National Children’s Dental Health

As part of celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month, several classrooms at Cowles made and sampled spinach berry smoothies for “Love Your Smile” around Valentine’s Day. Spinach is a low-calorie nutritional powerhouse, loaded with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, antioxidants, fiber, and other nutrients. Try this delicious recipe at home:

Smiling Spinach Berry Smoothie (adapted from Sure Foods Living web site) Makes about 4 child-sized servings

*   1/2 ripe banana

*   a handful of spinach leaves

*   1/2 cup frozen blueberries (red berries can make the smoothie turn an unappetizing brownish color)

*   half cup fat-free vanilla yogurt (can omit or substitute dairy-free for lactose intolerant)

*   1/4 cup orange juice

Wash hands and spinach. Have an adult blend all ingredients. If the smoothie is too runny, add more banana and/or frozen berries or ice. If you are having trouble getting it to blend, you need to add more liquid – just a little at a time.