The Sun’s Up Citrus Smoothie is an easy recipe that’s delicious and packed with sunny goodness.  This is a quick blender recipe that includes both fresh fruit and vegetables.  It’s delicious for breakfast or for an after school snack.

Grab a Little Sunshine with the Sun’s Up Citrus Smoothie

We are re-focusing on the quick and easy for back to school!  I love the Sun’s Up Smoothie.  When we make the Sun’s Up Smoothie I tell kids that we are grabbing all of the colors of the rays of sunshine and putting them into the blender for a healthy start to our day.  

This blender of goodness is packed with all kinds of fruity yum.  In fact, there’s a tad of veggies in the mix that cannot be tasted in this delicious blend.  That’s right, 100% carrot juice.  Carrots have fresh sweetness in their crispy little bite and adding a bit of 100% carrot juice into this smoothie mixture is undetectable. 

A smoothie is a wonderful way to blend in extra vegetables without the kids knowing.   However, I am a firm believer about sneaking it in, but telling them afterwards what they are eating or drinking.  I have discovered that it helps to open their minds to how a recipe can help us get foods in our bodies we might not eat alone.

Here is the printable version of the Sun’s Up Citrus Smoothie for your convenience:

Sun's Up Smoothie

Print

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups ice
• 6 oz. low fat vanilla yogurt
• 1 cup low fat milk
• 1 banana
• 2 cups 100% orange juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup 100% pure carrot juice

Instructions

Put everything into the blender, mix it up & serve…who doesn’t want to start their day with a cup of sunshine?

Notes

Recipe School Handouts

The Sun’s Up Citrus Smoothie recipe is a recipe I travel with when visiting schools with the Price Chopper/Market 32 Kids Cooking Club & it’s a ‘thumbs up’ winner for quick and easy breakfast making or after school snacking.   I’ve made this smoothie thousands of times with many children – this is not an exaggeration! 

It’s always a big hit!

More on the Sun’s Up Smoothie Ingredients:

• . Dairy Allergies: 
  • The Milk:  If you have a dairy allergy, replace the milk with your favorite dairy alternative.  Depending on your allergy concerns, I suggest you consider rice milk or coconut milk for this recipe.  The rice milk is very gentle in flavor and it allows the other flavors to ‘shine’ in this smoothie recipe.  It does make the mixture a little icier.  If you use coconut milk it adds a bit of a tropical flavor to this mix and is creamier.  Always use alternatives that are best for your dietary needs.
  • The Yogurt:  Replace the yogurt with one of your favorite vanilla dairy free yogurt alternatives based on your dietary needs.  There are many great options on the market.
• Carrot Juice: 100% carrot juice can be found in the produce aisle at Price Chopper/Market 32 Supermarkets. There is also a delicious blend of 100% carrot juice with turmeric and ginger added.  Carrots a are a great source of beta-carotene.  What’s a beta-carotene?  Here’s what the experts have to say (LINK).  These orange, crispy bites are filled with other healthy benefits.  You can learn more by clicking here.
• Leftovers? No worries turn them into freeze pops!  Pour the leftovers into the 7 oz. paper coated cups and place them in the freezer for one hour. Then add a wooden craft stick to the center and let them freeze overnight.
• Lessons for Children when making this smoothie recipe;
  • Measuring ingredients
  • Pouring
  • Blending
  • Blender Safety