Keeping everyone cool during hot summer days

Frozen treats have long been a go-to snack, but homemade options — even for meals — are limitless

There is something quintessential about a popsicle on a hot day that just makes it feel like summer. Ann Marion Willis says we have to take advantage of all the beautiful days we get during East Coast summers. When it comes to summer frozen treats, this registered dietitian who works at the Superstore in Glace Bay, Sydney River and North Sydney, says there’s something for everyone.

It’s also a great time to explore new offerings and old favourites in the line.

BUYING TREATS

If picking something premade from the grocery store freezers, Willis says there are a few things to watch for.

If you have health conditions or particular health goals, Willis suggests getting comfortable reading labels and comparing products. Then decide where, when and how often these foods fit into your routine.

There are some new healthy PC treats available this year, including Lavender Lemonade Ice Pops with a lightly floral and lemon flavour, or their Raspberry Hibiscus counterpart. Willis says these will be her go-to popsicles for the summer.

Kelly Ryan, a certified holistic nutritional consultant and certified culinary nutrition expert in St. John’s, N.L. says sugar content is the big thing to watch for with premade frozen treats.

Refined sugar and chemicals are not good for our bodies, minds, energy, focus or sleep, says Ryan. Too much can lead to health issues down the road or even other issues immediately such as disrupted sleep or concentration in school.

Chemicals in our foods can have disruptive effects as our bodies do not process them well, she says.

This is why, she cautions, it’s best to make our own treats, since we can control the ingredients that go in them.

MAKING YOUR OWN FROZEN TREATS

“For those trying to boost their intake of a certain nutrient, decrease intake of another or meet various needs — like allergies, incorporating some homemade options can be helpful,” says Willis.

Besides, as Willis says, it’s a great opportunity to flex our kitchen skills and get creative. She says her kids love trying to recreate their version of a store-bought product, then taste-testing to determine the winner.

Lisa Dooley likes this idea of evaluating the final product. If everyone likes it, then you have a success. If the critics are in full force, then modify the recipe until you reach success, says the chair of Dietitians of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Involving children in the making of summer frozen treats is also a great way to spend family time together and is a way to increase food literacy, says Dooley.

“Food literacy skills need to be taught from a young age, so that children can gain confidence in making healthy food choices,” says Dooley noting that food is about more than just feeding oneself. “It’s about fueling a child’s mind, body and health.”

To aid with this, Dooley suggests letting children use their imaginations and get involved in all stages of the process. Start with grocery shopping and having your child choose a fruit or an ingredient for their frozen grub, she says.

ELEVATING YOUR FROZEN TREATS

Whether you are making the frozen treats yourself, or involving your children, Adrienne Klassen says there are so many ways to elevate the treats if you make them from scratch.

The head pastry chef at the PEI Preserve Company in New Glasgow, P.E.I. says the options are endless. She has used different flavoured teas, different alcohols or different drinks like coffee, lemonade or root beer. If your favourite drink to get when you go out for coffee is a caramel macchiato, try freezing it in popsicle form, she suggests.

Using different flavoured teas and adding in fresh fruit can make a regular popsicle into something a little fancier, suggests Klassen. When selecting fruit to use, Dooley suggests using fruits and foods that have high water content.

You can even use yogurt, chocolate pudding or add some cookies into the pudding to make frozen treats, says Klassen.

“The sky's the limit when it comes to creating frozen treats. Experimenting with different flavours and combinations can be part of the fun,” says Klassen.

If you are looking for something special to have at a happy hour or cocktail party, Klassen says to place a popsicle in a cocktail glass, or other large glass, and pour over some sparkling wine. Or freeze some cocktail mixes, add that to a tall glass and pour sparkling wine over it.

When creating your treats, either purchase a popsicle mold or Dooley suggests using ice cube trays, paper bathroom cups, mini muffin or bar pans (silicone work best), or reused applesauce, fruit or yogurt cup container, as long as you clean before use.

UNIQUE IDEAS FOR FROZEN TREATS

• Freeze your smoothie. Willis says on hot days, she and her family make smoothies for lunch or supper to avoid heating up the kitchen, using frozen fruit, kefir or Greek yogurt and some chia or hemp hearts. By freezing them, the kids get to enjoy their meal in a refreshing way, so they have the nutrition and energy to play for hours, she says.

• Make frozen Greek yogurt bark with various toppings (recipe below).

• Dip fresh fruit like bananas, berries, and orange slices into melted chocolate and freeze them on a cookie sheet, suggests Willis.

• Yogurt with added pieces of fruit, vegetables (spinach, riced cauliflower) and then frozen provide a filling and nutritious frozen treat, says Dooley.

• You can freeze fruit and vegetables, or use store bought frozen fruits when on sale, and blend and make into an ice cream. Store leftovers in the freezer. Add your favourite toppings such as chopped nuts, seeds, chocolate sauce, coconut, chocolate chips. Ice cream never tasted so good, says Dooley.

• Make Nice Cream by blending together and freezing two bananas, a couple of tablespoons of almond milk or other milk alternative and whatever fruit you want to include, says Ryan.

• Try a mango coconut popsicle which includes a mango, unsweetened coconut milk and lime juice.

• Freeze fruit and enjoy eating them frozen, like Ryan’s children do.

• Watermelon is a great frozen fruit. Dooley says to cut it into small pieces and freeze or cut it into small wedges and add a popsicle stick and freeze – and viola a watermelon popsicle! You can blend watermelon and add to a popsicle mold or other mold and freeze as well.

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

Parents, grandparents, and families always wonder about how many of these frozen treats children should eat, says Dooley. The pressure to make sure kids eat well and healthy can be tough.

“Of course, children eating frozen foods all day long is rarely recommended. Parents need to remember that they decide what foods to offer, where to offer foods and when to offer foods,” says Dooley.

And the decision depends on so many factors, says Dooley. How warm and humid is it? Has your child eaten from Canada’s Food Guide food groups? How often are they eating these foods? Are they on holidays or a special get away?

Moderation is a better choice, says Ryan, noting she is a full believer in the 80/20 rule. If you are eating healthily 80 or 90 per cent of the time, it's okay to have a little treat once in a while, but you need to build it into a healthy lifestyle.

As Willis says, summer is meant to be enjoyed. If you’re struggling to find a balance or find yourself in a restrictive dieting cycle leading up to summer, reach out to a dietitian. They can help you build healthy habits and a better relationship with food.

“The sky's the limit when it comes to creating frozen treats. Experimenting with different flavours and combinations can be part of the fun." Adrienne Klassen Pastry chef