GUT-APPROVED Ice Cream!

Spring is here! And if you live in the south (like me), you know it will be HOT way too soon. Even though it's only March, we got the kiddie pool out this weekend for the kids (high was in the 80s!). If you're having a sweet tooth and/or hankering for something cold, sweet, and creamy during this warm season, but don't want to sabotage your success, you may want to try my paleo ice cream! (Vegans: omit collagen peptides and replace with favorite vegan protein powder--or nothing, and VOILA! It's vegan!) It's full of healthy fats, and provides a moderate amount of protein and fiber (although watch out for the sugar content in this one, because this one is a little higher than usual for things I like to make--although it is natural and made with dates)

I will include a recipe for the "base", and you can pretty much add whatever you like to it after that! My favorite is chocolate, because I LOVE ALL THINGS CHOCOLATE, but you could certainly get creative! If you're feeling super fancy, you could even make a "shell" for it by melting 1tbsp coconut oil & 1 tbsp cacao powder, and pour over top of the ice cream. I only make a little bit at a time because it takes a while (about 15-20 minutes) out of the freezer to soften up, and I simply lack the patience to wait any longer than that. You could also make these into popsicles--which I do for my kids!

Click here for video on how I make CHOCOLATE Paleo ice cream!

ICE CREAM BASE:

1/2 cup Coconut cream

*Date paste of 4 dates (see how to make date paste below)

1/2 avocado (OPTIONAL, for added health benefits and creaminess)

1 scoop EITHER Collagen peptides OR your favorite protein powder (OMIT collagen peptides for vegan recipe)

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Dash of Sea salt

FOR CHOCOLATE:

Add 2 tbsp cacao powder

FOR VANILLA:

Instead of ONE, add TWO teaspoons of vanilla extract, OR scrape seeds from fresh vanilla bean (<<best way, but not as convenient)

Omit avocado (unless you are just a real avocado lover! But I prefer it without for this one)

FOR STRAWBERRY/OTHER FRUIT:

Throw in a handful of fruit!

FOR COFFEE:

Refrigerate the can of coconut cream first, and only use the cream off the top (not the water on bottom--it will separate in fridge), add 1/4 cup bold, room temperature or cold coffee, and about 1 tbsp coffee bean bits OR cacao nibs (OPTIONAL)

*Date paste: De-pit 4 dates, and add to a bowl. Cover the dates with boiling water, and allow them to sit for at least an hour to soften. Puree them, using about 3-4 tbsp of the water this time, until smooth.

MACROS for 1 serving (4 servings per container) (just the base):

Calories: 171; Fat: 9.4g; Sat fat: 6.6g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 82.6mg; Potassium: 262.6g; Carbs 19.4g; Fiber: 3.5g; Sugar: 13.3g; Protein: 4.4g