I love to play with color in the foods I make because I think it's important my littles taste all the colors of the rainbow. So when coming up with fun twists on our everyday foods, I look for ways to incorporate the holiday / season's into their lunches and snacks to make something new and exciting.  I tend to do this kind of thing a lot because I find that in addition to being fun for my little ones, it also gets them excited about eating what I make... especially when it comes to spinach. Let's admit it, sometimes your kids don't want to eat spinach... or maybe your kids DO like to eat spinach and mine are the anomalies! If your kids are anything like mine, the idea of eating spinach salads or sautéed spinach grosses them out. Something about the color and texture that their little palates and fingers are just opposed to. But... when you "sneak" those little powerful leaves into their favorite snacks, they don't even know they're there!

Today I'm sharing 2 simple snacks to "sneak" those spinach greens in. Trust me, they won't know they're eating spinach. Did I mention these snacks are naturally green? No food dye's here! Perfect for serving up on, or around, Saint Patrick's Day.

The greens go down easy in this creamy smoothie and quessidilla combo, served together they pack a 1-2 punch your little leprechauns are sure to love! 

Keep scrolling for the recipes!

"sneaky" greens: shamrock shake

ingredients

• 1 cup spinach
• 1 frozen banana*
• 1/2 cup almond  milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 apple (skin off)
• 1 tsp agave nectar
• a few mint leaves 
• handful of ice cubes

*Tip: the riper the banana the better! I always slice up really ripe bananas and store them individually in my freezer for shakes (so good). Next time your bananas get a little too ripe to enjoy, slice those puppies up and throw them in the freezer. It will make your next smoothie delicious! 

make it

1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend on high until smooth and creamy.
2. Voila! A shamrock shake fit for your littlest leprechauns + you!

"sneaky" greens: shamrock quessidilla

ingredients / what you'll need

• spinach tortillas (I used Mission, but there are a ton of brands out there)
• several slices of cheese (we only use Tillamook in this house!)
• several slices of turkey (or your favorite protein)
• shamrock cookie cutter

make it

1.  Fold tortilla in half, alternating slices of cheese and turkey between the tortilla. 

2.  Fry in a small amount of olive oil until cooked through and lightly toasted in a frying pan. OR place in a microwave for 30 seconds, increasing time until desired gooeyness.

3.  Place cooked quessidilla on a cutting board and using your sharmrock cookie cutter cut out 1-2 mini shamrock quesadillas, depending on your cookie cutter size. 

4.  Voila! Serve this lunch time treat with the shamrock smoothie and you've got yourself a St Patty's day lunchtime win!

It IS easy being green! St Patty’s Day lunch for the win!

How do you like to "sneak" in your greens?

Xo, Kassy