Beat the Summer Heat - Healthy Popsicles!

There is NOTHING I like more than a sweet frozen treat on these long, hot summer days. Unfortunately, most popsicles out there are made with a ton of sugar, or, worse yet, fructose-glucose (aka high-fructose corn syrup). 

This summer, instead of buying a box of popsicles, why not invest in a simple popsicle mold (found at most dollar stores - but make sure it's BPA-free!) and whip up a batch of these super healthy creamy peach popsicles from My New Roots. Not only do they leave out the sugar in favour of natural sweeteners like agave and maple syrup, but they're also jam-packed with beta-carotene, a phytonutrient that fights free radicals and protects your cells.

Finally, your body and your sweet-tooth can live in perfect, peachy harmony.

Ingredients

• 4 large peaches (nectarines would also work)
• ½ cup cashews, soaked for at least 4 hours
• 2-3 Tbsp. liquid sweetener (raw honey, maple syrup, agave)
• 2 Tbsp. water
• ½ vanilla bean, seeds scraped

Directions

Place cashews in a container and cover with fresh, filtered water. Let soak for at least four hours, or overnight. Drain and rinse well.

Peel peaches and roughly chop. Place in a blender or high-speed blender and blend until completely smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of liquid sweetener if desired. Pour contents into a container with a spout and set aside.

Give your blender a quick rinse and add the cashews, along with the vanilla bean, 2 tablespoons of sweetener and water. Blend on high until completely smooth (if using a regular blender, this may take 60 seconds or longer).

Into each popsicle mold, pour a small amount of either the peach puree or cashew puree, then alternate between the two until you’ve reached capacity. Using a popsicle stick or skewer, stir the liquids together slightly to create a marble effect. Place a popsicle stick in each mold and place in the freezer until completely frozen. To remove, run the mold under warm water until the popsicle easily slides out.

Enjoy!