4 Ways Your Kids Will Love Smoothies

Our new Nature's Place Smoothies are perfect for keeping your family on a healthy track this summer – they're full of important vitamins and are dairy free, so you can drink them in any temperature. We know it can still be a hassle to get kids onboard with fruits and veggies. So here are a few easy, affordable ways you can entice the whole family to take advantage of these delicious, nutritious smoothies!

Make mornings a little easier with overnight oats – an already simple breakfast plan simplified further with the use of Nature's Place Smoothies. Just add equal parts almond milk and smoothie to plain, steel cut oats and leave them in the fridge overnight. Serve cold in the morning for a fresh, delicious breakfast option. Pro-tip: top with other fruit, coconut shavings, cinnamon or a pinch of cocoa powder for unique and flavorful combination!

As the weather gets hotter and you spend more time outside, you'll find yourself drinking more to stay hydrated. Water and normal ice cubes can get boring, but water served over Nature's Place Smoothies ice cubes is a refreshing and nutritious way to stay hydrated! Simply pour your favorite Nature's Place Smoothie into an ice cube tray and freeze overnight. Once frozen, gently pop the ice cubes out of the tray and enjoy in a glass of water, lemonade or tea!

Want to win Mom of the Year award? Homemade fruit rolls/leather are easy and sure to put you at the top of that list for your kiddos. Simply, cover a baking sheet with plastic wrap (making sure it will not come in contact with the oven rack) and pour the smoothie flavor of your choice on top – just be sure to use a smaller pan so you'll be able to get good coverage. Place the pan in the oven on a low temperature – 140 or 150 degrees – for about 8-10 hours. You'll want the consistency of the leather to be thickened and not sticky before you remove it.

And since its summer, we of course want to suggest Nature's Place Smoothie popsicles as a fun, guilt-free snack you can give your kids all season long! Pour your smoothie flavor of choice into Popsicle molds (or Dixie cups if that's what you have on hand) with sticks for holding, and freeze overnight. If you are using Dixie cups, place tin foil over the lids and poke the sticks through the foil. This will ensure that the sticks stay upright while freezing. Pro-tip: for super delish flavor combinations, pour one smoothie flavor halfway up and freeze for 1-2 hours or until solid. Next, pour another flavor until full and freeze.