We’ve been on a smoothie kick around here lately, so the kids have really been into drinking some fun summer concoctions. I’m finding I’m loving it as a way to get some greens into them that are generally more challenging. For example, kale. There doesn’t seem to be a super kid-friendly way to serve these power greens, but in juice form? 100% delicious.
[Tweet “Get your greens in with this Coconut & Kale Power Juice (Toddler-Approved).”]
I love this juice combo for so many reasons. First of all, I get to call it juice which makes Hailey’s eyes light up. And second, it’s only 4 ingredients.
Coconut & Kale Power Juice (Toddler-Approved)
Kale.
It’s high in iron, vitamins K, A, C and calcium. It’s packed with phytonutrients and a great anti-inflammatory food.
Coconut Water.
Great for summertime because it has fewer calories, less sodium and more potassium than most sports drinks, yet is still packed with electrolytes to help rehydrate a busy body on a hot day.
Yogurt.
This organic Banilla yogurt from Stonyfield has 35g of sugar per cup (a little one the high side, though some of it -about 12g- is naturally occurring dairy sugar), but it tastes amazing and has just enough sweetness to overpower the bitterness of the greens. Plus, it adds some great probiotics to encourage gut health.
Banana.
Fiber, potassium, mood-enhancing tryptophan. What’s not to love?
This hydrating, delicious juice/smoothie is perfect for a hot afternoon refresher.
Hailey loved it and I loved that it made enough for us both to enjoy.
One word of warning. It does create quite the green mustache.
But it’s totally worth looking like you ate a leprechaun.
Coconut & Kale Power Juice (Toddler-Approved)
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 3 1x
- Category: juice
Description
This hydrating, delicious juice/smoothie is perfect for a hot afternoon refresher.
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana
- 2/3 cup Stonyfield Banilla yogurt
- 1 cup plain coconut water
- 1 large handful kale
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
What is your favorite juice or smoothie combo?
Yuliya says
Oooooh! This recipe sounds awesome – definitely something both my son and I would love! Congratulations on your baby by the way!!
Natalie @ The Ravenous Mommy says
Looks yummy! I need to get a blender that good 🙂
My fave smoothie combo is frozen banana, yogurt, kale and pineapple. Soooo good!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh I need to get some pineapple- that’d be GREAT!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
That sounds really good! And I love the simplicity. If it’s good enough for Hailey, it’s good enough for all of us. 🙂
Jaclyn @ BumpSweat says
You could call it ‘leprachaun juice’, especially for people who might have a hard time getting their kids to drink something green. We always had fun names for foods growing up 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Haha, I love that suggestion! So cute!
Danielle L says
This sounds delicious – I just have trouble getting my old blender to make kale palatable for my toddler. I’ll be trying this though!
Brittany Dixon says
I understand! My old blender couldn’t handle bananas, much less kale. However, sometimes it worked to blend the kale first with a little of the liquid before adding the other ingredients. Maybe that will help?
Amanda says
On your blendtec have you used the “juice” setting? I think I’ve always been intimidated by it and “smoothie” everything. Do you think it makes a difference?
Brittany Dixon says
I think it blends at higher speed for longer for the juice setting which makes it a little more liquified. That’s just an observ
Brittany Dixon says
oops…
just an observation, not sure if it’s true. Honestly, I’m just having fun pushing all the buttons as I learn how to use it 😉
Marjorie says
Sounds yummy! I do something similar, but I add frozen mango/pineapple too. My son loves it!
As for the Blendtec, I am completely jealous! I want a high end blender so bad. My little Nutribullet does okay, but it has trouble grinding up some things (like dates). I have been eyeing the Vitamix at Costco. This Blentec looks awesome too. Do you love it?
Brittany Dixon says
I LOVE it. I’m sure I’d love the vitamix, too. They were neck and neck for me but I ended up finding the Bendtec 40% off at Macy’s and had a gift card too, so it made it more reasonable (not reasonable, but more so ;))
Christina says
Smoothies are one of my favorite ways to sneak greens into my toddler’s diet! Our standby is milk, bananas, blueberries, spinach, and yogurt (we also love the Banilla from Stoneyfield!)
I would love to hear your thoughts on the Blendtec…..does it do a good job blending “tougher” fruits and vegetables? I’ve been thinking about a Vitamix for its power and ability to blend almost anything, but it’s pretty pricey.
Thanks for all your great ideas, Brittany!
Brittany Dixon says
I’m still experimenting with the Blendtec since it’s so new to me, but I’ve been blown away by it’s power to blend everything I’ve thrown at it from almonds to ice (awesome margaritas ;)). Unfortunately it’s pretty pricey too, but I found it 40% off at Macy’s on mother’s day, so maybe keep an eye out for sales?
And if you have any fruits or veggies you want me to try in it, send them my way! I’m having fun experimenting 🙂
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says
Looks so yummy! Added to my summer drink list 😀
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Becky@TheSavedRunner says
This sounds great! That’s awesome that your kid loves it too! I love a good peanut butter banana smoothie with spinach mixed in. 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Oh yes, that combo ROCKS. I made a smoothie the other day with plain almond milk, peanut butter, banana and vanilla protein… tasted like a milk shake 🙂
Katie Harding says
I just bought a VitaMix and I have been looking for any excuse to use it so I’ll be whipping up a batch of these smoothies this weekend! I might forget to tell the boys what’s in it though 😉
Katie says
Um, okay, YUM. I am obsessed with green smoothies! I make this exact one, only with spinach instead of kale. Must try it with kale, too!
xo
April says
My kids love smoothies, but I’ve always used spinach. I’m gonna need to try kale now and see how my Kitchenaid blender does with it. Your recipe sounds delicious! Thanks for hosting the link-up!
char eats greens says
Green mustaches are my FAVE (on toddlers–not particularly on me because I’d most likely be the person to go out in public, wondering why people are looking at me so strangely). I bet this combo is amazing because it sounds amazing.
But, darn it, I forgot about the link-up. I’ll come back in July strong!!
Rachel says
No toddler here so I can’t link up meals. But, I do share her love for those applegate farms hot dogs. They are always a requirement when we go camping. Maybe I’m a child 🙂
Fav smoothie is half a banana, lots of spinach, coconut water and almond milk. Sometimes I’ll add in frozen blueberries as well. I’m finding the coconut water to be a lifesaver after super sweaty and hot workouts lately, since I refuse to drink sports drinks!
Heather @ FitMamaRealFood says
I have a hard time getting kale into Hunter too, but since we have some growing great in the garden I’ve gotta try it! Plus I’ll get more in too. 🙂
Laura @ FitMamaLove says
Smoothies are so great for adding extra veggies! I never make my own at home, but I love getting one for the kids and me to share at Whole Foods. Also, my kids love kale! My massaged kale salad is their favorite and they always snitch a bunch before dinner is even served. Makes this mama happy!
Matt @ Runner Savvy says
This is Matt approved as well!
Amanda says
This looks so delish! I love Kale in smoothies!
Kayla Seah says
This’ll be the first recipe I try as soon as my blender arrives. Can’t go wrong with coconut + kale.