Get creative with fresh fruit
Summer is a great time to get outside and share meals on your family’s back deck or have a picnic—either on the beach, near the lake or in the park. And, what tops off any great outdoor get-together? Sweet, refreshing snacks that, as a bonus, are also healthy. Getting a little creative with fresh fruit doesn’t just produce delicious results, it also provides you with a plethora of vitamins and minerals.
Watermelon wonder
One of my favorite summer fruits is watermelon. Of course just eating it straight is enjoyable, but you can make it even more fun with a few simple ingredients.
People are often surprised when they find out watermelon is not just filled with water—it is packed with amazing health benefits. Watermelon is rich with nutrients like vitamins A, C, B6, potassium and thiamine. As a matter of fact, a big slice of watermelon contains almost half of your daily needs for vitamin C.
Watermelon is also rich in antioxidants, like beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A, and lycopene, which may help protect against certain types of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
It’s also low in calories, fat and sodium, making it a sweet treat that provides zero guilt.
One of the simplest things you can do to amp up your watermelon is to cut it up in pieces and add it to a blender with a quality cocoa powder. This creates a sweet, refreshing chocolate drink that can be enjoyed on a hot afternoon.
You can also freeze some of the watermelon cubes. By adding some fresh and some frozen cubes to the blender, it makes the drink colder and even more refreshing and fun.
If you are not in the mood for chocolate, then add mint or a squeeze of lime to the watermelon in the blender. Add fresh or frozen berries for a nice twist or a small piece of ginger for more health benefits and flavor.
Cantaloupe craving
Blending up cantaloupe adds a fun twist to a common summer fruit.
Just cut up the melon and put it in a blender with a pinch of cinnamon. This bright, peach-colored, frothy drink is satisfying and refreshing and, of course, healthy.
Milkshake with a twist
What kid, or adult, would pass up a creamy, cold, satisfying milkshake on a hot afternoon? Some do to avoid consuming a fattening and unhealthy treat.
But, there is a way you and your kids can enjoy a milkshake anytime and feel good knowing you’re serving something healthy and delicious.
Pour a nondairy milk of your choice—rice, almond, soy, coconut, hemp or oat milk—in a blender with frozen bananas. If you want a chocolate milkshake, add some quality cocoa powder. If it is strawberry you crave, add frozen or fresh strawberries. If you want something really special this time of year, add fresh peaches. You can also add a bit of vanilla to boost the flavor of any milkshake.
Janet McKee is a holistic health counselor.