Winter will be with us for just a bit longer, so why not brighten up these last days before spring with some tasty drinks! While fresh fruits and vegetables are always a great addition to any recipe, these will taste just as good when you use frozen produce. And, if you happen to have children who enjoy mixing “potions” (as mine love to say), the entire family will have a blast creating these magical drinks.

As always, adjust these recipes to work for your family. We love to hear what substitutes you use! Let us know at [email protected].

This Banana-Berry Shake is perfect for your littlest helpers in the kitchen. The ingredients are easy to work with, and it doesn’t take long at all to put together this sweet concoction.

Banana-Berry Shakes – Whole Foods For Kids To Cook, page 8 – Four servings

• 2 ripe bananas
• 1 to 2 cups fresh or frozen berries
• 2 cups milk or rice milk
• 1 cup yogurt, frozen yogurt or frozen rice milk
• 8 ice cubes

Peel bananas and cut into chunks. Combine bananas with berries, milk, yogurt and ice cubes in blender. Place cover on blender and blend until smooth.

Are you craving the fresh tastes that go along with spring and summer produce? This Green Drink fits the bill and has just enough of a sweet taste to balance out the herbs and greens.

Green Drink – Whole Foods For The Whole Family, page 83 – Two servings

• 2 cups pineapple juice
• ½ to 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• ¼ to ½ cup fresh parsley
• ¾ to 1 cup assorted greens (sprouts, lettuce, cabbage, etc.; not too much of any strong tasting one)

Process ingredients in blender until finely chopped. Let stand several minutes. Strain if desired. Serve over ice, garnished with sprig of mint.

Many of us are dreaming of spring, but the reality is that we have a few more cold days and nights on hand. This toasty Hot Cup O’ Carob is just right for sipping while curled up on the couch with warm blankets and a book.

Hot Cup O’ Carob – Whole Foods For The Whole Family, page 84 – Two servings

• 3 tablespoons carob powder
• ½ cup milk (your favorite dairy or plant-based milk)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2/3 cup dry milk powder (your favorite dairy or plant-based milk powder)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Dash of cinnamon
• 2 cups very hot water

Process carob powder and ¼ cup milk in blender. Add remaining milk, honey, dry milk powder, vanilla and cinnamon. Process for 1 minute. Pour in hot water. Process until smooth. Serve immediately.

Fruit Cup Soup isn’t technically a drink, but we couldn’t resist sharing this recipe that is more like a slushie with delicious bites of fruit in each spoonful. Not to worry! You’ll still have plenty of sweetness to slurp up with a straw!

Fruit Cup Soup – Whole Foods From The Whole World, page 49 – Four servings

• 3 tablespoons tapioca
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Salt to taste
• 2 ½ cups water
• 1 6-ounce can frozen pineapple-orange juice concentrate
• 2 peaches, peeled, sliced
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Combine tapioca, sugar and salt in saucepan; mix well. Stir in 1 cup water. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Pour into bowl. Add frozen juice concentrate, stirring until blended. Add 1 ½ cups water; mix well. Chill until serving time. Mixture will thicken slightly. Stir in peaches, raspberries and lemon juice just before serving. May use any flavor of juice as well as any frozen fruit.

Please send your story ideas to Amy at [email protected].

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