Beat the Heat [3 post workout popsicle recipes]

Summer is well and truly here and no doubt you are enjoying a bit of a break, sun and many BBQs with all the public holidays we’ve just had! It’s almost time for most of us to really get into 2017 and get back to reality.

Reality will also generally mean getting back into (or starting) an exercise routine, especially as we all set those health related New Year’s resolutions. With the heat of summer it can be difficult to find a post workout snack that will also help keep you cool, sometimes a protein shake just doesn’t cut it, so I’ve created three different post workout popsicle recipes for you to try!

Whether you are a strawberries and cream, chocolate mint or plain chocolate person through and through, I’ve got something for everyone! I’ll take one strawberries and cream, some sun, a good book and a beach thanks 😉

All three of these post workout popsicles made with the goodness of dairy comprise a whole host of good for you nutrients including calcium, potassium and protein. These nutrients are vital for the health and maintenance of your body. Protein is super important in a post workout snack or meal as helps recovery and repairs the muscle tissue that you have used when exercising. If you want to bump up the protein content even further you could also add some protein powder to any of the popsicle recipes.

I’m sure you will all know that milk and other dairy products are loaded with calcium which is good for our bones, but did you know that we also need potassium to help maintain fluids in the body (fun fact: potassium works as an electrolyte in the body).

Chocolate Chip Mint Popsicle Recipe
Ingredients
Makes 3 Popsicles

3/4 Cup  Plain Unsweetened Yoghurt
1/4 Cup Milk
3 Drops Green Food Coloring (optional)
1/2 Cap Peppermint Essence
3 Squares Dark Chocolate Chopped into small pieces
3 Teaspoons Maple Syrup
Additional Chocolate for drizzling on top (optional)

Directions
1. Chop the chocolate into small pieces
2. Add all the ingredients (except about 1 square worth of chocolate) to a bowl and combine.
3. Pour into popsicle molds.
4. Sprinkle the remaining chopped chocolate over the top of the popsicle mold.
5. Freeze
6. If you want chocolate drizzled on the top take the popsicles out of their mould once frozen and set on a baking tray with baking paper, drizzle the melted chocolate over top and return to the freezer to harden immediately.

Approximately 120 calories per popsicle

Strawberries & Cream Popsicle Recipe
Ingredients 
Makes 5

2x Strawberry Greek Yoghurt (180g pottles)
90ml Cream
1/2 Cap Vanilla Essence
4 Large Strawberries

Directions
1. Chop the strawberries into small pieces
2. Add all the ingredients to a bowl and combine.
3. Pour into popsicle molds.
4. Freeze

Approx 120 Calories per Popsicle

Fudgsicle Recipe
Ingredients
Makes 4

1 Cup Milk of your choice
1 Tablespoon Dark Cocoa Powder
1 Cap Vanilla Essence
4 Teaspoons Maple Syrup
Chopped Nuts (peanuts or pistachios) (optional)
2 Squares Melted Chocolate (optional)

Directions
1. Chop the nuts into small pieces (if using)
2. Add the milk, cocoa powder, maple syrup and vanilla essence to a bowl and combine.
3. Pour into popsicle molds.
4. Freeze
5. Melt the chocolate (optional)
6. Once frozen, remove from the molds and place on a baking tray with baking paper on it. (if adding chocolate and nuts)
7. Pour the chocolate over the ends of the popsicles and quickly sprinkle with the chopped nuts.
8. Return to the freezer immediately.

Approximately 50 calories per Popsicle (excluding toppings)

~~ WIN ~~ Competition now Closed & Winner has been contacted!

To be in to win a Prezzy card valued at $150, simply comment below and let me know which popsicle you would most like to try (it can be one of my recipes, or something else you would make yourself!).

This post was made possible thanks to Fonterra.

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