My kids are different than a lot of kids in that they've been pretty much fed real, grain-free, not-processed food from scratch most of their lives. My oldest was 2 when we went on the GAPS diet to get rid of his weird food sensitivities to cinnamon and walnuts and we've been mainly on a grain-free diet (Paleo) since. My youngest has always been this way. Sure, we eat gluten-free baked goods and corn on occasion, but a good 80% of their diets are grain- and dairy-free.
I've never found it particularly hard to feed them this way, and for the most part they've been ok with it too. It's gotten a bit harder as my oldest entered elementary school and sees his friends eating certain things that he can't, but that's when I really relax on the grain-freeness and seek out gluten-free options that are similar. Like for example, last week my son had a Valentine's Day party at school where they decorated sugar cookies and had cheese and crackers. I brought in some Simple Mills almond flour crackers and gluten-free sugar cookies for him and let him eat some of the Hershey's kisses and conversation hearts and he was as happy as could be.
Do we see effects from letting him eat processed gluten-free food and sugar? Sometimes. I do notice him getting a bit more hyperactive and he doesn't seem to think as clearly, but to me it's a matter of balance when it comes to kids. I don't want them leading a life devoid of kid things or feeling like outcasts but I also don't want them to be unhealthy.
That's why I often experiment with recipes that are packed with nutrition but can be easily passed off to my kids as a kid-friendly food. Like this blueberry “ice cream”. Is it really ice cream? No. It's a mixture of coconut cream and frozen blueberries with an avocado to make it creamy. But they don't know that. They just see this beautifully colored purple, yummy looking cold dessert/snack coming towards them and smile!
It's also not heavy on the sugar. It only uses 2 tbs of maple syrup over 4 servings. Otherwise it's just the blueberries lending a natural sweetness. So I can feel really good serving this to my kids as either a dessert OR a snack.
It literally is one of those recipes where you dump a bunch of stuff into a blender and blend, so it also doesn't get much easier than this. You can serve it as is, which is what I usually do when it's a snack, or you can add some fun toppings like shredded, unsweetened coconut or Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips (they are dairy- and soy-free). I did also add some India Tree Naturally Colored Sprinkles on the ice cream pictured, but they do contain a bit of corn and soy, so not necessarily a Paleo option but one I let slide for the kids again keeping with the balance thing.
2 Minute Dairy-free Blueberry Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 5.4 oz can coconut cream
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 2 tbs maple syrup
- 1 avocado
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional toppings: Enjoy life Chocolate Chips, Coconut Flakes, India Tree Naturally Colored Sprinkles
Instructions
Blend all of the ingredients in a blender until smooth, about 30 seconds. Serve immediately.
It’s the best when you’re reading a recipe and you have every single ingredient in the kitchen! Totally making this after dinner!
Oh no way! I have 2 freezer bags of Michigan blueberries we picked last summer that will work perfect for this! We pick about 80 pounds every summer!
This looks so good and creamy! I love the heathy fats combined with just a little sweetener. I know my toddler will love this! I’m definitely going to try it!
Thanks Jessica! I hope you guys enjoy 🙂
Ooh, I was expecting banana–fun to see coconut cream and avocado instead! This looks amazing.
Thanks Becky! Bananas would definitely be cool, but yeah, wanted something a bit different.
What an easy, fast and yummy treat! I think even the hubby could make this one, lol.
Haha! Love that. You’ll have to give him the recipe and see what he does 🙂
Never heard of India Tree Naturally Colored Sprinkles before! Interestinggggg.
I love me some sprinkles so had to find SOMETHING to use! haha
the texture on this looks incredible, definitely making this today. My son is a blueberry monster, and I bet he’ll LOVE this! Thank you!
What is it with kids and being blueberry monsters? oh well, I’d rather that than a sugar monster 🙂
Oh yum! This sounds delicious! I love how easy this is to make too!
Thanks Emily!
I’ve done this with bananas but not blueberries. Can’t wait to try it.
Hope you enjoy!
I need to look into those sprinkles! I wonder if I can get them in Canada… This ice cream looks amazing by the way 🙂
Thanks Erin! I hope you can get them, they make things much more fun 🙂
Oh my goodness ! It takes only 2 minutes ? I’m in !! :))
Two minutes, including gathering your ingredients 😉
I love the color of this beautiful treat!
Thanks Hannah!
This looks so delicious and refreshing!
Thanks Carrie!
I have everything I need to enjoy this right now, plus you can’t beat an ice cream that only takes 2 minutes!
That’s one reason I love this recipe – I always seem to have what I need on hand.
Been dying to make ice cream with coconut cream! Love this and can’t wait to try!!
Hope you enjoy!
Is this Whole30 approved?
Hey Tammy – unfortunately not because it includes maple syrup. But I think if you remove that and don’t add the chocolate chips and sprinkles it would be. Maybe call it a “smoothie bowl” instead of “ice cream” though, since you aren’t really supposed to be re-creating treats on Whole30 either. 🙂
This looks incredible! What ripeness should the avocado be? Totally ripe, medium ripe, or paleo chocolate mousse pretty hard with only a slight spring to touch ripe?
Thank you!
Every time I’ve made it I’ve used either totally ripe or medium ripe avocados. However, I’d imagine a blender would do a good job with slightly ripe ones as well. So I guess all of the above? How’s that for the most ambiguous answer ever, haha 🙂
Perfect! Thank you! ?
What would you suggest to substitute for the avocado.? I’m not a big fan of them.
Do you not like them because of the taste? I ask because you don’t taste it once you mix everything together. But I think you could use a banana instead and still get a somewhat similar texture.
Does this freeze well?
That is a great question – I’ve never had the opportunity to freeze it because we eat it all each time. I’m thinking probably not, at least I’d imagine the texture would be different once frozen and thawed somewhat. If you do go ahead and try it please let me know how it comes out!