I was visiting with a friend the other day who commented on hard it is to find simple summer snacks the kids will love from the grocery store. In particular, she was looking for a brand of popsicles that she could give her kids, that would be made with all natural ingredients, and avoid all the processed ingredients, preservatives and dyes.
Imagine her excitement when she discovered how simple and delicious making your own ice cream could be. At our “Eating For All Ages Workshop” she made “Banana Berry Ice Cream”that was a huge hit among the kids and adults alike. It has a cold, smooth, creamy texture that is refreshing and tastes amazing. Even better still…it has only 2 ingredients. No guess work here, just a fantastic healthy treat the kids (and adults) will love!
For a simple twist, add a little cinnamon and your favorite type of milk (I enjoy using almond milk, however any type of milk will work very well). The milk will make the texture a little lighter and for those who are a little sensitive to fruit, this is another amazing way to enjoy the wonderful snack.
Don’t stop there though, play with the types of fruit you use. We have made variations of this recipe with a variety of berries, mangos, peaches and more. The only key to the success of this recipe that bares mentioning is that it is typically far more successful with the use of a Vitamix blender. These high powered blenders are similar to the types used at the commercial smoothie chains and are fantastic for many of our great recipes. If you don’t have one, you can can purchase this online: Vitamix. Or you can e-mail us for more information and we will be happy to assist you.
Here are a couple other fantastic summer treats you can try for the whole family:
Great Granola Bars; be sure to keep these refrigerated for a cool and satisfying snack. These will keep the kids going for hours. It is also a wonderful treat when crumbled and mixed with plain organic yogurt.
Yogurt Parfait; Once you know the basics, you can let your child’s imagination run wild. The power of choice is an amazing freedom for kids-let them choose some alternate ingredients and have fun all summer long.
Let me know what your favorite summer treats are! We welcome questions and new ideas that we can share with others.
