Shamrock Day

photo by Callie

We've been getting ready for St. Patrick's Day this week.  We bought a potted shamrock at Trader Joe's and so Kate has been calling the holiday "Shamrock Day".

Growing up, the only thing I remember knowing about this holiday was that if I didn't wear green I was sure to get pinched!  Maybe that's why I don't like the color green now. 

It's amazing the things I have learned or maybe been reminded of, while homeschooling Callie.  There really was a St. Patrick.  He was kidnapped from Britain, and was the first person to teach the Irish about Christianity.  My favorite thing we learned about him was that he used the shamrock to help explain the Trinity.

Anyway, we always have a little bit of fun learning about St. Patrick and eating some special foods on this day.  One thing we have enjoyed for the last couple of years is our own version of Shamrock Shakes.  Ours are healthy, but your kids won't know it and we don't have to go to McD's to get them.

Here is the recipe if you are interested:

4 ripe bananas, sliced and frozen (do this the night before or even days)
1/3 c. peanut or almond butter
1 T. flax oil
1 c. milk (can use water or other types of milk--sometimes we use almond milk)
1  handful of fresh spinach (don't let them see you do this) :)
**updated--put the spinach in the blender first, then everthing else
Blend all together in blender until smooth.  We like ours thick, like a Frosty, but you may add more liquid if you want them thinner.  You could also hide other healthy things in here too if you wanted.  Smoothies are great for that.  When it's not St. Patrick's day we add a couple of tablespoons of cocoa to make chocolate shakes.  Don't add the cocoa and the spinach.  It does not look pretty!

Kate has no idea she is eating/drinking spinach and Callie only knows because I got busted last year. 

We have some other things planned to, so hopefully all will go as planned and we can share those pictures later too.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!