There are just some things that are inherently summery - days at the lake, bright colors, evenings outdoors, and of course, certain foods. When summer comes along, so does the sweet tooth. Nice cold lemonade, fresh fruit, popsicles… The list goes on. I know better than anyone how difficult sweet cravings can be to ignore. So for your summer, I’ve put together a list of recipes that can help you tame that sweet tooth and make it through the season.
To start, here’s a recipe for something I find incredibly refreshing on a hot day!
LEMONADE POPSICLES
Ingredients:
1 lemonade enhancer
1/2 cup of water
1 cup of ice
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup small lemon wedges (optional)
1. Place water, lemon packet, ice and lemon juice in a blender and blend until well combined.
2. Spoon into popsicle molds. Drop in a few lemon wedges in between spoonfuls of slush. Place into a freezer.
Enjoy these as a free item.
While lemon is usually a slam dunk for me in the sweets department, sometimes I want something a little creamier, then I turn to these delicious pudding pops, that can even be eaten as ice cream.
Recipe thanks to Low Carb Cooking with Dea and Renee.
VANILLA PUDDING POPS
Ingredients:
1/2 Cup of water
1/2 cup of ice
1 oz. of milk
1 packet of vanilla pudding or chocolate
1/2 tsp vanilla extract or chocolate extract
1 serving of sweetener if desired can use chocolate or vanilla or plain.
1. Place all liquid ingredients in blender first, then add pudding. Blend scraping down sides when necessary. Make sure all powdered pudding blends.
2. Pour into molds.
For ice cream, pour into a freezable covered container and stir every 30 minutes until almost set.
If you’re looking for something a little more like a meal, here are some recipes for smoothies that I love!
To start the day:
OATMEAL AND SPINACH SMOOTHIE
Ingredients:
1 packet of Oatmeal (either flavor)
1 cup of spinach
1 cup of ice
1/2 cup of cold coffee
Cinnamon (optional)
Take spinach, ice, water, coffee and cinnamon and blend until smooth. Add oatmeal packet until blended. Enjoy!
Recipe thanks to Low Carb Cooking with Dea and Renee.
An afternoon refresher:
SPINACH & PINA COLADA SMOOTHIE
1 cup of spinach
1 cup of ice
5-8 oz. of water
Pina Colada Drink Mix
Sweetleaf coconut flavoring
Take spinach, ice & water and blend until smooth. Add Pina Colada drink mix & coconut flavoring.
Then of course there are those day where you’re going to a barbecue, or entertaining company - This is my favorite recipe to share.
RHUBARB & LIME SALSA
Ingredients:
1 cup of chopped rhubarb
1/4 cup of diced red onion
1/2 cup of diced orange or yellow pepper
1/2 cup of diced green pepper
1/4 cup of fresh cilantro
3/4 cup diced tomatoes
1/4 cup diced jalapeños
1/2 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
Fresh lime juice from 1 lime
1 tbsp of Walden Farms Maple Syrup
1 smal garlic clove (pressed)
1. Mix all ingredients together well. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2-3 hours You can stir occasionally to blend the flavors.
Recipe yields 3 cups of vegetables and 1/4 serving of sweetener.
Excellent with any protein chips, a topping for salads, or topping for fish and chicken.
Recipe thanks to Reformation Body Solution and Dea’s Recipes.
Armed with these recipes you’re sure to have a good and healthy summer ahead of you! If you have any other fun summer recipes for the Ideal protein Protocol share them in the comments!