With school well under way, it’s a daily task to keep my daughter’s lunches healthy while being exciting and delicious enough for her to want to eat. When I was contacted by City Of Hope to write a healthy back to school recipe for their Superfoods Initiative I immediately thought of a simple, colorful, nutritious blueberry and pomegranate smoothie. Smoothies are very enticing for kids and the best part about packing a smoothie for your children’s school lunch is that you can make it the night before, store it in a freezable container, pack it the next day, and once it’s time to eat lunch the smoothie has thawed into a cold delicious treat.

City of Hope is a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening diseases. Everyday they pursue new and better  ways to improve the lives of millions around the world and one way they are accomplishing that is through spreading the word about healthy eating. Researchers at City of Hope have found five foods that fight cancer: pomegranates, mushrooms, blueberries, grapes, and cinnamon. Join City Of Hope’s Superfoods Innititave on Facebook to learn more and find many healthy recipes each week.

Blueberry & Pomegranate Smoothie makes 1 cup

• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1/2 cup fat-free or 2% Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup pomegranate juice
• 1 tsp honey

1.Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on medium until mixed and smooth. If serving immediately, pour into a cup and serve.

2.If packing the smoothie for a school lunch: Pour into a freezable cup with a lid. A BPA free cup is preferred.

3. Place in the freezer and freeze overnight.

4. Place the frozen smoothie in a lunch box and by the time your child is ready for lunch the smoothie will be thawed and perfectly cold and delicious.