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Strawberry Yogurt Smoothies and Pops

For a nutritious and easy after-school snack, serve up a round of these fruity shakes. Customize your smoothies to suit your children's tastes (you can omit the banana, for example, and add blueberries in its place). You can then freeze the smoothie into Popsicles that are fun to make and to eat. KIDS COOKING SKILLS: Use this recipe as an opportunity to teach your children how to slice and puree fruit and how to operate a blender safely. Then use the Strawberry Pops recipe as an opportunity to teach your child how to make molded frozen treats.

Ingredients

1/2 pint strawberries
1 banana

2 8-oz. containers nonfat strawberry yogurt
1 cup lowfat milk

Instructions

Ask your child to wash the fresh strawberries, hull them, and pat them dry. Peel the banana and slice it in half or in quarters, then place all the fruit in an electric blender.
Spoon the yogurt into the blender, then pour in the milk. After sealing the lid, press the puree button and blend until smooth and thoroughly combined, about 1 to 2 minutes.
Pour the shake into four 8-ounce glasses. For a creative presentation, have your child garnish each drink with a fruit kebob (a strawberry and banana slice threaded on a bamboo skewer) and a colorful plastic straw. Makes 32 ounces, or four 8-ounce shakes.
TIP: An adult should always be present when children use a blender. Keep the blender away from water and make sure the lid is tightly shut before pressing the puree button.
To make Frozen Strawberry Pops, pour smoothie mixture into a Popsicle mold or into small paper cups, cover with foil then insert a craft stick.
Carefully pour the Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie mixture into a plastic Popsicle mold. Freeze for 4 to 6 hours. Dip the mold in warm water, then unmold the Popsicles. Makes 6 to 8 Popsicles.