Super Smooth Smoothie

I love the rich, lavender colour of a blueberry smoothie. My mother-in-law grows blueberries, raspberries and blackberries in her garden, which she picks and freezes on cookie sheets and then, once frozen, places into ziplock bags to prevent freezer burn. She makes the most perfectly frozen fruit. I inherit a few large ziplock bags of her unsprayed frozen berries…and while it’s preferable to eat local, seasonal fruits…there isn’t much to choose from in the winter on the West Coast.

Smoothies are a great way to introduce alternative proteins such as nut butters/tahini and healthy fats found in coconut oil and flax meal (also a good protein source). Some children and adults are sensitive to certain food combinations that can promote bloating and gas. It’s worth trying to separate eating fruit with whole animal proteins and/or grains at the same meal. Mainstream nutrition doesn’t offer much wisdom about healthy digestion and combining food certain groups, but we suggest following these principals to see if you notice an improvement in your or your little one’s digestion. Proteins, such as milk, yogurt, tahini or nut butter, are okay to mix with fruit.

Smoothies have an undeniably rich, creamy texture and can also be a good way to introduce vegetarian proteins, spices and unique fruit combinations, such as banana and avocado, to your budding foodie. Here are some suggestions for you to play and experiment with. Tell us about your favorite smoothie creations.

Liquid Base
Org. Whole Goat Milk or Goat Yogurt
Almond Milk (unsweetened)
Brown Rice Milk (unsweetened)
Herbal teas such as ginger/chamomile/lemon/rooibos or other fruit varieties
Fresh-pressed juice
Fresh, filtered water

Fruit Combinations
(Lisa Marie suggests using local and/or seasonal fruit as much as possible)
Blueberries and/or other local berries
Apples and/or Pears, Persimmons
Banana and Avocado

Spices (one year old plus, and just a dash)
Cinnamon
Cardamom
Ginger
Real Vanilla (ideally from the pod)

Protein/Healthy Oils
Tahini
Nut Butters (such as almond, one year old plus)
Coconut Milk
Flax/hemp seeds (freshly ground)
Coconut Oil
Ghee (from organic butter, ideally)

Sweeteners (optional)
Maple Syrup
Raw Honey (one year old +)
Brown Rice Syrup
Blackstrap molasses, unsulphured (great for additional iron, b vitamins, magnesium)

Whole Food Supplements (Optional, one year old +)
Chlorella (for those fussy ‘no greens’ eaters)
Probiotic liquids or powders (for enhancing immunity)
Royal Jelly (fresh or freeze-dried- for additional bio-available vitamins/minerals)

Frittata: An Ode to the Egg

The egg is a wonderful thing. Its oval form and yellow yolk are visually pleasing, and, what’s more the egg provides hard-to-find nutrients, such as:

Lutein: for healthy eyes
Choline: regulates the brain, nervous system and cardiovascular system.
Vitamin D: one of the few foods that provides it in a naturally occurring form, easily absorbed by the body
Omega 3: found only in grass-fed, free-range eggs

We’ve become so health conscious about fat consumption that we’re consuming more and more unhealthy (modified saturated and trans fats found in packaged foods, and reduced fats) and less and less healthy fats (omega 3 and whole fat) found in fish and nut oils, butters, eggs and whole milk. Babies and children require healthy, whole fats to develop their brains, but adults need it as well.

You can boil eggs and carry them around in their shell for a quick and healthy protein snack for your little one. Or you can make frittatas…one of my favorite lunches to give Ilan. Whisk an egg or two, add some goat yogurt or whole goat milk, and toss in tomatoes, organic spinach, goat cheese and garlic. There are so many options for toppings and frittatas are great when you have little time to spare to make a fresh breakfast, lunch or dinner. I cut Ilan’s frittata into chunks for a great finger food and make enough for both of us to share.

Note: If you have a history of egg allergies in your family, avoid introducing eggs before age one. If not, eggs yolks can be introduced at 9 months without the egg white (egg whites contain the most allergens), and the entire egg can be enjoyed from age one. Choose free-range, non-medicated eggs for optimal nutrients and fewer toxins.