Off to High School and a Recipe Request
Helen has officially begun high school. She has had one day of orientation and today she officially starts. To say it is stressful is putting it mildly. This must rank right up there in the high-stress life changes list.
She has a difficult time eating in the mornings. At this school, there isn't an official lunch break. The kids drop by the cafe when they have a free moment and eat on the run, often in class. I *know* she isn't going to be eating much during the day (at first anyway). We had a discussion about how she must find something to eat in the morning that will sustain her. Today she ate some porridge, but quite reluctantly. She thought maybe smoothies might work.
So I ask my dear readers.... what is your favorite kid-friendly smoothie recipe that packs a punch with some vitamins and protein?
We will get through this transition, right?
Hang in there momma... ♥
Let us know how she's liking it in a few days, ok?
Three of mine play hockey, and often have very early practices. Since none like to eat at 5AM, we always pack some breakfast cookies to nibble on in the car and again after practice:
1 cup butter
1 cup raw sugar
2 eggs
1tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
2 cups whole grain flakes (similar to cornflakes)
1 cup oats
options: any chopped dried fruit, nuts, etc., up to one cup
Preheat oven to 375*. Combine first four ingredients in large bowl. Combine next three ingredients in separate bowl. Combine and add cereals and optional ingredients (if any). Drop by round spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.
Good luck!
I have been enjoying your blog for quite a while but this is my first time commenting. Thank you for composing such a lovely blog. It is such a pleasure to read.
I have a junior and a freshman in high school this year and breakfast is always a challenge. They never leave quite enough time to eat and they're not interested in a big breakfast either. I have learned to lower my standards but insist on a minimum of nourishment. A full glass of milk, at least two large mouthfuls of yogurt, a granola bar or a slice of whole wheat toast. If I get them to eat all of those I feel VICTORIOUS.
Hang in there with the transition to high school. It does get better but it is hardest on the mom!
Elise
Oh my what a big change ! Hope you are all doing well !
But how sad to hear they don't have a proper lunch break, what is going on, why don't they see it as an important time any more.
During the summer, i had a delicious smoothie at my friends house, she made it with raspberries and black berries or any red fruit will do I think and added some coconut oil. Mixed it all.
another idea:
I made some muesli bars with lots of dry fruits and seeds in it, my kids love it and it is easy to bake. I'm sure if you google you can find some english recipies ( mine or all dutch)
Goodluck
warm wishes
Ilse
You can do it Sarah! She is a perfectly lovely girl who will navigate high school with flying colors and joy. And so, hopefully, will you!
(and you can always homeschool if it doesn't work out, ahem)
We love smoothies here - loads of fruit, some juice, voila. We also enjoy muesli bars - there are some good bar/hearty snack on the go recipes in "The Waldorf Kindergarten Snack Book" - which is definitely not just for kindergarteners.
Coffeemama, the breakfast cookies sound wonderful - - going to try those soon! Thanks for sharing :)
And really Sarah, we are here sending you good wishes. All of you!
Hi, my daughter had a 6.45 leaving home for her college years, she would sometimes have one of these or more.porridge,french toast (great egg for protein),a smoothie with yogurt,milk,berries banana.Weetbix with stewed fruit,sometimes a milo or cold drink of milk. I would pack her a hearty lunch.Different things like cold roast vegetables,cold chicken and rice etc. Cheers Marie
emily is the same way about eating in the morning. her smoothie of choice is (loosely)
1 whole banana
1-2 cups frozen strawberries
1 cup vanilla yogurt
1 cup almond milk
drizzle of maple syrup
tablespoon or so hempseed
this makes a good amount. i pour it into a clean spaghetti sauce jar or something of similar, large size. smoothies go down very easy for light breakfast eaters,
thinking of you! xoxo
5th, 9th and 11th in this house.
Breakfast is often a fig newton/ protein bar on the fly . . . Smoothie of peach, banana, vanilla yogurt,OJ is popular. Strawberry, Van. yogurt/ milk - frozen strawberries make it nice and thick.
The first week is the worst I think. All my kids have always been anxious about school. We just wade through it.
Hang in there- this to shall pass.
i just read a fabulous-sounding recipe for a pudding but i think the ingredients would work well in smoothie format. it involved some avocado, flax seed oil, cacao nibs, maybe coconut?, and i'm sure you could add in whatever else you like (bananas, any other fruit you have on hand that doesn't "clash" with the chocolatey flavor.) the avo and flax seed oil are brain food- good essential fatty acids (like omega 3s) and will make it thick and creamy, and the rest of the stuff is just yummy of course. :) i have lately been on a green/purple smoothie kick- beets turn any smoothie purple. peaches and beets go together remarkably well. i tend to add in leafy greens and berries that are around in quantity and i want to use up. i think you have to be a beet fan, so this may not be the kid-friendliest type of smoothie, but packs a lot of nutrients (beets are esp. good for iron which can be a tough one for young women to get enough of.)
The comment that Helen doesn't get a lunch break blows my mind! Is this public school? I simply can't imagine...the bad habits that could encourage. Wish I could offer advice on the smoothies, just getting into them myself. Wishing you and the girls luck as you navigate these first days...
My little one is transitioning to Kindergarten, so my heart goes out to you in this time. In our house we LOVE green smoothies, and find then to be fairly filling:
2 bananas
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup almond/soy/cow's milk
a couple handfuls of spinach or other fresh greens (kale and chard are good too, though more bitter, so use less)
a couple tablespoons of ground flaxseed or almond meal
as much water as you need to get the right liquidity
I too am appalled at the lack of a proper lunch break. As if kids that age didn't already have enough issues around eating well... I'm sure your daughter will find her rythym though. Kids that age are also incredibly resiliant, and yours is well equiped to navigate this new world.
Yes, you will get through this! I have discovered that as my children have gotten older they need me more than they did when they were little.
Here is a yummy and very simple smoothie recipe that requires very few ingredients, but does provide protein and energy:
Choco Peanut Banana Smoothie
1 banana, sliced
1/2 cup skim milk
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
It looks like you've already got some great smoothie recipes in the comments, that look similar to what we like to make at my house. My daughter had a late lunch last year so I would send Cliff or Lara bars with her to snack on sometime in the morning.
You have such beautiful daughters, who have had such a strong foundation in their early years. I imagine that Helen will do great at her new school.
Our smoothies were the epitome of simplicity - just yogurt and strawberries. A morning option was leftover pasta with cheese. Rarely refused. :<)
High school. Wow. I hope she finds her rhythm. I am very mindful of the foods my children eat, and can see the stress that a poor diet brings. I don't make anything fancy in terms of smoothies - just some combo of berries, peaches, banana, and juice. I always put in yoghurt. That may provide some protein. Why no lunch break? Seems kids should all take a break and sit down to eat. Is she at a public HS now? Or more Waldorf?
Sarah, it will pass:-) My eldest had a weak stomach in the morn so often times I would whip up a smoothie with banana and blueberries or strawberries and make it less thick. Sometimes she just went out with some peanut butter crackers to munch on. Good luck!
such a great spot you've got here...love it!
my fave smoothie would be vanilla almond milk, peanute butter, vanilla extract, and ice, of course. <3
I have used the following combination for a toddler that would not eat...
one banana, one egg, one cupful of cold milk, one tablespoon of dried milk powder, one tablespoonful of vegetable oil, one scoop of vanilla icecream; all wizzed together in the blender and drunk with a couple of straws.
My mom used to give me a fishstick sandwich as I raced through the kitchen on my way out the door as a teen. Good luck!