When I was a child, my mother was the Queen of Smoothies. Well, OK, maybe just the Queen of Banana Smoothies!

Long before smoothies were so cool, she would whip up her banana concoction whenever I was hankering for something sweet. Come to think of it, she might also be the High Priestess of Stealth Nutrition because she managed to work in a serving of low-fat dairy AND a fruit, and convince me that it was a treat.  Maybe that’s where my dietitian tendencies come from!

Anyway, I just made my twist on my mom’s simple recipe: the chocolate banana smoothie. It’s delicious, filling, offers a fix for your chocolate craving, and cools you off, to boot. Moms, and moms-to- be, this smoothie is loaded with calcium, fluid, fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals - and it’s minus the guilt.

Here’s how to make it. Place 1 cup low-fat or fat-free milk, 1 medium banana, 1 or 2 ice cubes, and a “squeeze” of fat-free chocolate syrup in a blender or food processor and blend well. Drink up immediately, and enjoy thoroughly!

Have you seen my other blog at USATODAY.com?  It features tips for feeding your family healthy foods, and offers a weekly recipe that I prepare with my children as part of Cooking With My Kids.  This week’s recipe is Dilled White Bean and Grape Tomato Salad.