Healthy Fruit Smoothies

My kids have been hooked on smoothies since they were babies.  It is a great way to get a boost of fiber and Vitamin C into yourself and your kids.  And it is even healthier (and an easy way to get picky eaters to eat veggies, as long as they don't see you making it!) if you add a handful of spinach and a couple carrots!  Sounds gross, I know.  I thought so too.  But if you add enough other fruits (especially ones with a lot of color like bluberries) you can't even taste or see the icky green color.  Add variety by trying different flavors of 100% juice, or flavored yogurts.

Blend together:
-Enough 100% fruit juice to liquify fruit and veggies (my favorite is orange juice)
-handful of spinach
-2 medium sized carrots

After fully chopped and blended, add:
frozen or fresh fruit in example:
      -We use Costco's frozen fruit blends with peaches, pineapples, strawberries, and also their mix of marionberries, blueberries, and blackberries.  Or try:
      -bananas
      -oranges
      -peaches
      -pineapples
      -strawberries
      -blueberries
      -raspberries

You get the picture.... try different variations of fruit with different juices.  Or to make a more smoothe smoothie, add a little yogurt (Our favorite is Mountain High brand).  For a little kick, add some lemon or lime zest.  If your fruit is very tart (and of course if you don't add yogurt), you can add a few squirts of Agave nectar (sugar replacement, similar to honey, but less viscous).   This is a great, cool summer treat, and a great way to get your vitamins and help get your kids, or yourself over colds!