Thursday, May 14, 2009

Frugal Friday--Fast and Frugal Snack




I was making healthy smoothies almost every day during the first couple of months of my hubby's injury. However, since he's healed up and we've gotten busier with springtime activities, I've gotten out of the habit and don't make them as often. But my kids love smoothies and I want them to be getting the benefits of yogurt in their diet. So, the other day I filled one of their tupperware cups half-full of plain homemade yogurt and half full of grape juice. I put my finger over the hole in the lid and shook it up. Instant smoothie without the work of pulling out the blender! You can throw in some flax meal, veggie puree, or wheat germ if it's handy. These are much healthier than the sugar-loaded smoothie drinks you can buy in the store.
My kids also enjoy plain yogurt with some fresh or frozen fruit mixed in but I have found that when they drink their yogurt in a smoothie instead of eating it, there is MUCH less mess to clean up!
These quick-smoothies are very frugal for us considering we get milk (which I make into yogurt) and juice through WIC. However, even if we were paying for the milk and juice, with some good sales on these items, these drinks would still fit our budget and they help fill up those bottomless-pit-tummies that my kiddoes have!
For more Frugal Friday Ideas, visit Life as Mom today!

7 comments:

Melissa said...

What a great idea! I'm all for finding healthy shortcuts!

Christian Frugal Mama said...

Very cool! We also get WIC items and I make homemade yogurt from the milk. I'll definitely have to try this!

Tia @ TiaSavingCents said...

Great idea! I never would have thought of it! Thanks for sharing!!

Buffie said...

I love this idea. I'm going to have to try it with my daughter. Thanks for the tip.

Eighteen said...

Good idea.
FOund your blog this week and am enjoying it.
You have introduced me to Frugal Fridays!

Unknown said...

I'm lactose intolerant, but my midwife says I need more calcium, so I try to eat yogurt or cottage cheese (easier to handle than milk) more often now.
This is my new fave snack - fruit, mixed with yogurt and maybe honey if it needs it, mix with cinnamon if desired, and sprinkle some healthy cereal (I can't eat cereal in milk, but it's so fiber-ful and it adds a nice crunch to yogurt) like granola or something on top.
If I can have it with strawberries and a little bit of canned pineapple (my two fave fruits), then I think it's better than ice-cream!

I've also been using yogurt and frozen juice mixed with fresh spinach and frozen fruit to make healthy smoothies :) it's pretty good.
But NEVER use frozen spinach in a smoothie because it's GROSS.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure you appreciate all the working moms and dads who pay taxes to help support the WIC program. Perhaps a shout-out to thank them?

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