When I think of summer I think of laying by or in a body of water, hanging with friends and family, and/or eating/drinking delicious foods/beverages. I love summer and also love the change up in foods that people crave. I find that we use our grill a whole lot more in the summer, which is nice to get the heat out of the kitchen. We also are always looking for something sweet & cold to cool us down especially on the hot days.
Happy 4th of July
Since 4th of July is next week (holy cow how did that happen), it was time for some festive & healthy #sassyapproved treats. I know it can be hard this time of year to eat healthy when you are presented with treats galore. 4th of July usually entails BBQs, booze, ice cream and everything in between. Eating delicious food doesn’t always have to be unhealthy or derail your efforts from earlier in the year. I get it, I have the same temptations as you. While sometimes I give in and enjoy myself, other days I really just want to enjoy food while also feeling my best, it’s all about balance.
When me and my friends were in Austin earlier this month, we were so relieved to find popsicles at every street corner because otherwise the heat may have been unbearable. The nice thing was that these popsicles were made with simple and healthy ingredients. It felt indulgent to get such a healthy and refreshing treat. One of my favorites was the chocolate popsicle that I got that was made with cream, organic cane sugar, water, & 100% Pure Cacao Organic Dark Unsweetened Chocolate. I love a sweet treat like the next lady, but I’m much more satisfied if I know there are good & recognizable ingredients in the food. You can look forward to my next popsicle being a spin off of that one later this summer 🙂
With such a good taste in my mouth from that popsicle (see above), I thought taking a stab at my own popsicles might not be such a bad idea. I had a ton of berries in my fridge since they are in season, on sale, and my absolute favorite, so instead of chocolate this time, I went for a creamy berry flavor. Dairy free so that if JJ wanted to try some, he could do so.
I Love You Berry Much
Berries are my favorite fruit and I could eat them every day all day if I could. The issue is that they are not in season year round up here so when they are in season (aka now) I buy ALL OF THE BERRIES and use them in every meal and every snack possible. They are such a healthy and low calorie snack option.
Berries are high in fiber, low in sugar and rich in vitamin C which can boost your immune system. This time of year you can tell that berries are in season because they are richer in color AND just down right taste better. I pop berries like candy and have no regrets in doing so. If you HATE when they grow mold before you get to eat them, do what I do, rinse your berries, slice the strawberries & toss them in a little lemon or lime juice. Store these berries in the fridge for the next 3-5 days. If you know you won’t get to eat them within a few days, freeze them! Don’t let them go to waste.
Easy Red, White, & Blue Berry Popsicles
Ok, now that you know I am berry obsessed with berries & popsicles, let’s talk about putting this all together. This recipe is super easy, and requires only 3 ingredients: coconut milk, maple syrup, and berries of choice. I’m all for simplifying recipes to ensure you will actually execute them. Grab a can of coconut milk, your fave berries and get to making these NOW so you can enjoy them tomorrow or this weekend when it’s hot out. I made mine quickly after dinner last night and they were ready for breakfast, errrrrm I mean a snack.
The only other thing you will need besides the ingredients is a popsicle mold. I snagged one this weekend from Target, but if you prefer to shop at home here’s a similar one. I might go grab another one so I can make multiple flavors at once. Goodbye freezer space, hello deliciousness.
Pro tip: For a more even texture, blend all ingredients together in a blender first then pour into popsicle molds.
