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Summertime fun for Kids

Now that the kids are home from school, the refrigerator and freezer are constantly opening and closing.  Kids are always looking for a quick snack.  I do the fresh fruit thing, and of course, I  make more smoothies each day than I care to admit.  But, sometimes, a special treat puts an extra big smile on their faces.  I try to have the kids make the treats themselves, seeing the pride of their accomplishment puts an extra big smile on my face.  Melon pops, are super easy,  fun, refreshing and delicious.

Fruits and Vegetables come in a rainbow of colors.  And, like the the Crayola Crayon box, kids can  have a blast playing and creating with color.  For optimal health, eat a variety of fruits and vegetables everyday- Red, yellow/orange, white, green and blue/purple.  Here’s an example of how each color represents a health benefit unique to it’s color group.

Eat Your Colors

Color Group

Health Benefits

Melon Examples

Red

Help maintain heart health, memory function and urinary tract health

Watermelon

Yellow/Orange

Help maintain heart health, vision health and healthy immune system

Cantaloupe, casaba, piel de sapo, sugar melon, yellow watermelon

Green

Help maintain vision health and strong bones and teeth

Honeydew, Crenshaw, horned melon, galia

MELONS  May Provide

  • An excellent source of Vitamin C  (cantaloupe, casaba and honeydew)
  • An excellent source of Vitamin A (e.g., cantaloupe).
  • A source of potassium (e.g., cantaloupe, casaba, honeydew, watermelon).
  • A source of Vitamin B6, folate and niacin (e.g., cantaloupe, casaba, honeydew).
  • A  source of lycopene (e.g., watermelon).
Potassium is an essential mineral that functions primarily in the intracellular fluid by regulating electrolyte and water balance and cell metabolism. It also plays a role in the synthesis of muscle protein from amino acids in the blood.

Frozen Melon Pops

Delicious frozen natural treats that all kids love.

Melon Pops

Ingredients

  • 1 baby seedless watermelon
  • 1 Tuscan melon or cantaloupe
  • 1 honeydew melon
  • Popsicle sticks

Directions

Cut melons in half, and scoop out seeds. Using a small ice cream scoop, spoon out melon balls, trying to get as much of the meat of the fruit as possible. Insert a popsicle stick on the flat part of the ball, and place on a covered plate in freezer for two hours.  Serve immediately or keep in an airtight container in freezer for up to a month.

Fun Facts

  • On average, it takes about 10 to 15 bee visits for proper pollination to grow melons.
  • Watermelons are very helpful in detoxifying the kidneys, lowering body temperature and blood pressure
  • Melons will get softer after they are picked, but they will never get sweeter

In health and Love,

Diana