Hey there health seeker!
Want to get your kids eating? Just freeze it! I swear, I can feed my kids (1.5 & 3) just about anything simply by making them into frozen treats. I love playing around with different fruits and veggies, and even mixing in things like herbs and spices with specific health benefits that I have a really hard time feeding them otherwise. Most recently I blended in some immune boosting turmeric to a coconut mango ice cream (recipe below). It’s pretty tough to get kids to eat many immune boosting or antiviral superfood, especially when they’re feeling under the weather.
Making your own sweets is so important because you get to control exactly what goes in it: whole food sweeteners, fibre, healthy fats, and no artificial flavours, preservatives, or colours! When it comes to our health, weight and mood, sugar is the real culprit we need to watch out for. Read any processed food label and you will notice sugar (in some form) will be the first ingredient. You will also notice many “healthy” desserts will contain artificial colours, additives, and natural flavour, which is a completely unregulated term and can have just about any chemical concoction included on the list as long as it’s derived from something that slightly resembles food!
FROZEN TREATS WITH BENEFITS ~ Recipes
You and your kids are going to LOVE this delicious creamy tropical blend! If you have a high power blender you can use that, if not that’s OK too. The coconut mango ice cream was made in my food processor and it turned out great!
Coconut Mango Ice Cream (Anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, immune boosting)
- 1 can coconut milk, full fat (must be in the fridge for at least an hour)
- 2 cups frozen mango
- 1 Tbsp raw honey
- 3/4 tsp vanilla powder or 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 1/8 tsp cardamom
How to make:
Scoop the solid coconut cream that has separated from the liquid into a blender or food processor.
Cut mango into small pieces. Add to food processor along with the rest of the ingredients and blend on high until smooth.
If you’re using a Vitamix or another high power blender, start out on low speed and increase to full power just until smooth. (Don’t over do it, the high speed will melt your ice cream!)
Serve up immediately!
Makes 3-4 servings
Vitamin C Power Punch Granita (Immune boosting, Anti-microbial, Increases circulation, Weight-Loss, Anti-aging)
Vitamin C from the grapefruits and fresh ginger will help to boost the immune system and raw honey has anti-microbial properties. The fibre from the grapefruits will also help to slow the absorption rate of the sugars and help balance blood sugar so that you’re not left craving more sugar! If you have little kids, who don’t appreciate the taste of grapefruits yet, you can use oranges as well. Just adjust the amount of honey used as oranges are much sweeter.
- 3 pink grapefruits
- 3 Tbsp raw honey
- 1/2 tsp fresh ginger root, grated
How to make:
Peel grapefruit and cut into chunks. Add all ingredients into a blender and buzz until very smooth.
Pour mixture into a freezer safe glass dish and put into freezer. You will need to give it a good stir every couple of hours to keep it from going too hard. Once it starts to freeze, use a fork to scrape and stir the ice crystals as they form.
Depending on the size of your dish, the granita will take about 3-5 hours to freeze.
Makes 3-4 servings
Calming Zen Tea Pops (Relaxing, Antioxidant rich)
This is one of the easiest frozen treats to make as it doesn’t require any equipment at all! I love using chamomile because it is so safe, even for babies and pregnant women. You can play around with any different combination, depending on the desired effect:)
- 2 cups filtered water
- 2 bags or 2 heaping tea spoons Chamomile tea
- 1 Tbsp Rooibos tea
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 5 drops liquid stevia (or 1 Tbsp raw honey)
How to make:
Bring filtered water to a boil in a pot. Remove from heat and add tea, vanilla and stevia. Allow to steep for at least 10 minutes.
Strain tea and pour tea into your popsicle molds. If you want the sticks to stand up straight, insert them when your popsicles are half way frozen (in about an hour).
Allow to freeze for 2-3 hours.
Makes 4-6 popsicles, depending on the size of your molds.
For more super healthy summer treats check out these watermelon recipes!
In health,
