Tag: snack

October 13, 2016

Easy Pumpkin Filled Chocolates

Keep the Halloween treats simple, nutritious and delicious with these pumpkin filled chocolates. Free of major allergens but full of flavor.

Halloween is just around the corner. Which means candy everywhere you turn.

Should Kids Eat Sugar?

I’m not one to tell my kids they can never have anything sweet. But I am one to shy away from most traditional processed candy.

We don’t do any food coloring.

NONE. Which eliminates pretty much all fruity candy.

I let my kids choose a couple chocolates as a special treat. But even if the ingredients aren’t too horrible I still think ethically the big name companies are not so great. And I’d prefer not to support them.

So I turn to my tried and true solution – I make my own!

Simple Treat for Pumpkin Season!

This year I went with something festive – pumpkin filled chocolates!!

Delicious, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate (I use this brand because it is allergen-free) filled with gooey, sweetened pumpkin…made with Perfect Supplements gelatin! Candy with good stuff in it? Yes, please.

These are a huge hit with my kids (especially my son that has been cocoa free for the last year and can now have it again…and my toddler that could care less about sweets but loves chocolate). We love to make them in fun shapes.

As an added bonus they are super easy to make. And if there happens to be either leftover pumpkin or chocolate they are great plain!

Easy Pumpkin-filled Chocolates!

Easy Pumpkin Filled Chocolates

2016-10-12 14:32:14

Yields 20

A simple allergy friendly chocolate filled with gooey pumpkin.

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Ingredients

1 1/2 cups chocolate chunks or chocolate chips
1/2 cup pure pumpkin
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
pinch unrefined sea salt
1 1/2 tsp. Perfect Supplements gelatin

Instructions

Melt the chocolate over a double boiler.
Fill the bottom of candy molds with half of the chocolate. Freeze to set while making the filling.
Combine the pumpkin, cinnamon, syrup, salt and gelatin in a small saucepan.
Let sit 1 minute.
Heat over low - medium heat until the gelatin is dissolved (about 3 minutes).
Add a small scoop of the pumpkin mixture to each chocolate mold. Freeze to set (about 3 minutes).
Warm the remaining chocolate. Fill the candy molds to the top. Chill.
When chocolate is solid remove the candy from the molds.
Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

By Mary - justtakeabite.com

Just Take A Bite https://justtakeabite.com/

Looking for a few other fun Halloween treats? Try these!

Pumpkin Pie Yogurt Gummies

Five Minute Salted Honey Chocolates

Chocolate Covered Toffee

Maple Candy

September 14, 2016

Blueberry Spinach Smoothie: Jam Packed With Nutrients!

No need to sacrifice nutrition on busy mornings. In less than the time it takes to pour a bowl of cereal you can have this nutrient packed blueberry spinach smoothie on the table!

School is under way. That means two things.

Mornings are busy.
The germs are spreading.

That doesn’t mean throw in the towel, buy boxes of cereal and say a prayer your child stays healthy.

No way! Now is the perfect time to get smart and start the day with a nutrient boost that supports the immune system. It also provides critical vitamins and minerals for focus and energy.

The Ultimate Energy Drink

Kids need fuel for both their minds and bodies. Get it all in this nutrient packed blueberry spinach smoothie. Fruits, vegetables and loads of vitamins and minerals.

I serve smoothies for breakfast several times a week. They are easy. And you’d be amazed how much good stuff I pack in there. This blueberry spinach smoothie is no exception.

Don’t worry – even with all that good stuff it still tastes great! All of my kids approve.

What makes it so nutritious?

I’m over at Kitchen Stewardship sharing this fool-proof way to get your child’s day started right. Bonus – it’s great mama fuel too! I make a blenderful in the morning and have some for my breakfast. Then when the kids get up I just puree for a few seconds again and their breakfast is ready. It really doesn’t get any easier.

Check out the full recipe here!

July 12, 2016

The Best Allergen Free Snacks For At Home And On The Go

Whether you’re hitting the road in the summer or you’re in your regular routine at home it’s important to have safe snacks on hand. I’ve got the best allergen free snacks to help make summer fun.

