Healthy Snack Idea: Fruity Ice Blocks

This post is by regular contributor Kyrstie Barcak of A Fresh Legacy.

When I was a child there was a frozen treat after school each afternoon in the Summer months. My mum was creative with her treats, they were all healthy and a great way to cool down and feel refreshed after a long, hot bike ride home. Some of the things mum tempted us with included:

• Frozen quartered oranges
• Frozen banana
• Frozen yogurt tubs
• Frozen, freshly squeezed fruit juice
• A huge array of frozen milkshakes made with fresh fruit
• Iced coffee (when we were in high school)

I have established the same tradition with my children. They especially adore the surprise factor of these fruity ice blocks – opening the ice block cover to see what delicious combination of flavours are combined within.

Fruity Ice Blocks

Serves: 6 (depending on size of moulds)
Preparation Time: 5 minutes plus freezing time (prepare a day in advance to allow freezing time)

You will need:

• 200 ml lightly sparkling water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ¼ cup fresh blueberries
• ¼ cup raspberries

To make:

• Combine the ingredients and fill ice block containers. Cover and place into the freezer.

Alternate flavour combinations:
Your imagination is the limit… use ingredients that are in season, in your fridge or fruit bowl. Some of our favourites include;

• Orange, pineapple and apple juice
• Coconut water, mint, melon
• Peach, nectarine and natural yogurt
• Milo, milk and cocao nibs
• Banana, milk, cocao powder, natural yoghurt

Handy Hints:

• I recently discovered lightly sparkling water and the kids love it as a treat. I have been using it as a treat for them instead of taking soft drink to a party or gathering as it contains no sugar, colors or flavors, it is simply slightly carbonated water.
• Buy extra stone fruit, berries or other seasonal fruit when they are in season, blend and then freeze the mixture in ice cube trays. This allows you to store the fruit and use it when it is no longer in season, plentiful and cheaper.  The frozen ice cubes can be easily added to baking or to milkshakes or ice blocks.

Have fun coming up with your family’s favorite fresh flavour combinations.