Milk Free Fruit Smoothies

My daughter Larkin has many food allergies, including milk and egg allergies. This excludes a large class of cold summer treats. Although we've tried numerous popsicles and frozen fruit flavored treats, most are loaded with sugar and little nutrional value. Sugar free is an option, but these varieties tend to be higher in price than their sugar-loaded counterparts.

Further frustrated by the "allergy friendly" choices of sorbets and ice creams that included peanut allergy warnings, I took matters into my own hands and created these milk, egg, peanut, soy and wheat free smoothies.

Triple Berry Smoothie

The main ingredient in each of these smoothies is frozen fruit. Frozen fruit is versatile, more durable than it's fresh counterpart, and often cheaper than buying individual fresh fruits.

For this first smoothie, I use a mixed berry blend of frozen fruit with strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. I use approximately four (4) cups of frozen fruit. I do not thaw the fruit, although some chopping may be necessary for larger pieces.

The second ingredient is fruit juice. For the mixed berry smoothies, I have tried strawberry juice, purple and white grape juice. My preferance is the white grape juice. Do not use straight concentrate, however, or the flavor will be overpowering. I use about one (1) cup of fruit juice.

The third ingredient is a staple of my daughter's diet, rice milk. This distant relative to soy milk is both milk and soy free. It is also very low fat. We use a fortified variety, which includes vitamins D and calcium. I use a half cup of rice milk for these smoothies, but soy or cow's milk could easily be substituted for those who are not allergic to it.

Add all of these ingredients to the blender and mix until smooth. If you prefer, add sugar to the desired sweetness. Serve immediately, or freeze and serve as a sorbet.

Tropical Blend Smoothie

The tropical blend smoothie is the favorite at my house. This smoothie starts out with a tropical blend of frozen fruit that includes strawberries, mango, and pineapple. The brand I use comes in large chunks, so I chop it up, still frozen, before putting it into the blender. Use approximately four cups.

For fruit juice, I use a tropical blend, not from concentrate, juice. One cup works well. I also add one whole banana and a half a cup of rice milk. For this smoothie, the banana adds an element of creaminess, and thickens the smoothie. Blend all ingredients until smooth.

As with the mixed berry smoothie, this can be served immediately, or frozen and served as a sorbet.

The tropical blend smoothie also has a bonus element for adults. With a fewsloshes of coconut rum, you have a milk free, frozen fruity drink that can transport you to Hawai with one sip.

If your milk allergic little one is feeling left out at ice cream time, whip up one of these smoothies and he or she won't feel so left out. Freeze as fruit pops. Serve in a glass with a spoon, or in a bowl as sorbet. Any way you dish it up, these smoothies will be a big hit!