Are you looking for interesting ways to stay hydrated and refreshed this summer?
You and your family can satisfy a sweet craving and do something healthy at the same time. Here are some easy-to-make snacks to help you stay cool even though it’s hot outside.
To get started, you will need a few basic kitchen items and some fresh, ripe produce. Each of these recipes can be made using either standard or interesting shaped ice cube trays or popsicle molds. Popsicle molds and cute ice cube trays make for fun, healthy snacks that even kids will love.
I recommend that you use an immersion blender instead of a regular blender. You will be able to cream the ingredients without having to add much water to get the blades to turn. The less water you use, the more creamy texture the finished snacks will have, and on the contrary, the more liquid you use, the more ice crystals will form.
The following recipes are made with all natural, wholesome ingredients, with no additives or sweeteners. They are suitable for a vegan, vegetarian or raw food diet; completely non-dairy and delicious!
Instead of the typical peach cobbler served with ice cream that is loaded with calories and added sugar, try this delicious, creamy, non-dairy option.
PEACHES ‘N CREAM
5 large, ripe, sliced, pitted peaches
2 tablespoons melted coconut butter
Add peaches to a small bowl and mix with an immersion blender. I suggest using very ripe peaches so they will be juicy, soft, and easy to blend. If you have to add water to this recipe, do so sparingly. Once the peaches are liquefied, blend in the melted coconut butter to thicken the mix. Scoop into freezer trays and freeze until almost solid.
If you are using popsicle molds, remember to insert the sticks before you freeze them!
CHUNKY BANANA PUDDING
3 large, ripe bananas
2 tablespoons raw, chopped walnuts
Place peeled bananas into a small bowl. Using the immersion blender, work it until you have a creamy mix. If you have to add water to this recipe, do so sparingly. After the bananas are creamed, stir in the walnuts. Scoop into freezer trays and freeze until almost solid.
If you are using popsicle molds, remember to insert the sticks before you freeze them!
ORANGE KIWI BITES
2 cups of fresh squeezed orange juice
1 tsp. alcohol-free vanilla flavoring
2 kiwis, peeled and sliced into thin, small pieces
Add orange juice to something that has a spout, such as a blender carafe, pitcher or large measuring cup and stir in the vanilla. Pour the juice into freezer molds, but only fill them up part way. Add kiwi to each compartment, and top off with more juice if desired. Freeze until almost solid.
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN TO GET CREATIVE!
You can make striped popsicles by using all of these recipes mixed together in the same molds. Simply fill your popsicle mold 1/3 of the way with Peaches ‘n Cream and let it freeze. Then fill the same trays part way with the Chunky Banana Pudding recipe and freeze them again. Top it off with the Orange Kiwi Bites, insert popsicle sticks and let it freeze again.
The finished product will be beautiful, colorful, festive summer treats!
All fresh fruits are excellent sources of electrolytes, including the naturally occurring minerals sodium and potassium, which play a key role in keeping the body tissues hydrated. Instead of reaching for the junk food this summer, pick up some fresh produce, whiz it up in your blender and pop it in the freezer. You will have healthy, homemade snacks that are nourishing and refreshing.
If you’d like more health tips, check out my book, Healthy Eating, Healthy Living, Healthy You.
This article was written by Samadhi Artemisa, A.P. and was originally published in
“A Better You” of the Orlando Sentinel newspaper July 16, 2017 and is reprinted with permission.
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