Smoothies are Healthy & Thrifty

We have smoothies for our afternoon snack several times a week.  Not only are they full of foods I feel good about feeding my kids, but they use up a lot of food that might otherwise be wasted.  A couple days ago, in particular, I realized how many 'odds-and-ends' I was putting in and decided it was worth a blog post.

I tossed in a half apple that had been on the counter all day.  DD#1 had half an apple with peanut butter for breakfast, but the other half apple didn't get eaten.  Then I put a bunch of cauliflower that was leftover from DD#2's birthday last weekend.  I have lots of frozen peaches and put in several cups.  I am still using peaches from summer 2012 so our smoothies have been heavy on the peaches.

Next I added some fruit juice.  I typically add whatever I have.  This time it was the very light syrup remaining after we emptied a quart of canned pears. 

Finally, I added about 2/3 cup frozen blueberries.  I always put in blueberries because it creates a nice purplish color that little girls like to little girls more than the light orange of peaches.  I also put in about a cup of yogurt - whatever is oldest in the fridge - because I always find such great deals on it.

Banana is also a good addition and sometimes I toss in frozen strawberries, cranberries, or blackberries depending on what other ingredients need to be used.

It makes a full blender and 3 girls eat it right up.  One of the girls continually refuses, but I figure 3 out of 4 isn't bad.  =)

We also have fun straws that are a little larger in diameter than standard straws.  We reserve these exclusively for smoothies which (I think) adds to the smoothie appeal. 
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To sum up: A healthy snack that makes good use of food that might other be wasted.

Katie