Fourth of July Treat To Beat The Heat

Coconut Water Freezer Pops

Makes about 6 popsicles 

When kids become over heated they may loss their appetite and are at risk for dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Its very important to keep your child hydrated and these coconut water pops are a great, delicious, and fun way restore the electrolytes that are naturally found in their bodies. You can blend in other fruits, and also try the various flavors of coconut water out there. The passion fruit coconut water from Vitacoco is my personal favorite.

Ingredients:

1 cup coconut water
1 banana
1 cup strawberries, hulled

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth (or to your desired consistency).
2. Pour into freezer molds and place in a level area of your freezer until solid.
3. To remove the popsicles, run your mold under hot tap water until the seal of the frozen liquid releases and you can easy pull each pop out. (If you don’t do this, you WILL pull the handle out without the pop and then you’ve got problems!)

4. Enjoy!

A Healthy Fourth Of July Treat

Makes 10 servings

 There are so many creative treats that you can make with a watermelon.This watermelon cake is perfect for the those hot summer days when you want to avoid using the oven. It’s hydrating, packed with electrolytes, and is great for any BBQ or picnic. Your kids will love this patriotic cake, so get creative and experiment with different fruit combinations to add to its festive appeal. Or if you want something easy just cube , juice and freeze in popsicle holders

Ingredients:

I large seedless watermelon

2 large wooden skewers

1 quart strawberries with their stems removed

1 pint blueberries

1 large  pineapple peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch triangles,

1 ½ pounds seedless green grapes

2 large oranges, peeled and sliced into ¼ inch thick quarter-moons

3-4 kiwifruit, peeled and sliced into ½-inch-thick cross sections

1 box toothpicks

Directions:

1. Cut the watermelon about 2 inches from each end. Remove the outer skin of the watermelon and slice into circular layers. The first layer should be about 8 inches in diameter, decreasing the size of each subsequent layer about 2 inches. When finished, you should have three slices of watermelon, 8, 6, 4 and 3 inches in diameter. 

2. Arrange the watermelon layers on top of one another. The smallest layer should be on top.

3. Use skewers to hold the layers in place. Place the skewers so that they are not visible.

4. Using toothpicks, fasten additional fruit to the cake

5. Slice the “fruit cake” how you would for any other cake or pie and avoid the skewers as you eat and enjoy this refreshing summer snack.

Watermelon

Watermelon is sweetest during the summer. It makes the perfect summer snack that’s both hydrating and packed with electrolytes, including potassium and sodium, which we loss when we sweat. Watermelon is an excellent source of carotenoids, especially lycopene, which has powerful antioxidant properties. In fact, it contains more lycopene than any other raw fruit or vegetable. Watermelon is packed with B vitamins that are essential for energy production. Additionally, watermelon seeds are a great plant source of protein if you want to juice the whole watermelon

Strawberry Oat Muffins

Strawberries are finally here. With every new season comes a new supply of fruits. Fruits make for refreshing and healthy desserts. An important thing to remember when eating your fruits is to incorporate a nice array of different colors. Why? Because each colored fruits provides a different variety of vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemicals your body needs to maintain good health. What I have in my fridge.

Watermelon, the refreshing, crispy pink fruit is a great low-calorie snack! Perfect for a hot summer day, the thirst-quenching fruit is packed with Vitamin C. "This water-soluble fruit is full of anti-oxidants, Try a watermelon slushy. Just puree watermelon in the blender, pour it into decorative cups with a spoon facing down, Freeze for a couple of hours and voila, a healthy kid friendly dessert.

Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries are all great for smoothies, fruit salads and dessert. Almost all berries are super foods. You can even use these delicious berries in our strawberry oat muffins. These muffins provide a healthy and delicious snack!

Strawberry Oat Muffins

Ingredients

1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup oat milk
1/2 cup all almond flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
2 tablespoons coconut oil

1/4 cup agave nectar/maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped fresh strawberries

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour a muffin pan, or use paper liners. In a small bowl, combine oats and milk and let stand 5 minutes. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, beat together the egg, oil, agave and vanilla. Blend in the oat mixture. Stir in the flour mixture, just until moistened. Fold in strawberries. Fill muffin cups 2/3 to 3/4 full.

3. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.