It feels to me like summer is whizzing by far too fast. Especially when, for a week there, we dipped into fall temperatures. But thankfully summer is sizzling once again! So I thought I’d roll back the clock and serve up a second scoop of my Ice Cream Parlour Menu from two years ago. It got raves when it first came out. For those new to The Nutritional Reset community since August 2019, these healthy ice creams will be both frosty and fresh to you. And for those seeing this as a second scoop, I hope you are again taste-tempted by my favourite frozen treats.
Enjoying ice cream is a rite of summer but most commercial products wreak havoc with our health. Whereas my ice ‘creams’ have all the great taste but no artificial ingredients or sweeteners other than natural whole fruit (with the exception of a wee bit of maple syrup in the Raspberry Avocado Ice Cream). They are dairy-free, so anyone with a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance can also enjoy them. And you can whip them up super-quick with a high speed blender or food processor. I use my mini food processor to make double scoops in a snap. The first recipe has 5 ingredients and the others have 3 or fewer (okay, the Pina Colada Ice Cream technically has 4 if you add the optional rum). And the best part is you actually know what the ingredients are!
By contrast, if you find yourself at Baskin Robbins, you might be tempted by their NSA Pineapple Coconut Cone. It sounds like a summery, healthy choice. After all, NSA stands for No Sugar Added. But a look at the ingredient list would quickly melt that illusion: Nonfat Milk, No Sugar Added Dessert Base (Maltitol, Maltodextrin, Polydextrose, Whey Protein Isolate, Guar Gum, Mono and Diglycerides, Locust Bean Gum, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Sucralose), Cream, Pineapple (Pineapple, Maltitol Syrup, Glycerine, Locust Bean Gum, Guar Gum, Artificial Flavour, Sucralose), Natural and Artificial Flavours. WARNING: Sensitive individuals may experience a laxative effect from excessive consumption of this product. It seems more like a science experiment than an ice cream to me. It is both tastier and healthier to make your own.
I like these ice creams best served immediately as the consistency is just perfect. If you prefer to make them ahead and freeze, it’s a good idea to let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving to temper them. Or you can add a tablespoon of vodka to the recipe to help prevent a hard freeze. Otherwise scooping them out can do double-duty as your strength training workout.
Feel free to share these recipes with your family and friends! After all, I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! I’ll be taking a blog-break for the rest of this month so I wish you all a fantastic rest of your summer and see you in September!
Ice Cream Parlour Menu
Raspberry Avocado Ice Cream (this may sound weird but, trust me, it is super rich and creamy – scroll down for more on the awesome avocado)
Pina Colada Ice Cream (if my primer on pineapple, below, isn’t enough to persuade you, it is fabulous topped with rum … for adults only) 😉
Peach Ice Cream (perfect for peach season; if you can’t find macadamia nut butter for this recipe and don’t wish to make it, try hazelnut butter)
Cherry Blueberry Coconut Popsicles (fancy popsicle moulds not necessary, these mini-pops are summer on a stick!)
Join The Nutritional Reset community here to receive this month’s menu today (as well as each month to come)! And read on for some nutritional tidbits about a few foods featured in the recipes…
A few featured foods
Avocado
Avocado is key to the richness of the Raspberry Avocado Ice Cream, providing 15 grams of unsaturated fat per 100 grams. It is also a fibre powerhouse (as are raspberries). You’ll get 12 grams of fibre in just one serving of this ice cream! It’s so filling, a half-serving is plenty. And by slowing the absorption of sugar, fibre keeps your blood sugar steady. So you don’t get the unhealthy spikes and crashes brought on by many sugary treats.
Pineapple
Pineapples are low in calories at only 74 per cup. Yet this tropical favourite packs an antioxidant and nutrient punch. They are very rich in vitamin C and manganese and these, combined with many other vitamins, minerals and enzymes (like bromelain*) in pineapple work to calm inflammation and boost immunity. Studies show bromelain could be helpful for osteoarthritis. It also improves protein digestion.
*As bromelain may interact with certain drugs, it is important to check your medications before eating large quantities of fresh pineapple.
Cooking your own food is the single most impactful step you can take to improve your health and energy!
I hope you enjoy this Ice Cream Parlour Menu (sign up here to receive the download link). And if you want to cook more of your own food but don’t know what to make or have the time to organize your own menus and shopping lists, The Nutritional Reset offers a meal planning service. It makes preparing tasty, nutritious meals a snap. Click here to find out more.