Kids love to snack. No question about it.

I try to give my kids nutrient packed meals so they aren’t too hungry between meals. But they still seem to be hungry a lot (especially due to allergies and gut issues). And with a little one trying to get back on track with weight gain I feed her any chance I get.

Summertime is no exception to the snacking.

There are so many healthy real food choices! What a blessing.

Not Everyone Is So Lucky…

What if your kids can’t eat most things that you can buy in a store or restaurant, even the healthy stuff?

Your options are quickly limited.

Managing Food Allergies On the Go

No need to worry. I’ve got a list of some of the best allergen free snacks around. They aren’t expensive processed foods. Just simple, nourishing snacks that kids love.

Believe me, I know allergies. When I say something is allergy friendly, it really is safe.

Feeding my children nourishing meals is hard. But providing safe and healthy snacks is even harder,especially when traveling. Since I can never compromise, I have to constantly be prepared.

Favorite Allergen Free Snacks for Kids

Some of these snacks work well for when you are away from home and need to keep food at room temperature. Others are simple bites to have on hand at home or kept in a cooler.

Some are salty. Some are sweet. There is a little something for everyone. Mix and match to meet your summer activity needs!

These allergen free snacks are all naturally free of (or can be made free of) gluten, dairy, nuts, eggs, corn, soy and coconut. So take your pick and enjoy safe summer snacking.

Head over to Kitchen Stewardship where I’m sharing my list of allergen free snacks!

July 5, 2016

Allergen-Free Blueberry Muffins

Easy to make and fun to eat, these allergy-friendly blueberry muffins are naturally free of gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, corn, coconut, rice and soy. Breakfast just got a whole lot tastier.

Let’s get real. Allergen-free baking is tricky.

Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. You make numerous batches and spend a lot of money on specialty ingredients.

When my son was little and had gotten a new round of allergy testing…and restrictions, I had to do more baking experimentation. I was very experienced with gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free baking. But adding eggs to the list too made it a bit harder. I started my experimenting with muffins.

Kid-Friendly Gluten-Free Muffins

He has always loved muffins. When he was two he’d get out of bed, hurry downstairs and declare he needed a muffin instantly. There was (and still is) no waiting for breakfast (he’s just like his mama). And muffins top his list for breakfast fare.

I went through a few batches that were either crumbly or too dense. But I finally perfected a truly allergen-free muffin.

You can add whatever you like to it. My son’s favorite variety is blueberry. Me? I like chocolate chips (this is the brand we love). That’s about as close as I get to dessert these days.

Easy, Egg-Free Muffins

These muffins are super easy to make. Just mix all of the ingredients in one bowl, pour into muffin tins and bake.

Every time I make muffins my son devours them and tells me I NEED to post the recipe. So today I’m finally sharing it.

There are no eggs, dairy, coconut, nuts, corn, rice, gluten or soy in these allergy-friendly blueberry muffins. They are also pretty low in sweetener.

I use a combination of grass-fed gelatin (I use this brand – use the code TAKE10 for 10% off), olive oil and honey for an egg replacement. It works perfectly!

Muffins Kids Can Make

If you’re looking for a way to get your kids in the kitchen to practice their cooking skills, allergen-free blueberry muffins are perfect. They can perfect their measuring and pouring skills. And of course sample the batter to make sure it’s ok.

Not sure how to teach your kids to cook? Check out this cooking course! We’ve been using it for years!

I like to make a big batch and stock the freezer. Though with my son’s appetite very few actually make it there. I love having an easy breakfast or perfect pairing with a bowl of nourishing soup ready whenever I need it.

Are you in need of a truly allergy-friendly muffin?

This is it! Choose your favorite additions and whip up a special breakfast treat.

Allergy Friendly Blueberry Muffins

2016-07-03 05:54:07

Yields 12

Moist, slightly sweetened blueberry muffins free of gluten, dairy, eggs, corn, soy, rice and coconut.

