This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon Organic. The opinions and text are all mine.
Start your day with Cupid's Vanilla Berry Smoothie! It's a two-minute breakfast solution that will help your family lead an active and healthy lifestyle...and it's 100% kid-approved!
Don't we all love to spoil our loved ones...especially on Valentine's Day?! But just because the holiday is known for chocolate, candy, and everything SWEET, doesn't mean that you have to send your kids off for the day with a massive sugar rush! Instead, how about this festive vanilla berry smoothie?
A Pretty Berry Smoothie For Valentine's
Not only is this smoothie packed with protein, calcium, and fruit, but it's also quick to prepare (about 2 minutes and only 3 ingredients!!!). I use Horizon's Organic Vanilla Lowfat Milk because I always have some chilled in my refrigerator (it's Spencer's FAVORITE milk so I buy it in bulk!), and it's a great shortcut since it's slightly sweet and has a mellow vanilla flavor already added to it.
Best of all, the smoothie is 100% kid-approved! Each of my 3 boys LOVES this frosty drink...can you tell?!
Smiles all around! They even request this for snack in the afternoons...holiday or NOT!
When we're rushing off to school in the morning and I need a quick grab-and-go option to pair with their drinks, I offer the boys some of their favorite Horizon snack grahams and sandwich crackers, too.
These are also pantry staples at our house, and they're great for munching in the car, tossing into school lunch boxes, or pairing with fruit and dairy for breakfast. The added carbs give this breakfast some extra staying-power to fuel my boys through their busy mornings.
Spence literally does a cheer when he sees me serving these Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers!
And if you need some Valentine's Day lunchtime inspiration, here's a quick and easy packed meal that I recently put together. Nothing fancy, since I don't have that much free time, but it's perfectly festive for the holiday!
I included some heart-shaped watermelon (which I cut with a cookie cutter), as well as a heart-shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwich. You also see some Horizon Organic Fruit Snacks, some Horizon Vanilla Yogurt with Valentine's Day decorations, and some Horizon Organic Chocolate Lowfat Milk (Gibbs's lunchtime favorite).
Treating your family to a special holiday meal is a great way to show them that you care, and it doesn't have to be time consuming or difficult. Trust me -- your kids will LOVE these simple and sweet ideas!
Cupid's Vanilla Berry Smoothie
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Horizon Organic low-fat Vanilla Milk
- ½ cup Horizon Organic Fat-Free Plain Yogurt (can substitute with vanilla flavored yogurt for a sweeter smoothie)
- ½ cup frozen red berries (I like a combination of strawberries and raspberries)
- ½ cup ice
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Divide between two glasses and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
This smoothie looks gorgeous, Blair! I love the idea of giving this to kids instead of massive amounts of candy. It also sounds perfect for adults, too! 🙂
Blair
Thanks, Gayle! Yep, the kids will get more than their fair share of candy and chocolate at school, so this is a much-needed dose of nutrients! 🙂
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado
I always loved the taste of vanilla milk in smoothies! I think I'd sub vanilla almond milk for cows milk!
Blair
Thanks, Bethany! That would be delicious, too!!
GiGi Eats
There is something about PINk and RED foods that turn me on... If you threw sprinkles on top - OH that is the end of me !LOL!
Blair
Totally, GiGi! Sprinkles on EVERYTHING! I actually considered adding them to this smoothie, since I add them to just about every other smoothie I make. And then I decided that I'd TRY to keep it healthy. 🙂
Lindsay Cotter
I adore this! Nourishment is true love! And horizon has great nourishment! Great smoothie and beautiful family!
Blair
Thanks so much, Lindsay! You are so sweet! And I agree -- Horizon has so many great, nourishing options!
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness
Two colors I'm loving here - the amazing pink in this smoothie and those brown eyes on those boys!!! I'm in love!!! With the smoothie too 😉
Blair
Aw, thanks Chrissa!!! 🙂
Gail Smith
Just curious about the lunch - does the yogurt and milk not need refrigeration?
Blair
Hey, Gail! The milk boxes are actually shelf-stable; however they should be cold when your child drinks them for best taste. The yogurt needs to stay refrigerated. What I do is chill the milk in the refrigerator, and then in the morning I pack my boys' lunch in a larger insulated lunchbox with an ice pack (our lunchboxes are from Pottery Barn Kids, but you can find them all over the place). That keeps everything nice and cold until lunchtime!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert
Your boys are just too darn cute, Blair! They make these smoothies looks delicious! Such a great choice for a snack or alongside a meal.
Blair
Thanks, Jen!!! The smoothies are delicious -- cute kids or otherwise! 🙂
A
This post concerns me. The amount of sugar in this lunch is clearly unhealthy.
To suggest snack crackers are a healthy breakfast alternative is irresponsible. I understand you are sponsored by horizon and most of your comments are from supporters in similar situations.
You are free to make money by promoting products. When it comes to childrens health, why not do it with integrity?
Especially when you are posting this for other mothers to follow.