Ever since the advent of the NutriBullet and Vitamix we’ve all been going silly for smoothies. But if you haven’t got the latest kitchen gadgetry, you can still whizz up a storm for a nutrient-packed power punch. A basic liquidiser or humble hand blender will do the same job as some of the more expensive appliances on the market!

Lately, the smoothie has taken a new turn… Your breakfast blend just got slightly thicker, so you can serve it in a bowl! As the children sit down to summer holiday breakfasts, wave bye-bye to sugar-laden cereal and say hello to the summer smoothie bowl. One of the great things about the thicker, creamier-textured smoothie bowl is the fun you can have with toppings. Kids love sprinkles and toppings, so let them create their own from a selection of healthy choices. Olivia and I love using fresh or dried fruit, seeds, nuts and coconut chips. For a bigger boost of Va Va Voom, we often add some Frog Hollow energy bites to the mixture.

Here’s a recipe for you to try.

Summer Love Smoothie Bowl

• 1 small pot of coconut yogurt
• A handful of your favourite summer fruits, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc
• 2 medjool dates – pitted

Toppings:

• Desiccated coconut
• Kiwi fruit
• Blackberries
• Coco-currant energy bites
• Strawberries

Method:

1. Puree the fruits with the yoghurt and dates and pour into a bowl.
2. Decorate the top with sliced fruits, coconut and a swirl of yogurt and the energy bites.

This summer smoothie bowl makes a fabulous start to the day, or a super sweet treat to replace ice cream and other sugar-laden desserts and snacks.

Why not have a smoothie bowl decorating competition in your house? Such fun! Upload your images to Instagram and add the hashtag #froghollowsummerlove

Buy your energy bites HERE.

Hurrah, the sun is shining again! That can mean only one thing it’s time to pack a picnic and head into the great outdoors. But if you’re going to be out all day the owners of those tiny tummies will need nourishment to keep them on the go.

With that in mind, we asked our good friend Karen Lee at The Sensitive Foodie Kitchen, for some ideas and healthy alternatives to a cool bag laden with carbs or stuffed full of sugary snacks.

Here are Karen’s top tips for healthy picnic eats

• Take crunchy snacks like carrots, celery, cauliflower chunks or breadsticks. Stack them in a lightweight pot where they will stay fresh longer, without going mushy or getting bruised. Grapes are always a good option too, but avoid strawberries (unless you can buy some wherever you are going).

• Hummus, pea and mint dip (find the recipe here) or walnut and lentil pate (find the recipe here) all travel well in small pots and are easy to spread on rice and corn cakes.

• Take bite sized food like sweet potato falafels (find the recipe here) or farinata (find the recipe here) cut into chunks.

• For sensational sweet snacks, take cakes that travel well like banana and blueberry muffins or chewy tropical squares, or Frog Hollow energy bites of course!

• When my kids were younger, I used to take a selection of the above and let them dive in and create their own smorgasbord of picnic food – they still like to make them now when they’re in their late teens!

• Take bottled water to keep you well hydrated if it’s hot.

• If you do get pulled in to buying junk snacks look for baked crisps rather than fried. Fruit lollies or sorbet are a healthier option than ice cream.

For the ultimate portable power packed snack order a Pick & Mix Jar of Frog Hollow Energy Bites HERE.

Disclaimer:  The sun was shining when I wrote this blog post… I hope it still is when you read it!