Strawberry Finger Millet Smoothie

EVENT:BLOGGING MARATHON #88

THEME: KID’S DELIGHT – HEALTHY DRINKS – WEEK 3 DAY 1

RECIPE: STRAWBERRY FINGER MILLET SMOOTHIE

Strawberry Finger Millet Smoothie

Get kids to enjoy the health benefits of finger millet (ragi) in the form of a tasty, creamy Strawberry Finger Millet Smoothie. Add roasted finger millet to the smoothie along with fresh strawberries, honey or maple syrup and milk.

 

Blogging Marathon

For the next 3 days I will be preparing healthy drinks for kids. Yes, I know I don’t have kids at home, mine are all grown up. Usually its this fact that prevents me from taking part in the monthly Kid’s Delight theme that is organized by Srivalli.

However, for the month of May, I participated in this event. The good part is that fellow members who host this event can decide on the theme. I will be hosting the kid’s delight healthy drinks from 16th May to 16th June.

Hosting Healthy Drinks for Kids

There is a specific reason why I chose healthy drinks. When we have so many options of serving healthy home made drinks, I’m really disappointed that many mums find it easier to buy ready made juices, flavored milks and the latest craze smoothies for their kids. The main ingredient in all these drinks is sugar, which is so bad for the kids. Its causing early diabetes and obesity in our young kids. Kids suffer from allergies, coughs and sometimes even asthma because of all the additives and colors that are added to the drinks.  How come home made pomegranate juice is never bright red in colour but ready made ones are? I’m really hoping that mums change their outlook towards all these harmful ingredients that are packed in small packets.

For the next 3 days I will be preparing healthy smoothies which you can serve your kids without any guilt as no artificial colors, refined sugar and additives are added.

Strawberry Finger Millet Smoothie

Today’s recipe is a healthy strawberry finger millet smoothie. Finger millet is ragi, nachni, wimbi. Its a tummy filler and a great way to serve breakfast to your fussy kids who hate to eat anything in the morning. My neighbour’s kid hates to eat anything before he goes to school but loves to drink flavored milk. So once I sent this smoothie for him. He thoroughly enjoyed it and  went to school with a full tummy. Its a great ‘pick me up’ sort of smoothies when kids are recovering from an illness. I cooked the ragi at night in some water, left it in the fridge and next morning it was so easy to whip up the smoothie.

Update:

Nowadays I get ready made roasted finger millet in the supermarket. I find its a blessing as I’m able to add it to my smoothies without cooking it. If you don’t get ready made roasted finger millet flour then roast it in a wide pan over low heat till you get an aroma. Be careful not to burn the flour. Don’t want to roast the flour then  as I mentioned above, prepare the millet flour at night and store it in the fridge. Next day whizz everything together. Its a healthy smoothie for adults too.

 

Why your kid should have ragi/nachni/finger millet/wimbi:

• Its rich in calcium
• Low glycemic index means that your child will fill full for a longer period of time
• Its an excellent source iron, there helps to fight anemia
• It has  tryphophan  which acts as a relaxant. Good for hyperactive kids.
• A good source of protein
• Its high in dietary fiber which helps to prevent constipation

 

Why your kid should not have refined sugar:

• Causes tooth decay
• Its has no nutritional value but adds calories
• Its not good for the liver
• high consumption can lead to diabetes
• sugar can be additive
• sugar causes obesity

Smoothie Recipes

• My collection of smoothie recipes are on my Instagram. Please check out the variety of smoothies, saved as Smoothies.
• Mango Yogurt Smoothie
• Banana Peanut Butter and Oats Smoothie
• Strawberry Finger Millet Smoothie
• Carrot Cake Smoothie

Ingredients Required For Strawberry Finger Millet Smoothie:

• Fresh Strawberries – washed and hulled. Can use frozen strawberries.
• Finger Millet Flour – also known as nachni, ragi or wimbi. If you get ready roasted finger millet flour then there is no need to cook it. If you don’t mix the flour with water and cook, stirring it all the time over low heat till it thickens. Allow it to cool down before using. To cook about 2-3 tbsp of finger millet flour you will need about half cup water.
• Sweetener – can use honey, maple syrup, jaggery, coconut sugar.
• Milk – dairy, nut or any that your child drinks.
• Cardamom Powder – optional for flavoring or use vanilla extract.

 

 

 

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A little request:

If you do try this recipe then please either

• add a comment below,
• send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
•  tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
• or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962

 

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