In the Kitchen : A Smoothie to Start

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Since daylight savings began, three of my four kids get up early every. single. day. I mean 5 – 5:15 early!

And I am guessing many of you can relate.

5:30 or even 6 is just too early for anyone to be sitting down and eating a great big warm breakfast and even if they did, they’d be hungry again by 8! But those tummies need something while they wait for their sister (bless that little sleepy head!) to wake up at 6:30 or 7, and so, a change in rhythm was called for. And this particular change is what we are fondly calling, smoothie to start!‘.

We have been starting each day with a juice or smoothie- right now the favourite is a combination of frozen banana, strawberries, cos lettuce, parsley and coconut water (even the one-year-old loves it!) and then after the morning chores have been done (feeding the chickens, watering the garden, getting dressed, making beds), then we all gather around the table for a proper warm breakfast.

It’s a tiny part of our day, but it’s all about making little tweaks and changes to your rhythm when something just isn’t working. Since starting I’ve actually noticed they’re all eating more of their breakfast- they’re truly ready and hungry by 7:30 and of course, I’m a happy Mama because they’re getting their greens with no complaints.

Have you changed something about your family rhythm since the seasons have shifted? We’d love to hear and learn from your experience.

How do you tweak and change aspects of your day to help things move and flow?

Meagan Wilson is a parent educator and author of the now-retired seasonal series of Whole Family Rhythms. After finishing a BA, she went on to complete her Foundations in Steiner Education and Anthroposophy at Sydney Steiner College, as well as her Waldorf Early Childhood Certification at the Rudolf Steiner Centre in Toronto. She has received her certification as a Simplicity Parenting Family Life Coach and has supported hundreds of parents to create a strong family rhythm unique to their own values and culture. She has four young children. Meagan provides resources, support and information to parents who are looking for a bridge to cross between their unique family life and their children’s (often but not always) Waldorf schools.

7 Comments

  1. Erin D on June 16, 2016 at 1:07 pm

    We start with a smoothie too (although I burned out the motor on my blender a couple of days ago and need to replace it!) It sets us all up right and gives me a little breathing room while I finish my coffee……usually. 🙂

    Our favorites are spinach/orange juice/strawberry and kale/almond milk/blueberry. I like pineapple and grapefruit, too, but the kids didn’t care for it.

    • Meagan on August 21, 2016 at 11:51 am

      yum! Sorry for late reply! I am just finding the comments now! Silly me! Your smoothies sound yum. Do you put whole oranges in or just orange juice? Is it pulpy? X m.

  2. Lisa Frederiksen on March 28, 2018 at 7:47 am

    This is a lovely blog post! Very loving and sweet.

    • Meagan on April 16, 2018 at 11:54 am

      Thanks Lisa!

  3. Erin on March 28, 2018 at 3:24 pm

    We usually do a smoothie as afternoon snack after waking up from nap. My son is eager to get outside and play or visit a friend and doesn’t seem interested in sitting and chewing, so it works well then. I also try to get in as many greens as I can!

    • Meagan on April 16, 2018 at 11:54 am

      That’s a great suggestion. Thanks for sharing Erin.

  4. Emily on August 6, 2018 at 12:12 pm

    We use the the leftover smoothies from morning and freeze them in resealable freezie bags than eat them for our afternoon snack after nap. Another dose of greens in the afternoon and perfect on a hot day :0)

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