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Ingredients

1 1/2 cups sorghum flour
1/2 cup tapioca flour
3/4 cups water
3 Tbsp. cane sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. unrefined sea salt
1/4 cup honey
6 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 cup cold water
3 tsp. grass-fed gelatin
1/4 cup hot water
1/2 cup blueberries (or any other fresh fruit, dried fruit or chocolate chips)

Instructions

Heat the oven to 350*F. Line muffin pan with muffin cups (paper or silicone).
In a large bowl combine the sorghum, tapioca and water. Mix well, removing any lumps.
Combine the 1/4 cup cold water and gelatin. Set aside.
Add the sugar, baking soda, salt, honey and olive oil to the flour mixture. Mix well.
Add the 1/4 cup hot water to the gelatin mixture and stir to dissolve.
Pour the gelatin water into the muffin batter. Mix by hand or with a hand mixer until well mixed.
Stir in fruit.
Fill muffin cups 3/4 full.
Bake for 30 - 40 minutes (30 minutes for mini muffins, 40 minutes for full size muffins).

Notes

To make pumpkin muffins reduce the 3/4 cups of water to 1/2 cup of water and add 1/2 cup of pumpkin to the batter.
One recipe makes about 12 full size muffins or 24 mini muffins.
Add 3 Tbsp. maple syrup and omit the blueberries to make vanilla cupcakes.

By Mary - justtakeabite.com

Just Take A Bite https://justtakeabite.com/

May 30, 2016

Chocolate Filled Frozen Banana Bites

Sweet, creamy and a little taste of chocolate added in. These chocolate filled frozen banana bites are allergen friendly, easy to make and even great for teething toddlers!

With summer in full swing it’s nice to be able to give the kids a cold treat without loading them up on sugar. I do my best to make sure we have lots of time outside instead of spending a bunch of time inside the kitchen preparing food!

These frozen banana bites are fun to make and fun to eat. But so, so easy.

Knife skills.

Let your kids practice their knife skills by slicing the bananas. Then use a straw to make holes. Add a sucker stick or popsicle stick if you like and you’re halfway done with the preparation…and a three-year-old can be in charge!

A Safe Sweet.

My favorite part about chocolate filled frozen banana bites is that they are allergen friendly. Well…mostly. My son is allergic to both bananas and cocoa. But those allergies aren’t as common. Just be sure to use dairy free chocolate chips if you have dairy allergies (this is the brand I use).

Also use caution if you have a latex allergy as bananas can be cross-reactive.

Ready to get your kids in the kitchen and make a delicious, healthy treat? Check out the Kids Cook Real Food eCourse where your kids will have so much fun learning knife skills (among many other skills!). And whip up a batch of chocolate filled frozen banana bites together.

Now click here to head over to Kitchen Stewardship where I’m sharing the recipe!

Looking for more cool summer treats? Try one of these:

Black Forest Popsicles

Blueberry Cheesecake Pops

Nectarine Squash Pops

Grain Free Peach Cobbler Creamsicles

Neapolitan Ice Cream Cake

Dairy Free Thin Mint Cookie Ice Cream

May 24, 2016

Creamy Orange Poppy Seed Salad Dressing

Nothing says spring like a fresh fruit salad. Top it with this creamy orange poppy seed salad dressing for a treat the whole family will love.

It’s no secret. I LOVE salad. I could (and sometimes do) eat it every day (I’ll be sharing my secret super food dressing soon!).

But my family…not so much. For my husband a “big” salad is about ten pieces of lettuce. So when I was challenged by Stonyfield and The Cookful to create a new salad dressing it took some real thinking. What could I make that my family would actually like?

Skip the lettuce.

Instead of going the traditional lettuce salad route I opted to create a fun fruit salad! Use any fresh fruit you have on hand (especially what’s in season!). Add a burst of flavor with Stonyfield vanilla Greek yogurt (now available in full fat!!), freshly squeezed orange juice and poppy seeds.

I used what we had on hand in the house – Fat Free Vanilla Greek Yogurt. You could also use whole milk yogurt combined with a little maple syrup. But the Greek yogurt really adds a nice thickness.

This creamy orange poppy seed salad dressing is so easy to make. My big kids can make it by themselves (they are learning to do so much from The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse!!).

Great for oral sensitivities.

