Fun, Homemade Frozen Treats
It’s here, it’s here! Summertime is here! My favorite treats in summer are basically anything cold or frozen; especially if it’s enjoyed while at the pool or sitting outside with my kids. However, I have a hard time finding premade frozen or cold treats that aren’t just loaded with sugar. Here are a few healthy and cold treats that you can easily make at home with your blender.
(1) Popsicles
I recently bought popsicle molds for my kids and it’s been so fun to make them! Basically you make a healthy smoothie, put it in the popsicle mold and let it freeze. Just make sure you add some healthy fat and/or protein to the fruit to make it balanced. Examples:
Chocolate cherry: 1 cup frozen cherries, 1 can full-fat coconut milk, 2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder.
Strawberries and cream: 1 cup frozen strawberries, 2 scoops vanilla protein powder, ½ cup vanilla yogurt, 1 ½ cups milk.
Banana and peanut butter: 1 frozen banana, 2 tbsp. peanut butter and 1 cup milk.
(2) Slushies
I used to love getting slushies from Sonic as a kid, but you better believe those drinks are LOADED with so much sugar. You can actually make your own healthier version at home using a blender!
Watermelon: 3 cups frozen chunks of watermelon & strawberries, ¼ cup lime juice, ¼ cup fresh mint and a dab of pure maple syrup; add water if needed.
Pina Colada: 1 cup frozen pineapple, ¼ cup coconut milk, dab of honey; top with shredded coconut.
(3) Milkshakes
Who doesn’t love a yummy milkshake? Instead of using ice cream, you can make a delicious milk shake using whole milk, a delicious protein powder (I like Cardio Tabs or Tera’s Whey) and a frozen banana. You can also add in some unsweetened cocoa powder or vanilla extract.
(4) Banana Ice Cream
Did you know you can make faux ice cream using frozen bananas? Simply freeze a few bananas (just make sure they aren’t too ripe) and put them in a food processor or blender with a splash of milk and your flavors of choice. The texture and look is very similar to regular ice cream. I like to add almond butter and unsweetened cocoa powder to mine; or instant coffee and vanilla extract. There are several flavor ideas on Pinterest. This is the main way we eat ice cream at our house and my kids don’t even know the difference.
(5) Mocktails
As far as fun, summery drinks go, I love using a naturally flavored carbonated water – like La Croix – and mixing it with a naturally flavored and sweetened water enhancer – like True. My favorite combo is Berry La Croix mixed with True Lemon Raspberry. Sooooo good. I feel like I’m drinking a mixed cocktail on the beach. Other ideas include Lime La Croix mixed with True Lime; Lemon La Croix and True Lemon; and Pamplemousse La Croix with True Grapefruit. You can also make these frozen by adding some ice and blending in a blender.
Looking to make some new best friends this summer? Make a few extra of any of these recipes to share and you’ll have some new friends for life. Happy summer!