Friday, May 22, 2009

Healthy Summer Treats for Kids

Fun Popsicle

My kids are almost finished with school. How about yours? Inevitably, our kids will want snacks this summer. Fun snacks. Here are a few ideas for Healthy Summer Treats.

First, it is simple to make Homemade Popsicles. What's more refreshing than a Popsicle? While the store-bought Popsicles can have a lengthy list of artificial ingredients, you can make them healthy at home with 100% fruit juice. Popsicle molds can be purchased very cheaply. Simply pour 100% fruit juice in Popsicle molds and freeze for later enjoyment. There is a wider range of 100% fruit juices available than Popsicle flavors. Your kids will love them!

For a Creamier Popsicle, try blending together one part plain yogurt, two parts fruit juice and a bit of honey. You can freeze this just like the one-ingredient variety above. My kids like bits of frozen fruit in them... blueberries, grapes, strawberry bits. Try grape juice with frozen grapes or orange-pineapple juice with bits of strawberries. Kids think snacks are more exciting when they help make them, so as much as possible, let your children make these simple pops.

Another warm weather treat my kids love is Homemade Jello. Since we stick to all natural foods, I had to come up with a better alternative than the sugar, artificial-color and artificial-flavor laden choices at the store. You can make 100% Fruit Juice Jello really easily. In fact, the recipe is on the box of Knox (or Kroger Brand) unflavored gelatin. You simply warm 2 cups of fruit juice, dissolve the packets of gelatin and then add cold fruit juice. My children's favorite is cranberry grape jello.

Last, if you have a powerful blender, you can make healthy Strawberry Ice Cream. Blend together 1 cup of real milk, 1 tsp. of vanilla and 2-4 tablespoons of honey. Then add 2 1/2 cups of frozen strawberries and blend again until thick and creamy. This treat is loaded with Vitamin C. But kids just love it because it is cold and creamy.

Do you have any healthy summer treats? I'd love to hear them!

For more Works For Me tips, visit WeAreThatFamily.

Photocredit: Allposters.com

11 comments:

Ilse said...

I used to make the homemade frozen pops... I need to start making them again... Great Idea!!

Katie said...

And so much better tasting than anything you get at the store!

Sharon said...

I never thought about making homemade jello! We don't buy the pre-made stuff but we do buy the boxes and just add water. We'll have to try the fruit juice and gelatin and experiment some. Thanks!!!

Hoosier Homemade said...

Ooo, those are great ideas! Thanks for sharing!
~Liz

Jordan (MamaBlogga) said...

Mmm, awesome! I've also heard you can make the ice cream in a food processor, if your blender's not strong enough. And of course you can use other frozen fruit--I'm looking forward to using peaches!

annies home said...

yes and so much cheaper to make your own at home

Annikke said...

My kids love to freeze grapes and then eat them frozen... nice and refreshing and healthy to boot!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I like the natural Jello idea. We already blend up all sorts of things for homemade pops, but I never thought of Jello.

Unknown said...

We made the jello and it was a big hit! Who knew you could use juice to make it? : )

Thanks,

Summer said...

I tried your yogurt pop recipe just tonight, using fresh squeezed orange juice, plain homemade yogurt and honey. So good! Thanks a ton!

Mom Of Faith said...

I am just discovering your fabulous blog and I will(!!) be back! As a mom I am always face with the problem of finding something delicious and still healthy to feed to my two girls. We make homemade popsicles on a weekly basis and have just started branching out into creamier popsicles, we love them! Thanks for sharing!