Kids’ appetites for sweet, cool treats are especially evident in the summer! This is the perfect opportunity to satisfy those hot-weather cravings and get some delicious, nutritious, and fun foods into them without the complaining!
What's in those store-bought treats, anyway?
Packaged ice cream treats are often laden with preservatives, artificial colours, and sugar in one form or another. Even products labeled "organic" or "all-natural" can sneak past your label-reading radar – just because a product is in a health food store, or makes claims of being a healthy option, doesn’t mean it's devoid of extras you simply don't need. Choose products with few ingredients–and ones that are whole foods, no-sugar added (fruits are sweet already!), and free of preservatives and colours.
Better yet, skip the costly packaged treats altogether in favour of getting your kids in the kitchen to make their very own sundae station. You’ll know it’s a healthy option, but I promise they won’t be rolling their eyes when they dig into these refreshingly delicious homemade sundaes.
Homemade Fruit Ice Cream
This is truly the easiest ice cream you can make at home!
Ingredients
-
2 ½ c frozen fruit of your choice (berries, mixed fruit, & local & organic if possible)
-
¼ c organic whipping cream or coconut cream
-
Honey, maple syrup, or dates if desired
Instructions
- Get your kiddos to place all the ingredients into your blender or food processor, starting with the softer ingredients first (sweetener and cream).
- Blend until smooth. You’re done. Seriously.
Note: If your blender isn’t very strong, you may have to add more whipping cream.
Healthy Toppings Station
Gather several small dishes and have the kids fill them with your toppings. Add a small spoon to each (or even one to share among them).
- Hemp hearts
- Flax seeds
- Chia seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Shredded, unsweetened coconut
- Coconut flakes
- Cacao nibs
- Carob chips
- Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, macadamia, hazelnuts
- Diced up dates
Whip up a chocolate sauce using coconut oil, honey or maple syrup and cocoa or cacao powder!
Scoop out the ice cream into dishes and add toppings from the sundae topping station for a too-crazy-good-to-be-healthy sundae!
For a delicious banana version of this ice cream, check out this recipe.