My oldest has a very sensitive mouth. Any hint of tartness or tough skin in her fruit and she won’t eat it. One fruit she usually does not like is grapes. She makes some pretty good pucker faces when she tries them.

But the other day all I had in the house was a bowl of grapes. I gave her a dish topped with creamy orange poppy seed salad dressing. Not a single complaint! She licked the bowl clean. It’s that good.

Spruce up your salad.

If you like sweet salad dressings (like me!) you could even use this on a lettuce salad. Add some crispy pecans, dried cherries and feta cheese. Delicious!

Looking for some other great salad dressing recipes? The Cookful has plenty to choose from . I think the No Egg Caesar Dressing would be great.

Ready to add some extra flavor to your fruit salad?

Try this super easy creamy orange poppy seed salad dressing. No more boring fruit.

Creamy Orange Poppy Seed Salad Dressing

2016-05-09 20:06:00

A creamy fruit salad dressing with a pop of orange flavor.

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Ingredients

1/2 cup Stonyfield vanilla Greek yogurt (fat free or full fat)
juice of 1/2 - 1 orange (depends how strong you want the orange flavor)
1/2 tsp. poppy seeds
pinch unrefined sea salt

Instructions

Mix all of the ingredients.
Chill for 10 minutes.
Serve over fruit as a salad, on the side as a dip or on a lettuce salad.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

Notes

This makes enough for a large fruit salad.
You can replace the vanilla yogurt with plain yogurt and 1 Tbsp. honey or maple syrup.

By Mary - justtakeabite.com

Just Take A Bite https://justtakeabite.com/

Have you heard of The Cookful?

It’s a great new site that really digs deep into specific food topics. They came up with some great salad dressing recipes!

I am working with Stonyfield and The Cookful on this post. I have been compensated for my time commitment, but I have not been paid to post positive reviews. Opinions are my own.

May 9, 2016

Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

The taste of this banana chocolate chip bread takes me back to my childhood. But my version is free of gluten, dairy, nuts, eggs, corn, soy and coconut. It’s perfect for Allergy Awareness Week!

My mom makes the BEST banana bread in the world. It’s amazing.

Growing up we would eat slice after slice. I loved putting cheese on it (yes, American cheese) for the salty sweet combination.

One of my favorite parts was that sometimes my mom would leave one loaf just a touch underdone in the middle for me. I loved the gooey doughy top. It was my special treat.

Bananas for me?

It’s been quite a few years now since I’ve been able to eat my mom’s banana bread. In fact it’s been many years since I’ve even eaten a banana. For the last ten years or more just one bite of banana would send my digestive system into spasms.

So when I had to cut them out of my daughter’s diet it was no big deal for me since I didn’t eat them anyway. A couple months ago we added them back into my daughter’s diet…with no reaction!

I started trying a little taste here and there. And gradually full bites. Then a few bites. Now I can eat a whole banana with no problem. It’s quite a miracle.

Allergy Awareness Week

When I was challenged by Enjoy Life Foods to make something with their chocolate chips for Allergy Awareness Week I thought about more homemade chocolates or brownies.

But then I had a pile of really ripe bananas to use up. It dawned on me…I can eat bananas now and haven’t made banana bread yet!

So I came up with my version of banana bread as a tribute to my mom and for those that also have a lot of allergies. This version brings me right back to my kitchen as a child, watching my mom make banana bread and waiting impatiently for it to come out of the oven.

This banana chocolate chip bread is quite moist. If you’re like my husband and have issues with texture and moisture you might want to scale back on the water in the recipe. For me it was absolutely perfect.

My little one loved it too! She will rarely eat a bite of any muffin or bread I make. But she scarfed down two pieces! Right after playing in the mud and getting a bath.

Are you in the mood for a special treat that is also allergen friendly and low in sugar?

This banana chocolate chip bread is what you need. There are only two tablespoons of honey added. The bananas add a natural sweetness (always use really ripe bananas). Of course the Enjoy Life chocolate chips just put it over the top.

Allergen Friendly.

No gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, corn, soy or coconut. But you’ll never notice. And this bread is so easy to make (and eat) you’ll want to bake three or four loaves. Keep some in the freezer for easy breakfasts and snacks.

