Healthy Living in Austin, Texas

We all love ice cream, but the extra pounds it adds?…Not so much. Get the same satisfaction from a much healthier snack…popsicles! This cousin of ice cream cuts out those extra calories and fat grams while still giving us the same refreshing snack on a hot summer day. There are many different recipes that save you both calories AND cash, but here are a few I found this morning on Yahoo’s Health Page.

To make the following recipes, use a 3 ounce Dixie Cup, plastic wrap, and popsicle sticks!

1. Watermelon-Lime-Cilantro Popsicles – In a blender, combine 3 cups cubed, seeded watermelon, 6   tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp honey and 3 tbsp fresh lime juice. Stir in 2 tsp chopped fresh cilantro and enjoy this snack for only 62 calories!
2. Chunky Pineapple-Chili Popsicles – In a blender, combine 2 cups cubed fresh pineapple, 3/4 cup pineapple juice, 3 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1 teaspoon ground ancho chile. Stir in 1 cup coarsely chopped pineapple for a measly 61 calories total!
3. Crunchy Peanut Butter-Banana Popsicles – In a blender, combine 3 medium bananas, 1 cup 1 percent milk, 3 tbsp honey and 5 tbsp natural peanut butter. Stir in 1/4 cup lightly salted dry roasted chopped peanuts. This one is a little heavier on the calories at 165, but worth it!
4. Avocado Mango Popsicles – In a blender, combine 3 cups cubed mango, 3/4 ripe avocado, 5 tbsp sugar and 3 tbsp fresh lime juice. Stir in 1 tbsp grated orange zest. At just 93 calories per serving, these are a must have!