We read Meghan three books each night at bedtime. She gets to choose the books, which is limited to three because otherwise we’d be reading to her for hours. She’d happily choose reading over sleeping any day of the week. The girl loves her books.
Here’s a totally honest mommy confession, though. When she reaches for a Dr. Seuss book at bedtime, I cringe a little. Not because I don’t love the sing-songy nonsensical rhymes that are Dr. Seuss books. They’re fun to read and I’m all for the silliness. But. Those suckers are long. Talk about drawing out bedtime with three Dr. Suess books. Holy moly.
The one Dr. Seuss book I don’t mind reading her any time, however, is good old One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. It’s just as long as the others, but the characters and “funny things are everywhere” sentiments are fabulous.
When I told Meghan that Dr. Seuess’s birthday was coming up and asked her if she’d like to have some pink ink like a yink for her snack, her eyes lit up. “Yes! Yes, I do!” she replied.
But first she had to run up to her room and retrieve the beloved story. She was back in a flash and we got started creating some pink ink to drink.
This is essentially strawberry milk. Delicious strawberry milk. I couldn’t have a glass, given that I’ve given up sugar and sweeteners for Lent and all, but I had to have one tiny taste. I can’t just feed my daughter something without tasting it, right? That’s totally not cheating in my book.
My little taste brought me back to my childhood when I’d enjoy Nestle’s strawberry milk. Oh, yum. Except this is without all the refined sugar, artificial flavors, and all that jazz.
So whether you have a little one or not, grab One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish and drink some pink ink. Don’t be afraid to wink while you drink your pink ink like a yink. (Dr. Seuss must have loved his job!)
Pink Ink (Strawberry Milk)
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 large drink 1x
Description
A delicious strawberry milk drink
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (any kind; I used almond milk)
- 1 cup frozen strawberries, thawed
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar or honey (I used agave nectar)
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a blender and blend. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 37g
- Sodium: 522mg
- Fat: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 7g
Meghan also had two orange almond energy balls for her snack, so she only drank half of her pink ink drink. When it came straight out of the blender, it was dark pink, almost purple. I put the portion she didn’t drink in the fridge, and when I took it out later for photographs, it was a much lighter pink. If you’d like your pink ink to be a lighter color to match the pink ink in the book, make this ahead of time.
As a special bonus today, here’s Meghan “reading” part of One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
I was reading this story to my 3 yr old today and he asked for some pink ink. This surprised me because I can not get him to drink smoothies. I remember reading this on your blog and told him I would make some. I used fresh rasperries with a little ice and whole milk. He liked it. Thanks.
You’re welcome! I’m glad you remembered this. 🙂
Hello Maryea!
Thanks for the fun recipe! I can’t wait to try it. I’ve noticed that, in many of your recipes, you use agave nectar. I recently read that agave nectar is as bad for you as high fructose corn syrup. Here is a website I came across recently. http://www.foodrenegade.com/agave-nectar-good-or-bad/
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Maybe you know something on the contrary?
Thanks again!
I have read a lot of different articles on agave nectar from both perspectives. I wholeheartedly disagree that it’s as bad as HFCS. Here is one article dispelling the claims many “traditional food” advocates have made: http://www.rawmazing.com/agave-hero-or-villain/ I also read an extensive article from a woman who investigated the processing of agave because she’d been using in in her company’s products and wanted to make sure she was using a quality product. I can’t find the article now, but it showed me how slanted most of the anti-agave articles are. Agave is painted as a “bad guy” because of its fructose content, yet honey has a fructose level of 50%, as well. I think all sweeteners should be used in moderation. I like agave for its low glycemic index, but still only use it in moderation.
Thank you for this! I will give agave nectar a try.
Love this! I had to laugh, I have the same thoughts when Cat and the Hat or Hop on Pop are thrown on the bed to read. They are LONG! They are such fun books though. I think a sip is required, you want to make sure you’re serving her a yummy shake! I didn’t actually give up anything this Lenten season, unless you count stinky cheeses, alcohol, and my social life for the past 20 weeks! 😉
Good for you on the sugar and sweets 🙂
Love your spirit! Hope you can get a sitter and take Meghan to see the Lorax… We got one and it’ll be Lily’s (3) first movie theater experience. I’m hoping it’s not inappropriate! At least it should go over her head. Wish I had some frozen strawberries, darn! That looks delish! I am very impressed at you blogging prowess with a new baby! Ryan just turned 7 mos and is finally sleeping through the night, well, lately. And you go girl with your running!!
Thank you, Shannon! Meghan hasn’t been to the movies yet; I’m sure she’d love the experience. We’ll have to wait until grandma and grandpa come to town!
Yes! It’s the best having G and G for sure. I loved The Lorax!!!! It was so great. I think Lily liked it too and there were no parts I was worried about.
You definitely should see it in the theater! Especially after reading the book…. It made me cry:)
PS Just have to tell you I make your High Protein Energy Balls all the time. Lily asks me daily “can I have somefing from the freezer?…” and loves them from there. Just brought some to a friends house too. Thanks!
Aaah I love it! 🙂
That is sooo adorable!! You can tell she is into books by the way she is carefully flipping the pages 🙂
I am the WORST teacher in the world!!! I missed his birthday!
I’ll bet your 5th graders didn’t even notice.
This is so great! I loved seeing Meghan reading! We are celebrating Dr. Seuss Day tomorrow as it is quite a big thing at their school. I have a few food items I am going to make Dr. Seuss-style too. I love Dr. Seuss, and now that my kids are older and we don’t read his books much anymore, I am glad we still have one day a year we get to enter his world.
And tasting her drink is totally not cheating, btw. As a mom, it is required! 🙂
I would have loved that as a kid — so cute!
Aw so cute 😀 Love this!
You are such a wonderful mama! 🙂 What lucky kiddos you’ve got! ….That is *so* much fun that you let her drink pink ink and that you shared her reading with us! Tooooooo cute! Side note: She understands that text reads from left to right and other fundamental reading skills! AWESOME! (former Kindergarten teacher in me speaking now…) What a cutie pie!
Thanks Julie!