There's nothing like summer!
Going to the pool, eating watermelon, grapes, and popsicles.
The popsicles sold at the neighborhood grocery store are full of artificial colors, processed white sugar – not ingredients I'd want to put in my body.
Therefore, I decided to make healthy, natural popsicles at home that will help us recover from a tough workout, help us relax, and also help prevent the next inflammation.
Vegan Popsicle: Mango, Spirulina, and Soy Milk
A popsicle with a deep green color and a delightful mild mango flavor.
What do you need?
Yields 4 popsicles
- 1 peeled mango
- 1 cup unsweetened soy milk
- 1 level tablespoon of spirulina
What to do?
Blend well, pour into popsicle molds, and freeze.
Each popsicle contains: 95 calories, 1.8 grams protein, 2.8 grams fat, 14 mg calcium, rich in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, and omega-3.
Noam Bachar, nutritionist and fitness trainer: "This green popsicle contains a good amount of antioxidants which will lead to better recovery between workouts, prevent weakness, and contribute to preventing the development of inflammation and even boost the immune system.
Popsicles contain various types of polyphenols and are rich in vitamins A and C, all of which contribute as antioxidants."
To Noam Bachar's Facebook page
Vegan Popsicle with Green Tea, Peanut Butter, Grapes, Mint and Lemon Verbena Mix, Silan
A wonderful popsicle that will help calm the mind and body.
What do you need?
Yields 4 popsicles
- 1 cup strong green tea
- 2 teaspoons natural peanut butter (unsweetened and unsalted)
- 1 cup green grapes
- 2 teaspoons silan (date syrup)
- 3-4 mint and lemon verbena leaves
What to do?
Prepare a cup of strong green tea.
Roughly blend the grapes.
Mix the rest of the ingredients well until the silan and peanut butter are combined.
Add the mint and lemon verbena leaves.
Pour into popsicle molds and freeze.
Each popsicle contains: 41 calories, 0.7 grams protein, 1 gram fat, 6 mg calcium, rich in fiber and magnesium.
Noam Bachar, nutritionist and fitness trainer: "The amino acid L-theanine found in green tea is attributed with properties that aid in a feeling of calmness."
"In addition, green tea contains antioxidants that help body cells fight damage caused by free radicals."
"Green tea is characterized by properties that help us with many conditions such as: high cholesterol, blood fats, cardiovascular diseases, degenerative diseases, digestive problems, and more."
"Also, green tea increases satiety and soothes our digestive system."
"Mint and lemon verbena are very good sources of dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, folic acid, some minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium. And in addition, it is a good source of B vitamins: thiamine, niacin, and vitamin B6."
"Peanut Butter – Besides being tasty, peanut butter has several excellent nutritional components for us; Vitamin E, magnesium (which helps build bones), potassium ("electrical conductor" in the body – helps muscle function), Vitamin B6 known as an immune system booster (helps protein metabolism and red blood cell production). The fat in peanut butter is monounsaturated fat, which is much preferred over saturated fat."
To Noam Bachar's Facebook page
Vegan Popsicle with Berries, Soy Milk and Cashews
A popsicle with a gorgeous pink color, an addictive taste, and rich in iron.
What do you need?
1 cup berries (frozen is fine)
1 cup unsweetened soy milk
8 cashews soaked in plenty of water for at least 4 hours
What to do?
Blend well in a food processor, pour into popsicle molds, and freeze.
Each popsicle contains: 86 calories, 1 gram protein, 4 grams fat, 14 mg calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, folic acid, and fiber.
Noam Bachar, nutritionist and fitness trainer: "Berries are known to be among the richest sources of antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and flavonoids."
"All of them, without exception, contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant components."
"The amount of iron in cashews is double that of most other nuts, with 50 grams – 25 cashews – providing 3 mg out of the 11 mg women need daily."
To Noam Bachar's Facebook page
