My interview with Danielle Jonas about Orgain Kids Shakes

Making fall schedules easier with protein shakes made for kids!

Fall is typically when schedules get a huge change. School is back, sports are starting, homework is piling up, and everyone needs to be somewhere different at the same time.

That is exactly the kind of routine Danielle Jonas is navigating right now. The mom, entrepreneur, and longtime family lifestyle voice is raising two daughters, Alena and Valentina, with husband Kevin Jonas. Between school, sports, activities, and travel, their schedule can get busy quickly. Jonas recently teamed up with Orgain to talk about how she keeps her family fueled when life gets especially hectic.

A little bit about the shakes

Orgain has built its brand around convenient nutrition products, including protein powders, ready-to-drink shakes, bars, and options made specifically for kids.

Orgain Kids Shakes are designed as an easy, grab-and-go option for busy families. They include protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and come in kid-friendly flavors like chocolate and vanilla.

For Jonas, the partnership felt especially natural because Orgain was already something she used with her family long before working with the brand.

“Orgain has always been something that I would run to even years ago,” she told me. “That’s why this was so easy to partner with them, because I was already using it.”

My interview with Danielle Jonas

I spoke with Jonas about what fall looks like in their house, how she handles feeding picky kids, what keeps everyone organized, and why Orgain Kids Shakes have become part of their routine.

How does your family’s routine change once fall and back-to-school season begin?

Danielle Jonas: It becomes kind of nonstop because they’re doing new sports and they have their foot in everything right now.

It’s been interesting with the schedule and running around and getting used to where somebody has to be. Staying organized is a lot, plus all the sports after school, homework, and everything in and out.

What helps you keep everyone organized?

Jonas: Probably just having a calendar, scheduling it out, and looking at who has to be where. Orgain has always been something that I would run to even years ago. That’s why this was so easy to partner with them, because I was already using it.

For my little one, we could run out and I could grab the shake, and I knew she had the protein and the fiber in it. Then we could come home and eat. It kind of goes along with the craziness of how life gets.

Do you prefer the ready-to-drink shakes or mixing something yourself?

Jonas: She loves it really cold, so I’ll put it in the refrigerator so it’s already cold. I take it out and put it in her to-go cup, and then I add more ice because she likes it really cold. The premix is the best way for her because it’s already cold, and then I can make it even colder.

As a parent, what health and wellness habits do you especially want your daughters to learn?

Jonas: Probably eating healthy at a young age and teaching them how to like those kinds of foods. I’ve always been a huge person who loves to work out and take care of my body. Growing up, I kind of didn’t see that a lot.

I’ve heard them say different things that have shocked me just from doing it and not even talking about it. They’re like, “When I get older, I’m going to work out with you.” Them seeing me take care of myself in that way, I think it’s going to help them do the same thing at an even younger age than I was when I started.

Do your daughters ever reach for the Orgain shakes on their own?

Jonas: Yes. She actually calls it “monkey milk” because of the little monkey on it. She knows that she’s going to get some kind of chocolate flavor, so yes, she does grab it.

Which flavor is the favorite in your house?

Jonas: She has loved the chocolate. I do too.

How do you approach nutrition when your kids are picky eaters?

Jonas: I think it’s all over the place just because they’re so picky. It’s tough to balance it totally. I try, but it’s tough. That’s why I always go back to the Orgain shake because I just feel like they’re getting what they need.

If they’re not getting it on the plate, it just makes me feel better.

What sports and activities are your daughters into right now?

Jonas: My oldest is working on field hockey, and she actually has a huge passion for golf.

My younger one has her feet in everything right now. I think she’s trying to figure out what she likes. She’s doing tennis, flag football, drums, and she’s also going to try racing.

Do you usually give them the shakes before or after sports and activities?

Jonas: Typically I do it before. I feel like their bellies are a little full, they feel better, and I feel like it gives them what they need. Then we’ll have something even after.

Do you bring Orgain with you when the family travels?

Jonas: Definitely. When we’re on the road with Kevin, we always have a little suitcase of snacks and what they like.

Especially with the Orgain, I just know they’re getting something that’s good for them. I like to have it just in case I can’t find it in the city that we’re in or whatever it is. We’ll just have it on hand.

Have your daughters gotten more comfortable with travel over the years?

Jonas: Yes and no. My oldest needs to know beforehand, like a day beforehand, what’s going to go on the next day because it just makes her feel better.

Even with traveling, we can tell her that. She likes to be in control of packing now. To a certain point, they do go with the flow for sure.

Was there ever a point when traveling and being around shows became overwhelming for them?

Jonas: There was a time when they didn’t want to go to the shows and stuff. It was overwhelming. We were basically like, “Okay, then we’re done right now, and when you’re ready to do it again, you’re going to let us know.”

It was maybe a month, and then they were fine. I feel like because we gave them the choice to say, “No, we’re not okay with this right now,” and we were fine with them not being okay with it, they kind of let it go pretty fast.

If you could teach your daughters one thing about health and wellness as they get older, what would it be?

Jonas: It’s so hard to say just one thing. I feel like food is a big thing, but then also moving your body is a big thing, mentally too.

Getting the right nutrients, picking the right things, having the protein and the minerals and the fiber — I feel like those two go hand in hand.

Finding balance in a busy season

Balance is my biggest takeaway from my conversation with Danielle. Wellness in a busy family does not always look perfectly planned. Sometimes it looks like keeping a calendar, having a cold chocolate shake ready before practice, letting kids try different activities until something sticks, and doing the best you can when dinner does not exactly go according to plan.