Blueberry Banana Blast Smoothie
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Time to Read: 7 min
Welcome to The Pediatrician Kitchen at Ahimsa
Hi, I’m Dr. Manasa Mantravadi, pediatrician, mom of three, and founder of The Pediatrician Kitchen and Ahimsa. We believe food is medicine, and mealtime is one of the most powerful ways to build lifelong healthy habits without shame, stress, or sugar overload.
Even small swaps like choosing stainless steel dinnerware over plastic can help protect children’s developing systems while making mealtimes more intentional.
This recipe is a fun way to bring nutrition science home and celebrate the launch of the Smurfs movie, with the added bonus of teaching kids how food choices can protect their health and the planet.
About Ahimsa
Founded by a pediatrician and mom of three
Stainless steel is the only kid-friendly material recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics
We are guided by a Scientific Advisory Council comprised of environmental and medical experts, guiding us in creating the safest products, following the latest science and promoting policy to protect human health and our planet
Want to know more? Check out our story and our products.
The Smurf Smoothie Kids Actually Need
In honor of the vibrant, eco-friendly Smurfs, we created the Blueberry Banana Blast Smoothie—a naturally blue, antioxidant-rich treat that feels like a dessert but functions like a wellness booster.
And when served in Ahimsa’s stainless steel cups (designed just for little hands), it stays cooler longer and helps eliminate plastic exposure at the same time.
Unlike the neon drinks and snacks lining store shelves (many with artificial dyes banned in other countries), this smoothie uses only real, whole ingredients. Blue from nature. Power from plants. Perfectly portioned for a Smurf-sized smoothie your little ones will love!
Recipe: Blueberry Banana Blast Smoothie
1-2 minutes
1-2 Minutes
1 smoothie
Drink
Ingredients:
- 1 frozen banana
- ½ cup frozen blueberries
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based)
- 1 tsp chia seeds
- Optional: 1 tsp maple syrup for extra sweetness
Instructions:
- Blend all ingredients until smooth.
- Pour into an Ahimsa Conscious Cup and enjoy right away. You can also freeze into popsicle molds for a fun summer treat.
- For extra flair, top with coconut whip and a sprinkle of blue spirulina.
- Store any leftovers in stainless steel containers with lids to keep the smoothie fresh, cold, and plastic-free. They’re ideal for prepping smoothie pops or packing snacks for later.
Mealtime Essentials
Pediatric Teaching Moment: Food That Fuels Growing Brains
Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins, natural pigments that help fight inflammation and support brain function.
A growing body of research shows these plant compounds can improve memory, focus, and even mood in children.
Pairing blueberries with protein (Greek yogurt) and fiber (chia seeds) slows digestion, stabilizes blood sugar, and keeps kids fuller, longer, perfect for mornings or after-school energy dips.
And when snacks like this are enjoyed in Ahimsa stainless steel snackware, you’re reinforcing healthy choices through both what’s served and how it’s served.
Smurfs x Ahimsa Curriculum: Mealtime as a Teaching Moment
This recipe isn’t just about fun food. t’s part of a bigger mission.
Ahimsa has partnered with the Smurfs to launch a K–2 educational curriculum that turns the cafeteria into a classroom. Now you can bring that same teaching to your family kitchen! You can teach your child:
- Why real food helps their bodies grow strong
- How reusing instead of tossing helps the planet
- That every mealtime is a chance to care for themselves and the Earth
The Smurfs are tiny heroes with a big message: taking care of your body and the planet starts with everyday habits, like what’s on your plate or in your cup.
That’s why this smoothie, served in stainless steel cups or stored in stainless steel containers , aligns so well with our message: healthy choices go hand in hand with sustainable tools.
Try this smoothie together. Talk about where your food comes from. Let your child connect their “Smurf-sized” snack to their superpower: choosing health and kindness.
Culinary Medicine in Action:
Time. Cost. Skill. Solved.
- Time Barrier: Just 5 minutes
- Cost Barrier: Around $1.25 per serving using frozen ingredients
- Skill Barrier: No stove, no mess—just blend and enjoy
Add an extra dose of learning by letting your child pour the smoothie themselves into a stainless steel cup. Simple actions like these foster independence and reduce spills.
Home cooking doesn’t have to mean hours in the kitchen. Just small, consistent moments that build nourishment into your family’s routine.
Final Thoughts
The Smurfs have always stood for health, kindness, and environmental care, so it’s only fitting to celebrate their movie with a smoothie that honors those same values.
This Blueberry Banana Blast Smoothie is fun to make, fun to drink, and full of the kinds of ingredients your child’s body and brain crave. It’s also a perfect way to bring our Smurfs x Ahimsa curriculum into your own kitchen, where the lessons are real, repeatable, and lifelong.
Because even a Smurf-sized smoothie can make a big impact on your child’s health and the world around them.
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
More Mealtime Essentials
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use stainless steel instead of plastic? Is stainless steel better for health?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a report in July 2018 suggesting ways that families can limit exposure to certain chemicals at mealtime, including “the use of alternatives to plastic, such as glass or stainless steel, when possible.” The report explained that “…some additives are put directly in foods, while “indirect” additives may include chemicals from plastic, glues, dyes, paper, cardboard”. Further, “Children are more sensitive to chemical exposures because they eat and drink more, relative to body weight, than adults do, and are still growing and developing.” While stainless steel items meet the recommendation to avoid plastic products in children, Ahimsa® products have the obvious advantage of not breaking like glass.
Is stainless steel better for the environment than plastic?
According to the Steel Recycling Institute, steel can be recycled over and over and over again without losing its integrity and requires less energy to recycle than to make anew. Most plastic unfortunately ends up in landfills and it is estimated to take 700 years to decompose. Our special coloring process that allows Ahimsa® products to be fully metal is environmentally friendly, so it does not produce toxic run-off into the ecosystem.
Will Ahimsa products break or peel?
No. Our steel is durable, so it won’t break or shatter with everyday use, like glass. And it won’t peel, like other colored stainless steel products you’ve seen. We use a special process that allows the colors to naturally occur in the metal.
Which Ahimsa products are best for my little one(s)?
Our products are meant to last, you can use Ahimsa at ages 1, 8 and 18! We thoughtfully design our products to be safe for little ones and our planet while reducing consumption. Once your child outgrows the Starting Solids Set and can use regular cups and utensils, the training cup is the perfect size rinse cup in the bathroom, the infant spoon doubles as a tea stirrer and the bowl is great for snacks or as an additional compartment to our modular divided plate. Our plates are great for any age as they encourage choosing a variety of healthy foods at each meal and help visualize portion sizes easily. It’s the lasting beauty of stainless steel - grows with your child and reduces waste.
