Is there anything better than a cool treat on a hot summer afternoon? We think not. And when that treat is made with healthy ingredients and infused with herbal products, it only gets better. These four recipes will delight your taste buds while benefiting your health. Lazy summer afternoons and long summer nights, here we come!
Golden Milk Popsicles
In the wintertime, drinking a cup of Golden Milk is a comforting and nourishing ritual; an act of mindfulness in a crazy world. But when summer rolls around, the allure of a hot beverage isn't quite so strong. Don't worry; you can still enjoy your Golden Milk even when the mercury rises, with these incredibly delicious golden milk popsicles.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons ghee or coconut oil
- 2 heaping teaspoons Golden Milk
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 2 cups coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 pinches kosher salt
Preparation:
- Melt the ghee in a small saucepan on low heat.
- Whisk in the Golden Milk, cinnamon and ginger.
- Add the coconut milk.
- Bring to a boil and then remove from heat.
- Stir in honey.
- Let cool completely, then pour into popsicle molds.
Makes 4 large popsicles
Choco Avo Pudding
Chock full of healthy fats and fiber, avocados make a healthy base for a smooth, creamy, chocolate pudding. Decadent enough to serve to guests after dinner, but healthy enough to enjoy as a mid-afternoon snack, this pudding will delight adults and children alike.
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe chilled avocados
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/8 teaspoon fine salt
- 4 teaspoons MacaBoost Cacao-Ginger
Preparation:
- Combine all ingredients in food processor.
- Blend until smooth.
- Top with shredded coconut and sliced strawberries.
- Serve immediately
Make 4 ramekins of pudding
Maca Mocha Smoothie
If you're an iced mocha fan, this smoothie is for you. It tastes absolutely indulgent, but unlike the coffeeshop variety, this cool beverage is sweetened with banana and dates. A serving of Maca helps power your day while adding a hint of chocolate goodness.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup strong coffee (caffeinated or decaf)
- 1/2 cup cow milk or non-dairy milk (almond, coconut, or cashew)
- 1 banana
- 3 dates
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons MacaBoost Cacao-Ginger
- Handful of ice
Preparation:
- Brew the coffee.
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Serve over ice.
Makes two 8-oz servings
Strawberry Fig Elderberry Granita
If you're craving a sorbet, but don't have an ice cream maker, you need to know about granitas. A Sicilian dessert made from frozen fruit, sweetener, and a little liquid, granitas are as refreshing as sorbets but much less work. And because granitas are made by hand, they have a coarse, flaky texture that is both crunchy and melty at the same time. This recipe features elderberry syrup, so you get an immune boost with your dessert.*
Ingredients:
- 4 cups strawberries
- 6 figs (if using dried, reconstitute in a little water first)
- 4 tablespoons Black Elderberry Syrup
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Preparation:
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the blended mixture into a 9x13 inch pan
- Freeze for 30-45 minutes, then take the pan out of the freezer and scrape the frozen parts of the granita with a fork, breaking up any chunks.
- Return the pan to the freezer and keep scraping every 30 minutes for 4 hours total. (Scraping takes less than a minute, so this sounds more time-consuming than it actually is.)
- Serve alone or atop Greek yogurt.
Makes 4 bowls of granita