We have been on such a smoothie kick here in the Smith household! It’s such a fun way to use up all that fruit that’s so ripe at the market these days. Plus, it’s an easy way to get the kiddos in the kitchen helping out with some of the “cooking.” Brady has been in love with smoothies for a while now, but recently Nolan has become addicted.  He takes them very seriously.

With back to school (pre-school for Brady) just around the corner, I wanted to try out an Oatmeal Smoothie recipe because it seemed like the perfect quick breakfast that can be taken in the car…for those days that we’re running late! This recipe is full of oats, fruit, and protein packed yogurt and skim milk. I can’t think of a better way to start the day!

Ingredients:

About a cup of chopped peaches (or whatever juicy fruit you have on hand)
About a cup of frozen berries (I had blueberries and strawberries on hand)
1 ripe banana
1 cup of milk
1 small container of Greek Yogurt (I used Blueberry flavored)
1 cup of ice
1/2 a cup of rolled oats (do not cook)

All you have to do is throw everything in the blender and blend until it’s smooth. This made enough for about 2 good portions. The oats give it a very thick consistency and make you feel so satisfied!

Smoothie ingredients (plus a little ice!) I love having frozen fruit on hand. Whenever I realize I’m not going to be able to finish up my fresh fruit, I throw it in the freezer for smoothies!

Nolan’s face while the blender is on. He HATES it!

Yummy breakfast to go!

And all is right with the world again.

The Smiths are just now venturing into the world of quinoa. Here’s what I’ve learned about this ultra healthy pseudo-grain. It’s great- when doctored up with lots of other flavors. So, that’s what we did this week! I recently found a recipe for a Thai Quinoa Salad. This inspired me to make a similar version with Brady. It has lots of veggies and the dressing has peanut butter in it! Which, admittedly sounds a little odd to me, but actually is quite tasty. There’s a lot of ingredients, but not a lot of work that goes into this salad. It’s colorful and crunchy and Brady described it as, “Yummy! Delicious!” (Future food critic, for sure.)

Perfect as a side dish (you can leave it outside at a BBQ without fear of going bad!) or as a salad on it’s own. Tons of protein and good for you stuff!

Ingredients:

Quinoa (about 3/4 cup)

Salad ingredients:
One red pepper (diced)
1/2 a cup chopped green onion
1/2 a cup chopped cilantro
2-3 cups of cole slaw mix with carrots
About a 1/3 of a red onion, diced (optional, I may leave it out next time!)
1/2 a cup of chopped cashews (I used lightly salted)

Quinoa and salad fixins.

Dressing ingredients:
1/2 a cup smooth peanut butter
3 tablespoons soy sauce
juice of one lime
1 Tbs. Sesame oil (optional, just a fun flavor!)
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 Tbs. red wine vinegar
1 Tbs. honey

Peanut Lime Dressing ingredients. Melt the honey and peanut butter for about 20 seconds in your microwave before whisking all the other ingredients in with it.

First we cooked up our quinoa according to package directions. Once all the liquid was absorbed, we put it in a bowl and let it chill in the fridge for about 10 minutes to cool off.

Then, have your kid clean up all the quinoa you spilled all over the floor…

While the quinoa was cooking, we chopped up our veggies. I would most definitely use less red onion next time. Or leave it out altogether!

While the quinoa is cooling in the fridge, start the dressing by microwaving the peanut butter and honey together. Let you kid (or husband) lick the spoon.

Whisk all the dressing ingredients into the melted peanut butter/honey. Taste for seasoning or consistency. You want it smooth, thick, but pourable.

Here’s what our dressing looked like. Yum!

Toss the veggies, cole slaw, cooled quinoa and sauce together in a big bowl.

Ta-Da!

May he always be this adventurous of an eater!