Happy Monday! How was your weekend? We had a whirlwind family road trip touring several college campuses, and are headed home today with a lot of information! I’m so grateful we’re working with an amazing college consultant for this process, because holy moly it’s overwhelming! (I’m happy to share her contact info for DFW peeps, just shoot me an email.)Â
My favorite part of this process so far though, has been the extra family time it creates…even if it is being confined in a car! But after a three-day road trip, you know we’re full of junk food and in need of a detox!
One of our goals this year was to be more mindful about what we put in and on our bodies. We started out strong, buying mostly organic, but as the grocery bill escalated, it became increasingly harder to stick with it. Then we discovered Brandless!
It’s a new online grocery store of nonperishable items…most everything is organic with no added-sugar, non-GMO, fair-trade…and get this, it’s all $3!! I’ll let you marinate on that for a second…three dollars!Â
I assumed it was too good to be true and everything would either taste like cardboard, or be in miniature packages. But of the 20+ things we’ve tried so far, it’s all delicious!! And they’re the same size as what you’d find at Whole Foods or any other high-end, healthy grocery store, they just don’t have any fancy art or packaging. We’re already obsessed with the pancake mix, all the cookies, body wash, and agave nectar. Considering the quality of the ingredients, the price is even more unbelievable.
Our other favorite products are the vitamins and supplements (also only $3 for a month supply!). Mr. SP said the melatonin is what dreams are made of #punny, and I’ve found my new secret weapon for getting my family to eat more veggies…the Antioxidant & Greens Supplement. I slip it in their morning or after-school smoothie, and it doesn’t alter the color or flavor, but adds a huge dose of healthy greens (seriously, check out the label to see everything included!).
I’m always looking for new, simple smoothie combinations that my kids will enjoy (that aren’t loaded with sugar!), so I thought I’d share our five favorites!
Very Strawberry Fruit Smoothie
1 c. Strawberries
1/2 Banana
1/2 c. Yogurt (strawberry, vanilla or plain)
6-8 ozs. Apple Juice
 Healthy Sweet Green Smoothie
1 c. Kale
1 c. Spinach
1 c. Pineapple
1/2 Banana
1 T. Brandless Honey
6 ozs. Apple Juice
Splash Milk (coconut, almond or cow’s milk)
Peanut Butter & Jelly Smoothie
1 c. Strawberries
1/2 Banana
2-3 T. Brandless Peanut Butter Powder
1 tsp. Brandless Flax Seed
6-8 ozs. Apple Juice
The Everything Smoothie
1 c. Kale
1 c. Spinach
1 c. Mixed Berries
1 Banana
6-8 ozs. Apple Juice
Brandless Probiotic Supplement
Peaches & Cream Smoothie
1 c. Peaches
1 c. Kale
1 c. Yogurt
1 T. Brandless Honey or Agave
Pinch of Cinnamon
These are all approximate measurements, since usually I’m just grabbing handfuls of what we have. Also, I use frozen fruit whenever possible for a thicker, colder smoothie. And of course, I now add a Brandless Antioxidant & Greens Supplement (and sometimes a Brandless Probiotic Supplement) to all of them!
The Peaches and Cream (yes, it’s peaches…even though it’s green!) is the most requested in our house…so sweet and creamy, without even a hint of veggie taste! We made a little video to show you how I add the secret weapon!
I am so excited to have discovered Brandless, and can’t wait to try more products…like the gluten-free Mac & Cheese (two for $3!) and the cleaning products (all non-GMO!). And on top of taking better care of yourself, you’re helping to do good for others, because Brandless donates a meal to Feeding America every time you check out. Have you tried them yet? What smoothie recipes are your family favorites?
*This post is created in collaboration with Brandless, but all ideas, opinions, and ninja mom skills are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors!*
I love smoothies in the morning, especially during the warmer weather. All the better that it’s going to be spring soon (hurry up!). 🙂 The sweet green smoothie is my favourite out of all of these! 😀
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Wow, you guys are brave w/the kale & the spinach too. Gotta stick w/just spinach in my house but both greens (it’s the chlorophyll that gives us energy!) are real brain foods! I pass them out and say “here, brain food!”. Ground flax in every smoothie too.
Can’t wait to check the Brandless site out, thanks!
Just like to say this (from Sunday’s post), I am so very proud of the teens I work with. They are smart, hardworking, articulate, kind and respectful. Fun and funny too! Most teens are!
Cassie you’re a peach! Thanks for sharing these healthy tips. The PB & J and strawberry smoothies look yummy. Mondays are difficult and you make them fun. I look forward to reading your blog–it adds sunshine to my days. And when you smile through your personal challenges and difficulties–well that’s what makes you EXTRA special. All of us are blessed to know you via hi Sugarplum!
You just made my whole week! thank you for such a lovely comment! xo
Well, these sound YUMMY!!!! I need to be better at sneaking additional green’s into my little man’s diet. Thanks for the ideas!
Thanks so much for sharing!! Can’t wait to try them all! I’ve heard of Brandless but now I want to order some things…Happy they pay it forward with meals. Love following you and have a fantastic day 😎
Thanks so much, Betsy!! I think you’ll be really impressed with their quality and taste!
Love, love, love Brandless!!! You will love the bathroom and tile cleaner….my tub looks SO clean! And the Maple Cream cookies are delicious! Great idea about the smoothies and vitiams. I also take the “greens” vitiams and feel so much better.
I can’t wait to make my way through their product lineup!!
Great smoothie ideas and need those Brandless greens to get in for my kids!! I have a junior also and am super curious about the consultant you are using!! I didn’t even know this service/profession existed! Have I been under a rock?! What all does she help you with??
She helps with everything, and takes all the stress off of me!! I felt like I was constantly missing something or dropping the ball…she handles it all, and communicates with him (so no nagging and bickering from me!!) Here’s her website to give you some insight: http://www.oneupcollege.com
Aren’t college tours fun but overwhelming, especially when you see a few at a time. We are on the other end, waiting for acceptance letters!!
That’s so exciting!!!! I hope she gets her first choice! xo
Cassie, thank you for sharing Brandless. I had not heard of it before. After my daughter suffered a concussion in the fall which took her 5 months of recovery – I have been moving to more paleo meals and trying to buy organic. But, just like you, our grocery bill was huge! This will make a difference. The green supplement they are out of – just FYI. And the recipes look delicious! We’ve fallen off the smoothie thing but will be back on with these!
Thanks again from a fellow Texan.
Much love to you and your daughter!! I’m so happy I found this resource for affordable, organic food, too!
Yum! Saving this for later. I’m always looking for new smoothie recipes that don’t taste yucky.
Can you tell us what a college consultant actually does? We also have a high school junior and are starting to visit colleges and it is confusing….and overwhelming…and feels never ending…
She’s taken so much of the stress out for me…I don’t always feel like I’m dropping the ball on something! It’s nice to know someone experienced has his back! Here’s her website, should give you some insight: http://www.oneupcollege.com
Really interested in checking out Brandless! I’ve heard good things, and definitely need to look into it further.
Do you have any banana substitutes for the smoothies? I fully admit that I’m weird, but I can’t stand bananas (I can still taste them even in smoothies!), and feel like I often avoid making smoothies since they’re such a common ingredient. If you have any good substitutes I’d love to hear more!!