Nutritious and Delicious Chocolate Banana Smoothie

Creative title, don't you think?  Ha.  Anyway...
I'm the only normal member of my family who LOVES vegetables.  I could have a plate full of veggies for dinner every night and be perfectly happy.  Billy and the kids, not so much.  They do like some veggies - in small quantities.  But if I never prepared another vegetable side dish as long as they lived, they wouldn't be sad.
So I have to get creative when trying to get my kids to even get a portion of their required daily servings of veggies.  Smoothies have been one way I've been able to do this.  Vanessa is the one who first told me she put veggies in her kids' smoothies.  I was skeptical at first, but I decided to give it a whirl.  Some things work, some don't.  Like don't try spinich, right Vanessa?  Peas, however, do SO well in a smoothie.  They have the right texture and a mild enough taste that won't over power the other flavors.  So, before you think I'm nuts, try this recipie I created.  You will never even know it has peas in it.  I promise!

Cocolate Banana Smoothie

1 package chocolate flavored Carnation Instant Breakfast mix
1 1/2 - 2 frozen* bananas (depending on your taste)
3/4 - 1 cup milk, until desired consistency  (I use skim)
1/2 cup green peas

Blend all ingredients until smooth.

I actually divide this in half for Tyler and Allison.  Give them a handful of pretzels to go along with it, and it's the perfect mid-afternoon snack (or breakfast-on-the-go even!).
The first time Tyler and Allison had it, they slurped it down in like 5 minutes.  Tyler even went out of his way to tell me, "That smoothie was REALLY good!"  And when I asked Allison how delicious it was, she gave it a 10!  And this is coming from two kids who really dislike peas!  Like I said, you won't even know they're in there!

*I use frozen bananas because it gives the smoothie just the right consistency and makes it cold without having to use ice. 
If you don't keep frozen bananas on hand, here's a little tip.  Everytime I buy bananas, I always seem to have one or two left over that start to get spotted and no one will eat.  So option #1 is to make banana bread.  If we're not in a banana bread kind of mood, then option #2 is to peel them, put them in a Zip-loc bag, and stick 'em in the freezer.  Then I always have frozen bananas just waiting to be a part of my next smoothie (and the bananas are much sweeter that way too). 

By the way, has anyone purchased Jessica Seinfeld's book, Deceptively Delicious?  If so, do you like it?  It's actually on sale (45% off) at barnesandnoble.com for $7.12 (and it's a hardcover)!  So I'm ordering mine today!  Anyone want to purchase it with me?  Orders over $25 get free shipping!

Didn't think I could possibly make this post any longer???  Well, think again!  :)
Here's some banana humor for ya...compliments of our very own Tyler Man!
Tyler (when he sees that I'm chewing something):  I want a bite!
Tyler again (when he discovers it's a banana):  Oh nevermind, I don't like bananas.  I'm not a monkey.
I wasn't aware that was a prerequisite!