Is it just me or does everything taste better outside? Juicy peaches, sweet strawberry shortcake, grilled salmon….the vibrant flavors just seem to pop in the summer.
Outside is where it’s at in the summer. Picnic lunches at the park, snacks on hiking trails, burgers and fries after a long day playing in Lake Tahoe. I am always looking for healthy, easy treats to fill up these hollow legged boys of mine, and summer provides a rich abundance of options.
In our family, healthy treats look like whole, fresh foods, limiting sugar, and incorporating nourishing ingredients as much as possible. Seasonal summer foods make it easy with treats like these:
Iced Herbal Tea
Naturally caffeine and sugar free, herbal teas are a great option for kids. There are so many teas available that it’s easy to find one your kids will love. Some good flavors to try are peppermint, ginger, lemon balm, red clover and hibiscus.
Mountain Rose Herbs has a huge variety of lovely bagged and loose leaf teas. I like to make a big batch and keep it in the fridge. Lately we have been making a mix of about 85% tea and 15% lemonade which provides just the right amount of sweetener for me. You could also sweeten with honey or stevia. If you’re wearing your Super-Mom cape, you could even garnish with fresh or frozen berries, or a couple peppermint leaves.
Jello Bites
We have been making “jello” with Great Lakes Gelatin for years now and every batch disappears within a day. Gelatin is a powerhouse food that is anti-inflammatory, promotes gut repair, joint health and SO much more.
The best part is these are super flexible. You can use fruit or veggie juice, tea, kombucha, lemonade….so many options! You can also add in supplements like powdered Vitamin C, probiotics, magnesium or even activated charcoal for upset tummies.
These don’t even require a “real” recipe, although there are TONS of variations out there like this one. Here’s how I do it:
- Pour 2 cups liquid in a small saucepan
- Sprinkle 3-4 TBSP gelatin on top and let it “bloom” / dissolve for about 5 minutes
- Add 1-2 tsp supplements – I usually do a powdered probiotic
- Add 1-2 TBSP raw honey, depending on the sweetness of the liquid
- Heat on LOW for about 5 minutes until the gelatin is fully dissolved.
- Pour into a square baking dish and place in the fridge for a few hours.
- Cut into squares and call the kids!
If you are wearing your Super-Mom cape again, you can cut into fun shapes with cookie cutters. Easy, delicious and nourishing – a triple win!
Smoothie Pops
I am almost embarrassed to include this one because it is ridiculously easy. When we make smoothies for breakfast or snacks, I often make a double batch and pour the smoothie mix into popsicle molds and stick in the freezer…..AND DONE!
We like to add nourishing elements like:
- Plain Yogurt
- Kefir
- Ground Flaxseed
- Chia Seeds
- Collagen Powder
- Cinnamon
My kids also love to pick out yummy berries, peaches, and cherry tomatoes at the farmer’s market. Often vendors will mark down at the end of the day which is a great time to stock up and keep in the freezer for the ultimate easy and healthy treat!
What are some of your favorite summer treats? Let us know in the comments!
