If you are constantly fighting to get your kids to eat their fruits and vegetables, then this tip is for you. One of the things I love best about summer is all the fresh product that’s available. The hard part can be getting children to actually eat them though. Let’s surprise them with a yummy frozen treat this week that looks a lot like a milkshake. In fact, you may want to call it that when you serve up the smoothies. It’s our little secret that they are actually drinking something that’s good for them.

Both fresh and frozen fruits are great in smoothies. Yummy choices are strawberries, bananas and peaches. You can combine a few different types of fruit or stick with just one or two. Start with some fruit and flavors that you know your child loves. Got a child who likes strawberries and vanilla ice cream? Make a smoothie from frozen strawberries and vanilla yogurt along with a bit of juice or milk. For chocolate lovers, try blending frozen banana and chocolate milk.

From there, once you have them hooked on smoothies expand their flavor horizon by including various other types of fruit including strawberries, mangoes and various melons. One thing to keep in mind is that kids like their frozen treats sweet. There’s nothing wrong with adding a little sugar or honey to their smoothies.

My daughter’s favorite right now is this strawberry pineapple smoothie recipe, but she also enjoys a yummy banana smoothie or even mango and pineapple ones. Give a few different smoothie recipes a try until you find a favorite for each member of your family.

If your child isn’t big into milk and yogurt, make a smoothie with orange juice instead. You can of course also use soy or rice milk to make these delicious treats. While you’re at it, be sure to whip one up for yourself as well. Your body can use those vitamins just as much.

As you and your kids get more and more into smoothie making, consider adding some vegetables to the mix as well. Start with something simple like adding some carrot juice to your favorite fruit smoothie. Cucumbers, celery and even spinach are other good choices. You may want to skip the milk and yogurt in a smoothie made mostly from vegetables. Just add some apple juice or the likes instead.