*Smoothie #1:

Blueberry Banana Protein Oat Smoothie (Recipe makes 2 smoothies)

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh blueberries, rinsed (frozen blueberries are fine, too)
1/2 cup plain whole oatmeal, pre-cooked and cooled
1 whole small banana, peeled
two tablespoons all natural nut butter (I use all natural Peanut Butter with only 3 grams of sugar)
1/4 cup canned coconut milk (I use Thai Kitchen. Shake the can really well and refrigerate overnight.)
1 cup Almond Milk or Silk Coconut Milk ((in a carton in milk/dairy section of grocery store)
1 tablespoon real Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup frozen or fresh spinach (you won't taste it! Spinach is a great source of protein! I use 1 cup in my smoothies)
1/2 cup ice

Directions:

1) In a blender, Ninja, Vita Mix or other type of kitchen aid equipment, pour in the banana, berries, canned coconut milk, vanilla extract, and Almond milk. Pulse for 30 seconds to one minute until combined.

2) Next, add in the oatmeal and nut butter. Pulse for one to two minutes, until incorporated well. Scrape down the sides of the blender with a spatula.

3) Add spinach. Blend on high for 2 minutes. Evaluate smoothie consistency. If it's not to your liking, you can add more almond milk to thin it out, or you can add more oatmeal to thicken it up. Pour into a cup with a lid/straw, and take it on the go!
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*Smoothie #2: Tropical Lava Blast Explosion Smoothie

Ingredients:

3/4 cup fresh or frozen pineapple (or canned pineapple packed in water~ reserve pineapple juice if using canned)
1/4 cup fresh or frozen cherries, pits removed
1/2 cup Dole Pineapple Juice (or other no sugar added brand, 100% pure juice)
1/4 cup canned coconut milk (I use Thai Kitchen. Shake can well, refrigerate overnight)
2 tablespoons shredded raw coconut (optional)
3 tablespoons macadamia nuts or almonds, crushed
1 cup Almond Milk or Silk Coconut Milk (in a carton in milk/dairy section of grocery store)
1/2 cup ice

Directions:

1) Pour all ingredients into a blender or other type of beverage mixer. If you used the canned pineapple in water, go ahead and substitute the canned leftover drained pineapple juice for the Dole pineapple juice.

2) Pulse for 1 minute, then blend on high for 2 minutes. Pour into a cup with a lid and straw, and take it on the go! Tropically delicious!
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*Smoothie #3: Berry Healthy Breakfast Protein Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup mixed berries, such as strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, and/or cherries.
1 cup fresh or frozen spinach
2 tablespoons walnuts, almonds, or pecans
2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup canned coconut milk (I use Thai Kitchen. Shake can well, refrigerate overnight)
1/2 cup apple juice, mango juice, orange juice, or Welch's 100% Grape Juice (or plain water)

Directions:

1) Pour berries, coconut milk, and juice into a blender. Pulse for 1 minute, scraping down sides of pitcher after blender stops.

2) Add in frozen spinach, walnuts, and yogurt. Pulse for an additional minute. Scrape down sides of pitcher again.

3) Blend on high for 2 minutes. Add more juice if mixture is too thick. You can add a half cup of cooled, cooked oats to this recipe for a complete breakfast option. Just add 1 whole cup of juice or water to the blender before mixing. Pour into a cup with a lid and straw, and go!

TIPS:

Great tip: Freeze any leftovers in ice cube trays to use for another day. Create your own breakfast smoothies using ingredients that your child loves. Their little bodies and minds will thank you for it!

For the oatmeal in these smoothie recipes, make a large pot one evening after work and freeze them in individual muffin tins by scooping out 1/2 cup portions of plain, cooled cooked oats. Store them all in the freezer in a Ziploc-type baggie. Just pop a couple out to defrost for about 30 minutes before using.