Serves ~6
What could be more refreshing than a tasty popsicle on a hot summer day? These popsicles are easy and fun to make! This particular recipe uses watermelon, peach and peppermint. Feel free to use your creativity and try using a combination of other fruits as well! One great thing about making your own popsicles rather than buying them from the grocery store is that you are able to choose your own ingredients. Most pre-made popsicles have high fructose corn syrup or other added sugars in them, which can contribute to elevating blood sugar levels.
Not only is there no added sugar in this recipe, in it we only use whole fruits! It is great to use whole fruits as ingredients rather than fruit juices because similarly to sugar, fruit juices can spike blood sugar levels. When using whole fruits like watermelon and peaches, you are getting all of the nutrients in the whole fruit, including fiber, which can help to stabilize blood sugar.
Healthy Highlights of this recipe:
- Watermelon contains many important Vitamins, such as B6, A, and C as well as the mineral potassium. It also contains many antioxidants, including one called lycopene, which has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
- Peaches contain large amounts of potassium and Vitamins A and C.
- Peppermint is very cooling, which is great for the hot summer months. There are many different species of peppermint, but the leaves have long been used for digestive ailments, such as indigestion, gas, cramping, and nausea. In some cultures, it has also been used to relieve headaches and menstrual cramps, and has been given to those who suffer from insomnia.
Ingredients
- 5 Cups of Watermelon
- 1 Cup of Peaches
- 12 Peppermint Leaves
Directions
- Remove the pits from the peaches and cut peaches and watermelon into chunks
- Place watermelon, peach and peppermint into a blender
- Blend until smooth
- Pour mixture into 6 popsicle molds
- Place popsicle molds in freezer until frozen
- Enjoy as a tasty dessert in the hot summer months!
Suggestions
- Use organic ingredients when possible
References
- Tilgner, Sharol N.D., Herbal Medicine. United States,1999, pp 94-95.
- Kay, Margarita Artshwager. Healing with Plants. Arizona, United States, 1996, p 193-195
- National Watermelon Promotion Board. 19 July 2015.
- Rao, AV and Agarwal, S. Role of Antioxidant lycopene in cancer and heart disease. J Am Coll Nutr. 19(5):563-9 (2000). 19 July 2015.
- National Nutrient Database: Basic Report: Peaches, Raw. USDA Agricultural Research Service. 19 July 2015.
About the Author: Susan Mitchell is currently a student at the National College of Natural Medicine. She will be entering her third year working toward a Doctoral in Naturopathic Medicine and a Master’s in Acupuncture. She has been involved with the Food As Medicine Everyday classes and is passionate about nutrition and cooking with fresh, whole ingredients. When she is not in school, she loves to travel and create artwork!