Want a fun way to celebrate Allergy Awareness Week?

Try some gluten free banana chocolate chip bread. The whole family will love it.

Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

2016-05-05 20:35:27

An allergen friendly moist banana bread with chocolate chips for a boost of flavor.

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Ingredients

1 cup white rice flour
1/2 tsp. unrefined sea salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. grass-fed gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
1/4 cup hot water
2 Tbsp. Enjoy Life chocolate chips (mini or dark)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350*F. Grease a medium size loaf pan.
In a large bowl combine the flour, salt and baking soda.
In a small bowl combine the gelatin and 1/4 cup cold water. Set aside.
Add the olive oil, honey, banana and chocolate chips to the flour mixture.
Mix the hot water into the gelatin mix and stir until gelatin is dissolved.
Pour the hot gelatin mix into the flour mixture and stir until combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 50 minutes, until baked through.

Notes

Reduce the cold water to 2 Tbsp. for a less moist bread.
You can replace half of the white rice flour with brown rice flour or sorghum flour.

By Mary - justtakeabite.com

Just Take A Bite https://justtakeabite.com/

I am working with Enjoy Life Foods on this post. I was compensated for my time commitment but any opinions are entirely my own. I was not paid to write a positive review.

Spread the word about Allergy Awareness Week! It’s so important that more people understand that allergies can be life threatening.

May 2, 2016

Strawberry Kiwi Gummies

Just because your gummies are homemade doesn’t mean the flavor has to be boring. These strawberry kiwi gummies are bursting with flavor and made from real fruit.

Fruit snacks are a go-to snack for many kids these days. They are easy, sweet and chewy. Kids love them. They don’t require any work on mom’s part. Just grab a bag and go.

But have you ever actually looked at the ingredients? Many contain artificial flavors and colors. Even if you get natural or organic fruit snacks they contain things like caranuba wax and “natural” flavor.

Natural flavor is actually not that different from artificial flavor and can have the same impact on your child’s health and behavior. Not to mention it’s important to avoid it if your child has allergies since it can contain anywhere from 50 to 100 unknown to you ingredients. So it could contain a hidden allergen.

What’s the solution? Make your own!

Homemade gummies are so easy to make. The flavor combinations are endless. And you can make all sorts of fun shapes with candy molds.

These strawberry kiwi gummies are both fun and fruity. The juice of real strawberries and kiwis is combined with grass-fed gelatin for a protein-packed, nourishing snack.

Want to learn how to make them?

Click here to head over to Super Healthy Kids where I’m sharing this simple recipe.

April 4, 2016

Squash Cherry Smoothie

Winter, spring, summer or fall this squash cherry smoothie packs a nutritional punch and is bursting with flavor. Plus it’s safe for those with allergies.

Smoothies are pretty popular these days. For good reason. You can add a lot of healthy stuff to them without kids complaining.

Smoothies are tough with allergies.

But when you have a lot of allergies the list of typical smoothie ingredients dwindles quickly.

I had to get creative to make smoothies for my youngest two. No dairy or dairy substitutes. No avacodo, banana, nuts or seeds. No eggs. Not too many options.

Instead of writing off smoothies I used what foods we can eat to create a delicious breakfast beverage that is full of nourishing ingredients.

Secret ingredients.

This squash cherry smoothie contains fruit, vegetables, grassfed collagen (I love this brand) and probiotics (I use Megaspore). I also sometimes add desiccated liver (this is what I use) and broth!

One of the best parts about this smoothie is that you prepare it the night before. In the morning just blend and pour! So simple.

This is a great way to use some of the cherries that we freeze in the summer.

Great for kids and adults.

My four year old LOVES this squash cherry smoothie. And he can be picky! You don’t taste all of the “extra” ingredients. You just taste cherries.

I serve squash cherry smoothie in a cup with a straw for my big kids. For my youngest I put it in a straw sippy cup. Then I can take it with us when we are running errands or driving to and from school. It is a great way to add calories and nutrients for her.

