It's All in the Presentation

The same smoothie these kids rejected in the morning because they "didn't like it" was eagerly gobbled up that afternoon after I froze it into popsicles.

I've found the importance of presentation to be especially true when dealing with children. After I tried sneaking kale and spinach into some of our smoothies, our kids have become wary of the term "smoothie." They will eat them sometimes, but they don't jump at the chance as quickly or consistently as I would like. Half the time, they don't like it and I end up drinking everyone's smoothies myself (this is usually when I try to sneak in a little extra nutrients by adding flax seed or something). The other half, they love it and I don't have enough to go around.

The younger they are, though, the easier it is to persuade them to like something. For Charlie, I call my berry smoothies a "banana-berry milkshake," and he will drink it down much more willingly than if I just call it a smoothie.

Frankie loves them every time. The only problem with him is that he really likes to play with his food. Half the time, he dumps his smoothie into his lap and starts rubbing it into his legs so he ends up with red legs covered in stuck-on raspberry seeds.