Kid-Pleasers

Carrot-Apple-Beet Juice A straightforward favorite, this juice is sweet and tasty. The beet turns the juice a cool purple color that kids love.

Prep: 10 minutes 1 small apple, cored 4 carrots 1/2 medium young beet, cut into wedges (1 cup) Scrub the produce well. Juice the apple first, then alternate juicing the carrots and the beet. Serve chilled or over ice. Makes 1 serving.

Super Green Juice It's hard to get kids to eat spinach and celery, but they won't even notice in this vivid green drink.

Prep: 15 minutes Chill: 30 minutes 1 small handful fresh parsley (about 1/4 cup) 1 cup pineapple chunks 6 cups spinach leaves 1 stalk celery 1 medium orange or tangerine, peeled and seeded Wash veggies. Bunch up the parsley, and push it through the feed tube with the pineapple, spinach, celery, and orange. Cover and chill 30 to 60 minutes or until well chilled. Stir and pour into an ice-filled serving glass. Makes 1 serving.

Veggie Smoothie A vegetable smoothie? It's true. This is a fun way to get growing bodies the nutrition they need.

Prep: 15 minutes 2 cups lightly packed spinach 1 large green apple, cored 1 large banana, peeled, cut into chunks, placed in a food-safe bag, and frozen 1/2 cup milk 1 Tbsp. peanut butter Wash spinach and apple well. Juice the spinach and apple. Pour into a blender. Add frozen banana chunks, milk, and peanut butter. Cover and blend. Serve immediately. Makes 2 servings.

Ginger Ale Adventurous kids will crave this alternative to soda. And so will adults. The combination of parsnips and pears gives it an intriguing and zingy taste.

Prep: 15 minutes 2 medium parsnips 2 medium pears, cored 1-inch thick slice of fresh ginger 16 oz. carbonated water, chilled Juice the parsnips, pears, and ginger. Divide among 4 serving glasses. Add carbonated water. Stir right before serving. Makes 4 to 6 servings.