And what we serve with protein shakes and popcorn to make it a balanced dinner for our kids
When it was just the two of us, we had a couple of Sunday night traditions. First, we’d meal plan and prep for the week.
The second tradition is what this story is all about. On Sunday nights, Shalva and I would make protein shakes and popcorn for movie night. It was easy. It was healthy-ish. It was just cozy.
Fast forward five years and now we’re parents of three children. The weekends are draining and we found ourselves doing movie night every Sunday. Because we all deserve some screen time, right?
So we’d make them dinner like normal. Then we’d cozy up in the basement under blankets and bicker about which movie to watch.
Then it hit us. Remember when we used to make protein shakes and popcorn for movie night? Can we do this with the kids? We’re tired of making proper meals. They’ve earned some screen time. Is this the best idea ever? Could we maybe even turn this into a balanced, healthy meal?
Figuring it all out
First we made a chocolate peanut butter shake which was well received. The problem was that cocoa has caffeine in it and that made bedtime that night a nightmare. But of course, they loved it!
So the following week we made the same shake just with less cocoa powder. They won’t notice, right? Wrong — total revolt. Where’s the chocolate!?
The next one we tried was our cake batter shake. It’s a vanilla shake with oats that, when presented as cake, tastes like it. A huge hit!
The problem was the following week, they remembered having cake. Cake! So they were livid when we told them that that was revisionist history. Plus, if you try to sneak any greens into their liquid cake, the light green hue becomes an obvious non-starter.
So we needed a tasty protein shake without chocolate. Something that was super fun and exciting for them. And we needed something that would also hide greens well. Because even with just a handful of spinach you can deliver a ton of nutrients to your kids.
So we started with the basic protein shake formula that athletes use: Some type of milk, nut butter, protein powder, frozen fruit or vegetables, and ice. With an aim for bright flavor and a clever name, here’s what we came up with.
The Peanut Butter and Jelly Shake
For the frozen fruit, we used mixed berries — raspberries with any other berry like strawberry or blueberry works best. And lots of peanut butter! All together you get a Peanut Butter and Jelly Shake!
Think of a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich in a glass. Who wouldn’t want one of these?
Recipe
- 1 cup (240 ml or 227 grams), milk of choice, unsweetened
- ½ cup (65 grams) frozen blueberries
- ½ cup (65 grams) frozen strawberries
- 1 Tbsp. (20 grams or 18 ml) peanut butter
- 1 scoop (30 grams) protein powder
- 1 handful of greens
We use a “beginner” green like spinach that has a mild flavor and smooth texture no matter what blender you have. And because of all the surrounding ingredients, you can’t taste the greens at all. Nor can you see it! So while we’re one of those families that always tells the truth to our kids, we find no reason to tell them there’s spinach in their PB&J smoothie.
The popcorn and sides
We pop our own popcorn using an air popper. We use olive oil instead of butter and a little bit of popcorn salt. Sometimes we’ll add some nutritional yeast to make it “cheesy.”
We got each kid a special plate with a built-in cup holder. And each kid has their own smoothie cup with a top and straw so spills are never major.
And then we balance it all out with a few foods we’d throw in a school lunch. Maybe some turkey or cheese or sliced veggie. If there’s a leftover that need to go, we’ll add that, too. This way there are options beyond just protein shake and popcorn. But since there are greens hidden in the shake, we still feel good if they don’t eat the broccoli on their plate.
Movie nights will never be the same
We’ve paid the price because now anytime we talk about watching a movie in the basement, they want protein shakes and popcorn.
Still, it’s such a fun tradition. It’s a nice change of pace from eating at the dinner table. It’s easy. And you get the benefit of them mindlessly eating all the other healthy food you served them. After a few bites of popcorn, they don’t even realize they’re gnawing on a carrot stick.
Keep in mind that they’re going to be consuming a lot more liquid than they realize. So be sure to schedule potty breaks!
Add it to your routine!
The ease, simplicity, and sheer fun of making protein shakes and popcorn for movie night is an incredible trick for parents of young children.
Are we encouraging you to feed your children a dinner that someone dieting for a wedding would eat? Yes! But you can add a few other foods to their popcorn plate for a more well-balanced meal. Or don’t; you have every food group covered in that cup.
And are we suggesting plugging your children into a screen on a Sunday night because they were impossible all weekend? Yes! But you’re there with them, all tucked in under blankets, laughing together, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Tell me one pediatrician who would object to a Sunday night tradition where you have a healthy dinner together bonding over a shared experience. I know ours loves it.
So go ahead, blend up some PB&J shakes, pop some popcorn, and enjoy a cozy movie night with the fam. It just might become a weekly tradition!
