I debated about this title – the “healthy” part. I don’t like how gluten-free and other grain-free diets often focus on desserts. And just taking the grain or sugar (or in this case, corn syrup and artificial dyes and flavorings) out of something doesn’t make it “healthy.” But, the only possibly unhealthy ingredient in this is honey. This is because honey is still a sugar, be it a less processed and more easily digested sugar. Since I only use raw honey, which has enzymes and probiotics, and because there are health benefits to eating honey, the title stands.
Today is my son Christopher’s last day of school. Christopher has autism and along with that comes a special diet and a ton of food allergies. His school is having a water day and BBQ, and they’ll be having hot dogs and water ice. Sending in an all-beef nitrate-free organic hotdog isn’t a big deal. The water ice? A little tougher.
I usually just send in one of his usual other snacks, but this time I really wanted him to be able to have something like everyone else was having. I looked for recipes for something like this – which is what I first do when I attempting to make my own version of something. Always helpful to have a base, and then modify as needed. But I couldn’t really find anything. I’m sure recipes like these are out there. But I kept getting smoothies, popsicles, and sherbet (which, incidentally, I ALWAYS thought it was sherbert until the spell-check for this). I did find a few recipes, but they all had sugar. So, I thought I’d give it a go on my own.
I was seriously surprised by how good this turned out. It not only tasted great, it has the exact consistency of the water ice that I knew and loved growing up. I had my husband buy peaches. Christopher is allergic to grapes and red berries, so our options are limited. I guess lemon would have worked too – maybe I’ll try that next! But, feel free to make whatever flavor you like.
The first thing I did was fill a 12 oz. cup with crushed ice from the dispenser on the fridge and dump it in the Vitamix. Then, I threw two pitted peaches on top. Next, I filled another cup of crushed ice and dumped that on top. Then I took a soup spoon and globbed in 2 big blobs of raw organic honey on top. Then, I blended on high, mashing with the Vitamix masher until it looked thick and smooth.
I was expecting to have to tweak it with more ice or peaches or honey (the only ingredients haha), but it actually came out perfect. I poured it into a glass bowl and then put some in a Jelly Jar
For those of you who want a recipe you can print and share (and doesn’t use words like blobs and globbed), here it is:
Ingredients
- 24 oz. crushed ice (you can probably start with cubes, but you’ll likely have to blend more)
- 2 peaches, pitted (or fruit of your choice)
- 2 TBS. Raw Organic Honey
Directions
- Put all ingredients in a Vitamix
(or blender)
- Blend on high until smooth and thick
- Put into freezer safe container
- Freeze overnight
- Let sit 15 minutes before serving
- Enjoy!
The best part about this was that it totally passed the kid YUM! test. This is absolutely not a given! I will prepare homemade meals for hours that I think turned out perfectly only to be met with a “This looks ‘scusting!” If you give the water ice a try let me know how it turned out, and what flavors you used.
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My autism journey has changed the way I live and care for my family. I am passionate about nontoxic products, natural remedies, grain-free nutrition, essential oils, and healing the symptoms known as autism. This is a space for anyone aspiring toward cleaner, healthier living.
XO Joanna
