Charming Smoothie (and popsicles)

What mother wouldn’t like to get more fruits and vegetables into her kids tummies?  I know I’m always on the lookout for ways to encourage better eating habits in my older son, Mr. Charm.

But he’s not always interested in my attempts.  He’ll pick out ‘the good stuff’ and leave the veggies behind.  (Oh, just wait til he’s grown up and discovers how yummy veggies can be!)

Until he’s a grown up, though, I’ll keep trying to find ways to make him eat nutrient rich food.

To that end, I keep experimenting with smoothies.

He’s not a fan.

I keep hearing about kids who LOVE fruit smoothies, but I just don’t seem to have one of those kids in my house!

On this elimination diet, we’re down to cantaloupe, honeydew melon, pineapple and blueberry for fruits.  I decided to try a smoothie…after all, at least two of those are quite naturally sweet – he’s got to like it, right?

Wrong.

In the end, I tossed the smoothie into some popsicle molds and figured I’d give that a shot.  It WORKED!

HE thinks he’s getting a treat.  I know he’s getting health food!  Score one for Mama!

So here’s what I did:

CHARMING SMOOTHIE POPSICLES

A Healthy, Delicious Treat!

-handful of cantaloupe
-handful of honeydew melon
-handful of pineapple chunks
-coconut milk (the full-fat can kind, not the drink)
-drizzle of honey

Put all the fruit into your blender.  (In my case, I’m using an immersion blender because my blender died.)

Add coconut milk until it just reaches the top of the fruit.  Drizzle a tiny bit of honey into the mix.

Blend!  I have to blend a LOT because Mr. Charm doesn’t like stringy bits in his popsicles.

Pour into popsicle molds and put in the freezer.

Wait a few hours, then watch your kid jump up and down for a ‘treat’ that makes you feel good to give him!

Do you have any yummy popsicle recipes?  How about any sneaky ways to get your kids to eat their fruits and veggies?  Please share in the comments!