The higher the temperatures rise, the more I crave icy cold treats. Of course, I see nothing wrong with having a good old-fashioned ice cream sundae now and then, but if there's any chance I'll be able to squeeze into a swimsuit, I can't indulge every day. So rather than deprive myself all summer long, I've come up with a few homemade snacks that both me and my one-year-old son can enjoy on a hot day. Try these four recipes and let us know what you think.
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__1. Mixed Berry Ice Pops
__1/2 Cup of frozen mixed berries
8 Ounces 100% juice (I like grape)
4 Ounces water (You can use all juice, but I like to dilute it a bit for the little one)
Makes six two-ounce ice pops
To make homemade ice pops, you will need a popsicle mold or an ice cube tray and some wooden popsicle sticks. In a large measuring cup or tumbler, combine juice and water. Next just add five to six frozen berries to the bottom of each popsicle mold and fill each mold 3/4 of the way full with juice/water mixture. Add sticks and freeze for 3-4 hours. If using wooden sticks, you may find it easier to add them once the pops are already partially frozen. You can use this recipe with any size mold, but the number of pops it yields will vary.
__2. Strawberry Mango Smoothie
__1 Cup fresh or frozen strawberries, hulls removed
1 Cup fresh or frozen mango, cubed
1 ripe banana, sliced
1/2 Cup 100% orange juice
1/2 Cup plain yogurt, any style
1 Cup ice cubes
Makes about four eight-ounce servings
Add ingredients to a the pitcher of a blender in this order: orange juice, ice cubes, strawberries, mango, banana, yogurt. Pulse until ice is broken up and blend on high until smooth. Serve in jars or tumblers.
3. __Banana Coconut Ice Pops
__2-3 Bananas, sliced
10 Ounces coconut milk
1/2 Teaspoon fresh or ground ginger
(Makes about six two-ounce ice pops)
Place bananas in pitcher of blender and puree until smooth, add coconut milk and ginger and blend until combined well. Pour into popsicles molds and freeze as described above. Any remaining mixture can be enjoyed as a smoothie.
4. Watermelon Slush
3 Cups fresh seedless watermelon, cubed
1 Cup of ice
Juice of 1 lime
1 Tablespoon honey (optional, only serve to children older than 1 year)
(Makes about four eight-ounce servings)
Place all ingredients in pitcher of blender and puree until smooth and frosty. Serve in jars or tumblers. Any remaining mixture can be frozen as ice pops as described above.
Note: It is best to buy organic berries whenever possible.
Image via Thinkstock
