Summertime is the perfect time to cool off with some healthy frozen desserts. The best part about these recipes is that you can enjoy a sweet dessert, but still eat a healthy diet. Kids will love these treats, and so will adults. The fruit in these recipes tend to act as a natural sweetener. Instead of keeping ice cream in the freezer, try whipping up one of these fabulous treats.

Makes 3¼ Cups

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups frozen banana chunks

1 cup milk (regular or soy)

1 tsp. vanilla

2 tsp. peanut butter

½ tsp. molasses

½ tsp. honey

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients together in a blender, and blend until smooth.

Quick Tip: Peel bananas and cut them into chunks. Place them in a freezer bag, and keep them in your freezer until ready to use.

Frozen Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles

Ingredients:

1 pint plain, low-fat yogurt

1 cup strawberries, mashed

1/3 cup evaporated milk

3 ½ tbs. honey

Other Supplies:

Paper cups and popsicle sticks

Or

Reusable popsicle containers

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients together.

Freeze mixture in containers, inserting sticks when it is partially frozen.

To Serve:

Briefly immerse containers in hot water, pulling popsicles out of containers.

O.J.—P.J. Shake

Makes 12 Oz.

Ingredients:

½ cup orange juice

½ cup pineapple juice

1 cup ice cubes (about five)

1/8 tsp. coconut extract

Directions:

Blend all ingredients together until smooth and frothy.

Serve immediately, garnished with a strawberry slice.

Lime Breeze Freeze

Serves 2 to 3

Ingredients:

2 tbs. fresh lime juice

1 ½ cups frozen pineapple, crushed

½ cup buttermilk

1/8 tsp. vanilla

1/16 tsp. coconut extract (optional)

Directions:

Blend all ingredients together until smooth.

Garnish with lime slices.

Frothy Lemonade

Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients:

½ cup fresh lemon juice

3 tbs. honey

1 cup cold water

2-3 cups ice cubes

12 fresh mint leaves

Directions:

Combine the lemon juice, honey, water, and ice cubes in your blender. Blend on high until it is frothy and ice cubes are crushed.

Place the more ice cubes and mint leaves into four 12-ounce glasses. Pour in the lemonade, and serve immediately.

Quick Tip: Leave the glasses for a couple of hours before using. This way, they will stay nice and frosty while you serve your drinks.

Strawberry Papaya Delight

Makes 1 to 2 Servings

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh juice (apple, orange, or pineapple)

1 small papaya, peeled and seeded (be sure to remove every seed—they are bitter)

6 medium frozen strawberries

1 small ripe banana

3 dates, seeds removed (optional—they add sweetness)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender, and blend on high until smooth and creamy.

Quick Tip: You can buy frozen fruit, or simply freeze fresh fruit until you are ready to use it.