Popsicles for breakfast?

[AAK]

Ok, lately my four year old is very reluctant to eat anything of value for breakfast. As a result, she often doesn't eat for several (grumpy) hours in the morning. She does like smoothies--but right now won't eat them because she wants me to let her have pudding, choc. milk, hot cocoa, or ice cream. To be honest, I don't mind the choc. milk or hot cocoa if she also eats something else. But, lately, she won't. (So I refuse to give her any of it). She used to love eggs & oatmeal. So, I guess this is a power struggle.

So, in the past we have turned our smoothies into popsicles. This came about not wanting to waste the extra. So, I was thinking about making dd some "popsicles" for breakfast. A breakfast "cookie" or bar would be great too, except I really don't want one with a lot of sugar.

My current smoothy is usually made from plain yogurt, a banana, and berries (usually blueberry, raspberry, and/or strawberry). The fruit sweetens it a bunch so I don't feel the need to add juice or honey or use sweetened yogurt. I would like to up the nutritional punch before I turn this into a popsicle. Even though it is from the berries, I am sure this is not very balanced--lots of sugar, little protein. I can just add protein powder, but wanted to solicit ideas from everyone here. Also, if I could make a peanut butter one-- or use unsweetened cocoa powder to make a chocolate one, that would be really good.

Thanks,

Amy

[lil_miss_understood]

Banana ice cream.
You could probably add nuts and cocoa to that.

[Martha27]

you could throw a little spinach into the smoothie, the fruits usually hide the spinach taste or a squeeze of fresh lemon also hides the spinach well too. Might turn it to more of a green colored popsicle but my kids always think their "green drink" is cool

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by Martha27

you could throw a little spinach into the smoothie, the fruits usually hide the spinach taste or a squeeze of fresh lemon also hides the spinach well too. Might turn it to more of a green colored popsicle but my kids always think their "green drink" is cool

This reminds me...
You could also make "zucchini milk". You peel and steam a zucchini then puree it. It can be used in place of milk in any recipe and would likely "hide" in a smoothie really easily.

[happy1nluv]

how about adding hemp or flax seeds (flax gives it a definite taste, i dont recall if hemp do too...)

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by happy1nluv

how about adding hemp or flax seeds (flax gives it a definite taste, i dont recall if hemp do too...)

Oh yes! Soaked raw almonds or sunflower seeds as well.

[karne]

We sometimes use almond butter in our smoothies, and I'll bet you could freeze it in popsicles. It would probably pair well w/ bannana or something chocolate. It does have a pretty strong flavor though.

[tanyalynn]

I can't help with the popsicle part, but if a bar-type thing would work, have you seen the big Baked Oatmeal thread? It was in this forum, just search for it. The sweetness is highly variable, it's basically normal oatmeal + eggs (or probably egg substitutes for those who don't eat eggs) baked into a 9x13 cake-shape and then cut into squares (hands or fork).

[kjbrown92]

carrot juice is another "sweet" juice that also adds vitamin A. Coconut milk would add extra fat if you wanted it. Soaked cashews are another one that puree pretty well in a smoothie.

[Otterella]

We do smoothies or the resulting smoothie pops for breakfast quite often. I actually just had one for my morning snack. They're also AWESOME for a protein pick-me-up in labor. Here's my recipe:

1/2 container ricotta cheese
1 cup whole milk yogurt
1 cup pomegranate juice
2 cups frozen berries (I use blueberries or half blue, half strawberry)
1 banana
1-2 scoops hemp protein powder (you can use other types, but I personally avoid soy)


I call them "milkshakes" for the kids. The ricotta cheese makes them thick just like milkshakes, so they don't know the difference!

[happydance]

Originally Posted by Otterella

We do smoothies or the resulting smoothie pops for breakfast quite often. I actually just had one for my morning snack. They're also AWESOME for a protein pick-me-up in labor. Here's my recipe:

1/2 container ricotta cheese
1 cup whole milk yogurt
1 cup pomegranate juice
2 cups frozen berries (I use blueberries or half blue, half strawberry)
1 banana
1-2 scoops hemp protein powder (you can use other types, but I personally avoid soy)


I call them "milkshakes" for the kids. The ricotta cheese makes them thick just like milkshakes, so they don't know the difference!

Can you tell me how much this yeilds?

[ammiga]

I don't see anything wrong with giving kids healthy foods in a form they will eat them. When I make smoothies I use fruit, plain yogurt, carrot juice, and a splash of vanilla. If I wanted more veggies and protein, I'd throw in almond or peanut butter and some frozen spinach. I've never tried adding avocado, but I think I read about someone doing that too.

[425lisamarie]

DD will eat anything frozen. I like to use greek yogurt, higher in protein and filling. I've had success pureeing white beans in things.....I usually do an 8ounce container of greek yogurt, lots of blueberries, a banana, and like a half cup white beans and a handful of spinach. A pinch of cinnamon and a little good vanilla is great too. I do a drizzle of honey but you don't really need to.

[Nicole730]

We use Mori-Nu tofu, yogurt, and kefir for protein in our smoothies. I also usually put in flax seed. We freeze them this way also.

[happysmileylady]

You mention that she used to love eggs and oatmeal. These are typically considered breakfast foods. Have you tried "non breakfast" foods, like maybe grilled cheese or quesadillas or something else she might be eating during the day?

[californiajenn]

You can make pudding and ice cream pretty healthy, just cut waaaay back on the sugar and use banana's or other fruit to sweeten. What about custard, it's like pudding. Lots of eggs, some coconut or whole fat milk, tsp of maple syrup, and sprinkle with raspberries. For ice cream, kefir the milk and then use raw honey to sweeten before freezing. Lot's of good probiotics and fats.

You can make muffins from almond flour. Add some carrots and zucchini and you've got an excellent start to the day.

www.elanaspantry.com and www.thespunkycoconut.com have great ideas for just the problem.

This is making me hungry... :-)

[Otterella]

Originally Posted by happydance

Can you tell me how much this yeilds?

I never really measured specifically. When I make it, I'll get good sized smoothies for me and two kids, then freeze about 8 or so 2-ounce popsicles.

[happydance]

Originally Posted by Otterella

I never really measured specifically. When I make it, I'll get good sized smoothies for me and two kids, then freeze about 8 or so 2-ounce popsicles.

awesome! I got the ingredients for this last night.

What size container ricotta? I usually have common sense about cooking but I never use ricotta so I have no clue.