A Healthy, Sweet Summer Treat: Strawberry Rhubarb (Paleo-Friendly) Ice Cream

Today the wonderful Megan is here to share a delicious (and healthy!) summer treat with us. If you're a regular reader you know that I love to share bits from Megan's blog here...she has such a knack for making things look so beautiful! So if you haven't already hopped over and become a fan of Freckled Italian, be sure to do so (and then check out her Instagram while you're at it). Thanks so much for contributing such a wonderful-looking treat, Megan. Can't wait to try it out.

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Summer is here! What better way to celebrate than with homemade ice cream? I have to admit that I've never actually made ice cream, so this was a fun little culinary adventure. I adapted this Martha Stewart recipe--using coconut instead of dairy and honey instead of regular sugar--to make it Paleo-friendly.

Ingredients:

1 pound rhubarb, chopped
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons water
2 cups strawberries
1 cup canned coconut cream (the heavy part on top)
1/2 cup coconut milk




Instructions:

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine chopped rhubarb, honey, and water. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 20 minutes, until rhubarb is broken down and all ingredients are well-combined. Set aside and let cool.

2. Puree strawberries in a blender or food processor. Strain to remove seeds and combine with coconut cream and milk in a large bowl or container.

3. Add cooled rhubarb-honey mixture to the strawberry-coconut mixture and refrigerate overnight (or for at least a couple of hours).

4. Freeze in an ice cream maker and enjoy!

Mango-Peach Popsicles

Today my friend Megan is here to share a super easy, super healthy popsicle idea with all of you! Megan is a long-time blog buddy of mine, and I just adore her space on the internet, Freckled Italian. And recently, she opened up a brand new business, Cave Girl Consulting. 

At Cave Girl Megan guides and leads you in your Paleo journey, giving you meal plans, recipes, support, and an overall friend holding your hand as you get healthier and healthier. Although this is a new venture for Megan, she's been doing this forever via her blog, and some of my most favorite recipes and ideas come from her. If you're wanting to get healthier, Paleo or not, Megan is the girl for you! Seriously head over there and get inspired- her packages and rates are insanely affordable (only $15 for her starter package, $30 for a month-long meal plan!), and sometimes what we need most is someone giving us that little extra push to get to where we want to be.

And now I'll let her take it away - and thank you again sweet Megan for contributing this post!

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Hi everyone! I'm Megan, the blogger behind Freckled Italian and owner of Cave Girl Consulting, a brand-new Paleo consulting business. I'm here today to talk to you a little bit more about Cave Girl, but not without first sharing a recipe! 

Summer is almost here and frozen treats are perfect for hot afternoons. These popsicles are free of sugar and dairy and really, everything else except fresh fruit! They'd be perfect for kids or your next cookout with friends. Enjoy!

Paleo Mango-Peach Popsicles

Ingredients:

Makes about ten popsicles

3 of the ripest mangoes you can find

3 ripe peaches

The juice from half an orange

1. Peel the mangoes and peaches. Cut up the peeled fruit and put in food processor.

2. Squeeze half of an orange into the mix. Blend. 

(You can make it as chunky or smooth as you like, but I prefer mine without any fruit bits in them.)

3. Spoon the fruit mixture into popsicle molds and freeze. If you don't have popsicle molds, just use an ice cube tray and add good old-fashioned popsicle sticks after about twenty-five minutes.

  

You can do almost any combination of fruit you can think of--I debated adding sliced strawberries to these guys, but in the end I was happy with the combination (and color!) of mango, peach, and orange. Have fun with it! And have a great summer.

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Perfect! Thank you so much Megan! Henry and I can't wait to try these out. Do you have any fave popsicle combinations? Feel free to share in the comments, and be sure to pop over to Megan's blog and Cave Girl for more awesome tips, recipes and inspiration. 

5 Delicious (Paleo) Recipes

Megan's blog is one of my favorites for a few reasons- she's a great writer, she takes fantastic photos, and I always, always enjoy the stories and recipes she shares. And lucky us, she's sharing five of those delicious meal ideas with us today! After you're done drooling, be sure to stop by The Freckled Italian and say hello.

Hi everyone! I'm Megan and I blog at Freckled Italian. I wanted to share a word on my experience with Paleo today since Dani has been trying it out for herself!

I switched to Paleo almost a year ago and I can't believe how much it's changed my life. I went from being a frail, always-dizzy, migraine-riddled, constantly anxious and often depressed 23 year-old with acne that just wouldn't quit and a moderate case of alopecia areata to the healthy and happy person that I am today. I now have a full head of hair, clear skin, and my anxiety under control. There are some days that I wake up and miss sourdough bread or my beloved morning lattes (especially now as fall approaches!), but they sure beat the days I used to wake up and wonder what could possibly be wrong with me.

I know that not everyone chooses to switch to Paleo because of health reasons, but that's my story, and I love to share it. I've also always loved cooking and eating, and the past nine months or so have really changed the way I think about food. It's also forced me to get a little more creative in the kitchen...and sometimes, to just wrap things in bacon. Here are my five favorite things I've made and blogged in the last few months. I hope you find something you like.

Bacon-Wrapped Avocado Wedges

Paleo Candy Bars

Jalapeno Poppers

Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Orange-Ginger Chicken & Garlic Sesame Asparagus

Try one or try them all-- and let me know if you do!
Thanks for having me today!