Homemade milkshakes can be both a healthy and a tasty treat!
Here are three milkshakes that you can make at home that have all the flavor of a robust treat without all the calories and fuss! I chose three that are not as commonly heard of but still pack a healthy punch. It will also help introduce your family to some new fruits to place high up on the try it list, giving them a more worldly view of organic foods.
California Date Shakes: I had the pleasure of growing up in the Mojave Desert in Southern California as a kid, so this one brings back memories of long drives, date palms, the Indio Date Festival, and the serenity of the desert. So for this one, set out some cacti and place pitted dates in an individual bowl. Your going to need about a cup per individual milk shake. Dates are one of the sweetest fruits and are found to be in high in dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and cholesterol levels. They also come from a group of antioxidants known as tannins. They are anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hemorrhagic as well as plum full of beta carotene!
How to do this?
- Take one cup of dates finely chopped and match it with one cup of frozen french vanilla yogurt and 1/2 cup of skim milk. This helps reduce the calories.
- Place both equal parts into the blender and add a little ground nutmeg and put blender on the milkshake setting.
- You can opt to add other ingredients such as nuts but it depends on your family and their food allergy history.
Who says making milkshakes can't be fun! Use props to set the scene, such as a cactus for a date shake.
Fresh Fruit With Caramel Drizzle Shake: This one is even easier than the last! Visit your local grocery store for a few frozen ingredients. I like Cascadian Farm strawberries and organic bananas. Also, pick up a tub of frozen vanilla yogurt. Buy the little cubes of caramel from the candy section. Strawberries are a great source of fiber and vitamin A and C, as well as B6! Bananas are brimming with potassium and are key to helping with belly bloat. Good to Know!
How to do this?
- Create a mini fondue section on the counter so kids and parents can dip fresh pieces of fruit in melted caramel. Yum!
- Cut up the strawberries and bananas and add to the blender, along with an equal cup of frozen vanilla yogurt and a half cup of skim milk. Push the milkshake button and blend.
- When shakes are done drizzle hot caramel over the top for melty goodness on extreme cold. Enjoy!
Make a Family Gathering Special by Letting Kids Help in the Kitchen!
Pumpkin Pie Milkshakes: With Halloween just around the corner I thought I should add one for the glorious autumn season! This one takes a few more ingredients than the other two but is still user-friendly and simple. Set the stage with some pumpkins and gourds, a cinnamon broom, and some pinecones for this delicious treat. You just need graham crackers,1/3 pureed pumpkin, 2 teaspoons organic brown sugar, nutmeg, 1/2 cup of milk, cinnamon, and a cup of frozen vanilla yogurt! Awe, what can we say about pumpkins? The bright orange color of the pumpkin means its teeming with beta-carotene, which converts to Vitamin A in the body. It also helps reduce the risks of cancer and the signs of aging. Talk about incentive!
How to do this?
- Add everything into the blender, let the kiddies stir! Save the frozen yogurt for last so that you get a certain mushy consistency. Add the nutmeg and the graham crackers to the top of the shake and serve chilled.
Try these out and let me know what you think! We’d also love to hear about some of your own food bonding stories and ideas! Happy Milkshakes!
Blogger Laurali Star can be found on The Damsel in the Attic and her new blog.