But don’t think this is just for kids. I love squash cherry smoothies for breakfast too! It is so refreshing. Plus it’s great for busy mornings. I always pair it with some kind of starch for balance and to keep my metabolism going. But the smoothie is where I pack the nutrients.

Have you ever put squash in your smoothie?

It adds a natural sweetness and is great for thickness.

Cherry season will be here again before we know it. I’ll be using up last year’s freezer stash by making lots of squash cherry smoothies!

Squash Cherry Smoothie

2016-04-02 14:06:46

Serves 1

A refreshing and allergy friendly smoothie packed with nutrients.

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Ingredients

1 1/2 cups frozen cherries
3/4 cups frozen or cooked squash
2 Tbsp. grassfed collagen
1 - 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
1/4 tsp. unrefined sea salt
1/2 cup water or mild broth

Optional

up to 1 capsule powdered probiotic
1/2 capsule desiccated liver
1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil

Instructions

Place the water, squash, cherries, syrup and salt in a blender.
Add the collagen and any optional ingredients.
Store the blender in the refrigerator over night.
Blend until smooth. Adjust sweetness if necessary.
Serve immediately.

Notes

This makes enough for one adult or two children.
Activated charcoal can be added to the smoothie to settle an allergy flair.
The ingredients can separate if the smoothie sits for too long. Drink immediately after blending or keep in a cup with a lid and shake before serving.

By Mary - justtakeabite.com

Just Take A Bite https://justtakeabite.com/

March 28, 2016

Pistachio Pea Pesto

With the return of spring comes color and new life. Add some of both to your meal with this bright and flavorful pistachio pea pesto.

If there is an easy way to get your kids to eat vegetables it is in a sauce. Put the sauce on pasta or pizza. Instant hit!

This pistachio pea pesto is no exception. Parents love the loads of vegetables and healthy fat from nuts. Kids love the taste and color.

Easy “peasy.”

The really great thing about this pesto is how easy it is to make. Only six ingredients (and the cheese is even optional). Toss them all in the blender and it’s done. No cooking. Just puree and serve. It is easy enough for kids to make themselves!

Mix pistachio pea pesto with your favorite variety of noodles for an easy weeknight meal that can even be made gluten or grain free. Add some extra peas and nuts into the pasta for texture and nutrition. Leftover cooked chicken also makes a great addition for a complete meal.

But the possibilities don’t end there. Make pizza night a little more special with pesto pizza. Make or buy your favorite pizza crust. Top it with pistachio pea pesto and some fresh mozzarella. Bake and serve.

Whether you are vegetarian or just looking to save a little money on your grocery bill either of these would make a great meatless meal.

The possibilities are endless! Head over to Super Healthy Kids where I’m sharing this easy pistachio pea pesto recipe and more fun ways to use it.

Should Kids Eat Sugar?

We don’t do any food coloring.

Simple Treat for Pumpkin Season!

Easy Pumpkin-filled Chocolates!

Looking for a few other fun Halloween treats? Try these!

The Ultimate Energy Drink

What makes it so nutritious?

Not Everyone Is So Lucky…

Managing Food Allergies On the Go

Favorite Allergen Free Snacks for Kids

Kid-Friendly Gluten-Free Muffins

Easy, Egg-Free Muffins

Muffins Kids Can Make

Not sure how to teach your kids to cook? Check out this cooking course! We’ve been using it for years!

Are you in need of a truly allergy-friendly muffin?

Knife skills.

A Safe Sweet.

Looking for more cool summer treats? Try one of these:

Skip the lettuce.

Great for oral sensitivities.

Spruce up your salad.

Ready to add some extra flavor to your fruit salad?

Have you heard of The Cookful?

My mom makes the BEST banana bread in the world. It’s amazing.

Bananas for me?

Are you in the mood for a special treat that is also allergen friendly and low in sugar?

Allergen Friendly.

Want a fun way to celebrate Allergy Awareness Week?

Click here to head over to Super Healthy Kids where I’m sharing this simple recipe.

Smoothies are tough with allergies.

Secret ingredients.

Great for kids and adults.

Have you ever put squash in your smoothie?

Easy “peasy.”

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