Smoothies. What’s not to love about a smoothie on a hot summer day? I have to admit, my first experience with smoothies came in the late 90s…at a Jamba Juice. I lined up with my older sister and we waited for our Pina Colada smoothies. The whirl of blenders, the cheerful cashiers, and the piles of fresh fruit in visible view made for a dining experience I’ll never forget.
Fast forward a decade or two and we’re still loving smoothies…but now we make them at home. Weary of smoothie joints that add a variety of sugars and overly processed ingredients to our blended drinks, we’ve brought the magic home.
And so I’m happy to say that Lucy’s first memories of smoothies will be made in our kitchen. I’m able to buy the freshest ingredients and concoct unique variations based on what looks best at the market. I have no doubt she’ll have her own opinions about what she wants (and doesn’t want) in her smoothies in the years to come, so I’m taking advantage of this short season. This blueberry and avocado smoothie was a hit…and like all of my Little One Eats recipes, Ryan and I enjoyed it too. Blueberries and avocados are both loaded with antioxidants, making them a wise choice for health as well as for taste. And avocados are loaded with healthy fats, which are especially important for growing bodies.
But let’s be honest: my heart finds its first allegiance in coffee…and it’s no surprise Lulu is already following suit. If this smoothie doesn’t win you over, take a quick few minutes to watch this sweet film Ryan put together while I was photographing a wedding in Crested Butte last weekend. I had left Ryan and Lu to spend the afternoon together, and Ryan used our spare camera to create this informal yet fabulous little film.
Blueberry Avocado Smoothie
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (organic)
1 banana, chopped and frozen
1/2 avocado
1/2 cup breast milk, cow’s milk, almond milk
1 TBSP honey (optional)
Combine ingredients in a blender…blend…and enjoy! How simple is that!
We just started making smoothies as well, I have a little fuss pot when it comes to veggies, so smoothies are a great way to hide them! She will quickly gulp back baby spinach or carrots if they are mixed with some delicious berries!
You husband did a beautiful job on the video, it looks like Lucy had a wonderful time!
My daughter and I are loving “Little One Eats”!
I love this! “My heart finds its first allegiance in coffee” – so true of me, too. Looks so yummy, will have to try this one with my husband. I love your blog and all of the beautiful pictures and I really liked that cake stand!
Homemade smoothies came into our lives because of Jamba and toddlerhood, too! And it’s still growing strong, as you know 😉 I love this and especially love the video – Lucy is going to be a coffee afficionado, you can tell! But first, smoothies. This is such a good one for little people and big people alike!
So cute! and what a great smoothie! YUM
Monet: It is so good to see that your precious little one already enjoys fruits and everything else made from it.
It has been a while that I don’t drink an avocado smoothie, something quite traditional in my home country. It is so creamylicious… And the blueberries add the tartness that avocado lacks. Both fruits together make the perfect smoothie! Happy Summer!
Just discovered your blog through Kiran@kirantarun.
Lovely posts, beautiful pics and great writing.
The smoothie looks gorgeous and it’s so cute to see how your little one already
enjoys this treat.
Great smoothie! Love the combo of flavors in this — so nice. Thanks.
I watched the movie and I love the coffee mark on Lucy’s forehead <3 I also went to see another movie of Ryan's – the one from a wedding. I just want to say that I don't know this people but the video made me cry, it's so emotional. Great work Ryan!
Smoothes are in my heart for a looong time and I find avocado a perfect addition to everything, so can't wait to try out this recipe. Have a great week!
Thank you Marta! Lucy is such a funny girl already.
Thanks for digging deeper and finding the other video. It was really fun and emotional getting to make the wedding video. I will hopefully be making many more in the coming years. All the best to you!
I really hope you will, as I’ve seen many wedding videos and usually it’s just a pretty picture, but catching emotions is an unique skill. Good luck! And I can’t wait to see a video from your future trip to Europe 😉
It’s so great to see her enjoy fruits already!! I want this smoothie myself just because I love morning smoothies.
OMG that video! Can I tell you how much I love Lucy sticking her face in the empty coffee cup??? It’s so precious! 🙂
And this smoothie sounds delicious – I’ve been drinking smoothies most mornings lately since it’s been so hot and I love that you added avocado. I add spinach to mine all the time but never though to add in the avocado. Will definitely be trying that!
Such a sweet video!
We are smoothie lovers in our house. Many lunches are air popped popcorn with nutritional yeast and a veggie/fruit smoothie.
Also, your description of Jamba Juice! Spot on. I love it. Definitely had a few sugar laden smoothies in my youth.
The sweetest video in the world!
The type of stuff you will cherish as a family forever!
loved it…
I’ve never added avocado to a smoothie! We usually do kale or spinach.
Now I really need to go find a couple baskets of blueberries! This sounds so delicious and refreshing. 🙂
Sweet, sweet! Know Lucy will treasure this film in the years to come. Looks like she really enjoys mom’s cooking and smoothies!
I agree, there is way too much sugar in smoothies at smoothie shops. Love your smoothie recipe, and the addition of avocado. I need to make smoothies at home more often. Your video is lovely, it looks like you had a wonderful trip. Hugs, Terra
What a marvelous smoothie! But the film is what really captured my heart! Wonderful scenes with Lucy!
Smoothies are such a perfect whole food to give little ones. When my daughters were little they used to call a blueberry/spinach smoothie chocolate milk, since the blue and green combo made the smoothie brown.
ehehe…out of breast milk for the time being, but almond milk, I make regularly. Great smoothie and delicious shots!
ela h.
I so want to try this as it sounds delicious and quite filling 🙂
I think my first smoothie was a Jamba Juice also! And now I probably wouldn’t step foot in one. Oh how times have changed. I will happily make this at home, though! Love that you are initiating Lucy into the world of smoothies!
A delightfully healthy smoothie! Lucy is so cute.
Cheers,
Rosa
YUM!! This looks so healthy and delicious!! And you are so right… smoothies are perf for a hot day!! LOVE it 🙂 and your little girl?!! SOoooo cute! 🙂
You’re so right! Making them at home is the much smarter way to do it. Sometimes you see them add ice creams and sorbets and that really detracts from the goodness of a smoothie.
I never thought about putting avocado into our smoothies, but we do drink a lot of them! We’ll have to give this a try!
looooooooooove that you make homemade smoothies and that lil Lucy loves them so much!
I love smoothies and this combo sounds delicious! That’s wonderful that Lucy is a big fan and she’s so adorable holding the coffee cup 🙂
I made a banana avocado smoothie before, but I love the addition of blueberries!
What a delightful smoothie (especially in Lucy’s hands 😉 ) – agreed that selecting according to freshness is the way to go at the market! I’m loving your work so far in Little One Eats and what a sweet video too (yup, that must have been dad completely relaxed about entrusting baby with a porcelain mug 😉 love it!).
I’m going to have to save this, and the rest of your little one eats recipes, for the coming months! 🙂
My little nephew loves smoothies too. I don’t know what I would do without them in the summer. So good but they definitely help me stay cool with no A/C
What a beautiful little film! it has so much character and joy! I can’t wait to add this simple smoothie to my rotation is sounds fantastic!
I love the creaminess that avocado lends to a smoothie! Thanks for the recipe!