Evie has been fighting a cold for about a week now. While I feel lucky because this is only her second cold/sickness in the first 17 months of her life, I also feel so sad for her. She hates having her nose wiped and she has a bit of a cough — no fun for a one year old!

In an effort to keep the cold away from Chris and me, I have been making a super healthy breakfast shake. Evelyn and I start every morning with a smoothie of some sort, and this one seems to be her new favorite! I poured some into her sippy cup, and after every little sip she would hand it back to me and ask for “more.”

Maureen’s Green Starter

2 cups orange juice
1 large banana
1 cup chopped pineapple
7 oz yogurt (preferably homemade)
1 really big handful fresh spinach leaves
1 good squirt of honey
6 ice cubes

Combine everything in a blender and mix until smooth. Enjoy! This recipe serves 2 1/2 people 🙂

Here’s the smoothie recipe I usually make. I attribute my overall well-being to this shake. Its a great way to get in a few servings of fruit, and since honey is a natural antiseptic I think it keeps me sickness-free. Honey is relatively acidic so it prevents the growth of bacteria. The many health benefits have been understood – and scientifically studied – for centuries. It is a common treatment for sore throats, burns and conjunctivitis (to name just a few)!

Maureen’s Everyday Starter

1 cup soymilk
1 scoop peanut butter
1 good squirt honey
4 oz yogurt (preferably homemade)
1 banana
frozen strawberries or blueberries
10 whole unsalted almonds
1 tablespoon flaxseeds
4 ice cubes

Combine everything in a blender and mix until smooth. Enjoy! This recipe serves 1.