Smoothies in Winter: Shake Up Your Child's Snacks

In the middle of winter, adults yearn for hot soups, but just as kids will play outside in winter with no coat, they do not care whether their snack is weather-appropriate, they simply want it to taste good. 
During the summer, for afternoon snack, my family made yogurt and fruit smoothies, but following my logical adult path, I put away these nutrient-packed snacks for fall apples and winter oranges.  My toddler was not pleased with shelving his favorite snack, so after a short hiatus, we got the handy-chopper out and resumed our smoothies.
As parents, daily, if not hourly, we need to ask the question "is this the hill I want to die on?"  With hitting or climbing the drapes, the answer is probably "yes," but who has the energy to argue about what fruit is in season and that cold weather means warm food, when during cold and flu season, they need every bit of nourishment they can get?  So, as the snow piles up outside, break out the handy-chopper, your favorite smoothie fresh or frozen fruits, and yogurt and watch your kid's eyes light up like on Christmas morning.

Need some smoothie inspiration?  Try some of the following combinations:
For a super purple smoothie: blueberries, raspberries, and blackberry with low-fat vanilla yogurt or blueberry Kefir
For a little girl who likes pink: raspberries, peaches, and mango with low-fat peach yogurt or Kefir
Have a little one who needs it all one color: banana, peach, mango, and low-fat vanilla
Finally, my son's fav (pictured above): banana, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, and peach with low-fat peach yogurt

From the picture above, you can see that I add fresh, raw, organic spinach to my son's smoothies in no small amount.  Before wrinkling your nose, remember that spinach is a Super Green that can be a super slip-in for parents because its mild taste allows it to be added to many foods undetected by a momentarily finicky child.  The first time that you add it, chop or shred it before adding to the chopper so that kids do not get a larger piece of a leaf, which some might find less-than-smooth, but if they ask about it, be honest and matter-of-fact and go about enjoying your smoothie.  Remember, a smoothie is like ice cream to children, so they want to want it, and chances are in your favor that they may not protest too long for fear of a melted treat.  Actually, my son now requests spinach specifically because he knows and loves it from his smoothies.