Fruit Up to Cool Down

by Christina Meyer-Jax, Tastemaker in Residence

When summer time is dealing high heat the body often craves fruit. Why? Because your body is geared for survival my friend. It knows to go after a source of water to hydrate and nutrients that are lost in sweat. Watermelon is ~ 90% water…ha! Brilliant naming I think.

With athletes, I recommend having big bowls of cut of melon and berries on hand for post workout refuel. It does the job of helping to hydrate and provide natural carbohydrates needed for energy replenishment (along with the bonus of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients). This advice completely applies to all of us as the temperatures soar in mid-late summer.

But let’s really take this up a notch. I mean what if we are really hot? You know crack and egg on the side-walk and have breakfast hot. 

I’ve started to make homemade popsicles that are super easy, nutritious (shhhh), and a whole lot more fun than a bowl of fruit. It also helps the endless kid battle over having ANOTHER popsicle (cooling things off in more ways than one). When they are this delish and noutrish…go for it!
Here is just a sampling of ideas:

Hydration Station Pops
This concept is super customizable and is meant to up your fruit intake, but it can also be used specifically for rehydrating and electrolyte replacement post exercise/sports.

Ingredient options:
Sliced fruit of choice (bring on the color)
Squeeze citrus juice (I like grapefruit, my kids like lemon with honey)
Coconut water (optional, but a great naturally low sugar hydrator)
A couple dashes of salt (optional if wanting to make it like an electrolyte sports drink)

Instructions

1. Add your desired ingredients to popsicle molds. Freeze for 2-4 hours. Yummo!

Brekkie Pops

This concept is to cool down and fun up the summer time breakfast scene. If we have muffins (which are usually glorified cake) for breakfast, we can certainly include healthy popsicles! Plus is another way to add servings of fruit on the go!

Ingredients   

Choose dairy/dairy alternative for base:
Greek Yogurt
Almond milk yogurt
Kefir
Coconut milk (that’s what is in the picture)

Add fruit of choice:
Berries
Bananas
Coconut flakes
Pineapple
Your favorite___

Sprinkle in (options):
Chia seeds
Sliced almonds
Whey protein
Steel cut oats

Flavor (options):
Honey
Cinnamon
Almond or vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Mixed desired ingredients together in a bowl (except fruit). Add fruit to popsicle molds. Add liquid mixture to molds.  Freeze for 2-4 hours.  Brekkie on the go!
2. *Another fun idea, use popsicle as a dipper for your favorite granola!