Meet Alotta Colada: A Pineapple Smoothie (52 New Foods, Week 17) May 01 2012, 3 Comments

A recent trip to Hawaii left us longing for the tastes of the islands. What better way to bring back a sweet Hawaiian breeze than with a healthy pineapple smoothie!

Sun, sand and lazy days spent playing in the surf. It was a recipe for a perfect Spring Break vacation. This year we took the kids to Hawaii, and one of our favorite snacks (and a new food for my daughter) was the deliciously sweet pineapple that was in abundant supply. One taste of a virgin Pina Colada and my kids were hooked. Not surprising given the sugary syrup, so I decided to create a healthy version of our favorite island drink that we could all feel good about enjoying.

Feature Recipe: Pineapple Smoothie

Most kids would happily jump at the sweet, juicy flavor of a fresh pineapple. For reasons beyond my ability to understand, my daughter was hesitant. It took a visit to Hawaii to change her mind. Whether it was the warm island breezes or the myriad ways that pineapple works into island cooking, my daughter ventured to try this sweet fruit on a recent family jaunt to Hawaii – and she loved it!

“Healthy” and “Hawaii” don’t always go hand in hand, so I decided to create a healthy version of a Pina Colada that features fresh organic pineapple (to avoid the chemicals and concerns sometimes associated with this fruit).

Alotta Colada: A Pineapple Smoothie

Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
½ organic pineapple
½ organic banana
1 cup orange juice (preferably fresh squeezed)
6oz coconut milk yogurt (or substitute with non-fat Greek yogurt)
6 ice cubes

Directions:
1)    Slice the pineapple into wedges, making sure to remove the tough center and any pieces of the rough outer skin.
2)    Load all of the ingredients, ice cubes first, into a blender.
3)    Blend for 1 to 2 minutes, or until smooth.

Serve with a wedge of pineapple on the side of your glass. Enjoy!

Crunch a Color Kids Vote: Blend it up!

What we liked: This tasty treat makes a refreshing afternoon snack. The coconut milk yogurt (found at most natural foods stores) can easily be substituted with Greek yogurt for an extra boost of protein. It’s reminiscent of a Pina Colada, but much healthier!

What is your favorite healthy smoothie recipe? Do tell!

Next up: Thai Chicken Wraps
The mint we planted earlier this spring is bursting out of our little garden. What better way to use it than as a feature in Laurie David’s tasty Thai Chicken Wraps! Who’s joining us for dinner?

Craving more new recipes to try? Catch up on last week’s recipe: Healthy Caesar Salad.

About the author: Jennifer Tyler Lee is a mom of two children and the creator of Crunch a Color™ -- the award-winning game that makes healthy eating fun. Like most parents, she struggled to get her kids to eat healthy, balanced meals, so she decided to make it into a healthy eating game and she’s giving back to support non-profit children’s nutrition programs including Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution and FoodCorps. Watch her picky eaters tell the story of how they turned into healthy eaters playing the game. Follow @crunchacolor on Facebook and Twitter to tune into Crunch a Color's healthy eating adventure and Jennifer’s tips and kid-friendly, easy recipes.