
DeleteHa ha, I hadn't seen this when I set out to make my Choccie Avocado Mousse yesterday...but what a fab idea to get avocado down in milkshake form and with all the added banana and flax seed nutrients. Though weirdly both my kids don't really like milkshakes or milk very much. I so love your veggie list, might do one of these myself! Avocado was definitely something on the "will never pass my lips" list for my two until yesterday!
ReplyDeleteIt was so funny that you were using practically the same ingredients at the same time with your kids. Great minds think alike and all that. Pity they don't like milk.
DeleteThis looks lush Jac! I had a savoury shake with avocado the other day and it was yum. I'm off choc at the mo but this will be one of my first makes after that! Loving the sprinkles-jam idea - I've done this on a glass but used melted choc - much easier to smear on a bit of jam. Vohn x
ReplyDeleteA savoury shake, I've never heard of those, you must tell me more. Is it more of a vegetable shake rather than savoury? To be honest I couldn't be bothered melting chocolate, so was trying to think up what I could use instead. Jam seemed like the best option and it worked very well.
DeleteMy little girl is very picky with vegetables too so I love the idea of making something like this for her. She'll always try chocolate!
ReplyDeleteExactly, you can be so, so sneaky when you add chocolate, hehe!
DeleteLove the idea! Adore the cute wee milk bottles - remind me of the ones we used to get at Primary. Where did you get them and any idea on how long the shake will stay scrummy? In case i wanted to sneak it into a packed lunch.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenn, I got the little bottles from notonthehighstreet.com and they are just like the ones we drank from at primary. I remember it well. I had this shake in the fridge for 3 days and it was fine.
DeleteSuch a brilliant concoction for Cooper! I was very lucky that I have a child (well, nearly 18 years old now!) who ate everything I offered, but I see a number of people like yourself through work that try so hard to get goodness and variety into their children's tummies, so I admire your perseverance and inventiveness. Hard work, but so worth it. Great stuff :D Lovin' the new header. I've sorted mine at last. For now...
ReplyDeleteThanks Kellie and yes you are lucky or maybe you just did it right. Cooper started off liking everything, but he is a bit more picky now, I am assured this will pass as everything else does, so I keep trying and keep offering. Glad you like the header, I am still getting used to it. I shall have to pop across to see yours.
DeletePS I sent a recipe over to Lisa and tried to leave comment but her Captcha kicked me out. Gah I really hate that thing! Let her know that I tried to comment? Thanks. It seems rude not to leave a comment when entering a challenge, so I feel a bit bad.
ReplyDeleteI'll let her know Kellie :)
Deletesprinkles will do it every time - looks delicious but I am interested to know if he watches you put it together - that is half the fun for sylvia when we do smoothies
ReplyDeleteSometimes, but if I am trying to get him to eat something he doesn't like I'll do it without him there and tell him afterwards, when he said he has enjoyed it.
DeleteHi Jac, I enjoyed reading this post. My 23 month old has always been utterly challenging with any sort of food but is now harder than ever to please. I've never given him a shake but I'm going to try this because I am increasingly having to sneak vegetables in these days. Xx
ReplyDeleteIt's worth a try Deena, as well as offering him the food. It's always extra nutrients.
DeleteAh brilliant - avocado is one of my favourite things. Shame that Weightwatchers point it so highly - but as you say, more about getting an active small boy filled with calories for energy. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, although I wouldn't overlook it entirely, it is so good for you. Maybe not everyday, but now and again. Your body will thank you for it.
DeleteThat looks lovely Jac. Adorable styling. I am enjoying avocados in my smoothies too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen, I was pleased with the colours. Cooper was pleased with the sprinkles. Avocados are always good, on their on, in sandwiches or salads or smoothies.......
DeleteI make a similar one and I add lots of oats into it before I whizz it up :-) Great for a quick breakfast. We use cocoa powder but since my little girl is a Nutella fiend I'll try your recipe, too.
ReplyDeleteOats are a great addition for a breakfast smoothie Ren. I added the Nutella as it needed more chocolate flavour and I can pretend it's healthy with all the hazelnuts in it.
DeleteHow bizarre, I hadn't looked at TT in a few days and I made and posted a milkshake recipe as well. Odd coincidence as I haven't made them in ages. Great minds...
ReplyDeleteHuh, it's funny how that happens, isn't? I'll have to go have a look :)
DeleteWhat a great idea Jac - who knew chocolate milk could hide such goodness!!! My kids love most vegetables, but getting fruit into them is a real challenge, so I might just have to give this a whirl in the vitamix. Loving the styling on these shots btw - fabulously bright and cheerful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Katie and I hope your wee ones like it as much as Cooper did :)
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