What to do with a picky lunch eater?
I have tried it all. Begging, bribing and threatening!
What helped most? Asking what would be a good lunch. (Now, why did it take me so long to figure that out?!)
My boys want a lunch that they can eat as fast as possible so they can maximize recess.
I want them to have enough fuel in their bellies to make it through the day. (Ideally, there would be some nutrition in there, too!)
They decided smoothies would be fast, nutritious and delicious. Even better when that smoothie is in the form of a chocolate shake!
How to get a smoothie to school was the next dilemma.
I found these lunch-box sized thermal containers that keep drinks cold until lunch. If I prefill it with ice-cold water while I'm making the smoothie, it keeps them even colder. Just pour out the cold water and pour in the smoothie.
My boys like to drink their smoothie with a straw. At home we use glass straws (made from thick Pyrex), but when I sent them to school, one broke. We now have stainless steel straws for school. The little straw brush that came with my glass straws keeps both types clean.
 |
| Chocolate Shake with Sweet Potatoes and Pineapple |
This Chocolate Shake that I made for The Balanced Platter is a favorite lunch.
I shared this with Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays and Wellness Weekend.
Vegan Chocolate Shake
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sweet potato, baked, mashed and refrigerated
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons date paste (pitted medjool dates either pre-soaked in hot water and pureed, or pureed with a little water)
- 2 cups non-dairy milk drink (I used unsweetened coconut milk beverage.)
- 1 cup ice, or more to taste
Preparation:
In a blender, combine all ingredients, except ice. Blend until well combined.
Add ice, and blend until thoroughly combined.
Happy Cooking!
Kim
My new book Super Seeds, is available now! You can also find tasty recipes in Welcoming Kitchen: 200 Delicious Allergen & Gluten-Free Vegan Recipes
.
Now this looks DELICIOUS. I imagine it tastes like a dessert!?
ReplyDeleteIt really does, Kathryn!
ReplyDeleteSweet potatoes, pineapple and dates? What a combination! It's almost like carrot and chocolate cakes merging!
ReplyDeleteThis is just too cool, Kim. I've never combined sweet potato and chocolate. YUM!
ReplyDeleteHeather, since I don't like bananas, I sub sweet potato often when people use bananas, so I've been on to the yummy combo for a while!
ReplyDeleteI have to say this is the oddest smoothie recipe I've ever seen. How did you come up with adding pineapple, chocolate and dates together? o-O But because it sounds so weird (and I accidentally have all the ingredients), I think I might accidentally have to try it out today..
ReplyDeleteI love sweet potatoes with chocolate. They're creamy and kinda neutral.
ReplyDeleteKim, that looks delicious. Looks like the sweet potato gave it a marvelous texture. Can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteA couple years ago you commented on my post about popcorn that you (or Megan) also have popcorn issues. I have now mastered popcorn, thanks to helpful hints from others.