So, the sun came out fully in NP today and I realized SUMMER is literally just round the corner. I do love summer; so in celebration I made a gem of treat for the kids afternoon tea. It was such a hit and it got me thinking about so many treat foods that kids just love; and they should be allowed to enjoy them every now and then. The reality of it is though, these treats are really NOT treats for their growing bodies or an adults either. Here's my alternative...hope its loved as much as it was at my house!
Bliss Blocks
Ingredients:
2 frozen banana
1 cup coconut yoghurt (I used Raglan Coconut Yoghurt)
1 cup organic frozen berries
1/2 tsp cinnamon
(I added 1 TBS of Nutraorganics Thriving protein as this turns it into a mini meal. Perfect for tying kids over till dinner but it isn't necessary)
To turn this into a awesome post-workout summer snack add 1 TBP Nutraorganics Clean protein. Awesome to pull out of the freezer after a sweaty workout!
Method:
12-24hrs before peel and chop banana and put in the freezer. (This isnt necessary but gives a lot better texture and makes the time from putting into the mould to frozen for eating quicker.
Put all ingredients into the blender and blend till smooth. Will have the consistency of soft serve ice-cream and you can eat it as is but show some restraint and fill your molds to the brim.
You can use ice block sticks or in my case 'Oh O, ran outta those. Then light-bulb moment - I live surrounded by trees. Sticks are good enough for marshmallows around the campfire so they'll be good enough for these ice-cream blocks.
Place in the freezer till frozen. 4-6 hours does the job.
Run boiling water over the outside of mould's. Extract and see the merry faces awaiting...
And is the 5mins of effort worth it? You make that call but here's what you would typically find in a store brought ice-cream:
Ingredients: Dairy ingredients (30%) (reconstituted skim milk, milk solids), water, cane sugar, strawberries (10%), invert sugar, vegetable oil, glucose syrup, stabilisers (410, 407, 1442, 415), emulsifier (471), flavours, food acid (citric), colour (120), firming agent (509), ice structuring protein.
Made on machinery that also manufactures products which contain soybean, wheat, peanuts and treenuts (taken from a popular ice-cream brands pack)
I'd say your gut feeling is let's go with the homemade option!