Hello July!!!! My goodness, I have seen the temperature rise and rise and rise these past couple weeks. Of course, the ice cream trucks of the world are booming with business. But before you run out your front door like a kid, think about all of the tasty, diet friendly frozen-treats you can make at home! This recipe from EatingWell Magazine is fantastic and takes advantage of fresh summer fruit. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Makes about 10 (3-ounce) freezer pops

ACTIVE TIME: 10 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 6 hours 10 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

3 3/4 cups chopped seedless watermelon
2 tablespoons lime juice
1-2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup fresh blueberries

1. Puree watermelon, lime juice and sugar to taste in a food processor or blender until smooth.
2. Divide blueberries among freezer-pop molds. Top with the watermelon mixture. Insert the sticks and freeze until completely firm, about 6 hours. Dip the molds briefly in hot water before unmolding.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 29 calories; 0 g fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 8 g carbohydrate; 0 g protein; 1 g fiber; 1 mg sodium; 79 mg potassium.

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With summer in full swing, it’s nice to get out of the house to enjoy a nice meal with your family and friends. My three (yes, three!) sisters visited me last week and we enjoyed several picnics, one in Mt. Tabor park (pictured left). Now, you might automatically start thinking about pasta salad and potato chips, but you can really do a lot more for your taste buds when enjoying the outdoors!

Picnic food can be simple or extravagant. I personally enjoy keeping it on the simple side so I can appreciate my surroundings and company.  By simple I mean fresh and easy to prepare! I go to the market, preferably a farmers market, and buy in season fruit, a loaf of fresh artisan bread, salad mix, a couple wedges of fancy cheese, and a rotisserie chicken. All of these foods burst with flavor and fill you up more than you might think.  Go heavier on the fruit and salad, keep your cheese sampling light, and you have a very balanced and healthy meal! On top of that, you can really take advantage of the location and take a walk or hike in the area for some exercise.

What are your favorite picnic spots and foods? Have you had one yet this year?

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