A festive, colorful, and healthy way to beat the heat this Independence day! These layered ice pops use antioxidant-rich berries, melon, banana and coconut to create an edible version of those patriotic colors. Kids will swoon for these naturally sweetened ice pops (no added sugar in these babies) and a splash of tequila will turn them into a refreshingly boozy treat for the grown ups. Each layer needs some time to freeze so be sure to make these the day before your July 4th celebration.

Red, White & Blue Ice Pops

Makes 12  Ice pops

Layer 1: Strawberry-Watermelon
1 cup whole strawberries
1 cup diced watermelon
½ cup water or coconut water

Layer 2: Banana-Coconut
1 cup canned coconut milk
1 medium banana

Layer 3: Wild Blueberry
1 cup frozen wild blueberries
½ cup 100% apple juice

Combine the strawberries, watermelon and water in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour mixture into popsicle molds, filling each mold 1/3 of the way up. Place molds in the freezer (do not insert sticks yet) and allow to freeze for 20 minutes or until slightly firm. While the first layer is freezing, wash out the blender and repeat process by blending the coconut milk and banana. Pour a second layer into molds with the banana mixture and return to the freezer for another 20 minutes. For the final layer, blend wild blueberries and apple juice until smooth. Fill the popsicle molds to the top with the blueberry mixture and then gently insert sticks and caps of the molds. Return to the freezer and allow to completely freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight.*


Nutrition Per Ice Pop: Calories: 66; Total Fat: 4 grams; Saturated Fat: 4 grams; Total Carbohydrate: 8 grams; Sugars: 4 grams; Protein: 1 gram; Sodium:  7 milligrams; Cholesterol: 0 milligrams; Fiber: 1 gram

*Note – For the alcoholic version, mix 1 tablespoon of tequila with each layer and allow an extra 15 to 20 minutes to freeze between layers. Use different molds or add garnishes of fresh fruit so it’s easy to tell which ice pops contain alcohol.

This recipe was originally featured on the KidBox blog – the Scribble

June is National Dairy Month and Chobani is helping me celebrate! Getting in the recommended 3 servings of dairy per day may seem tricky so here are 5 delicious ways to help your family get more important nutrients including calcium, potassium, protein and vitamin D.


1) Dinner Comeback
Remember this? Have you strayed? Bring back that ice-cold glass of milk with dinner each night. Each 8-ounce glass is 30% of your daily calcium requirement.

2) Cheese Please
Technically it’s 1.5 ounces but many folks aren’t sure what a serving of cheese looks like! As a visual guide, it’s about the size of a 9-volt battery or about ¼ of your smart phone.

3) Summer Snacking
For camp or a lazy day in the back yard, have the kids munch on yogurt for a healthy and satisfying mid afternoon snack. Try out the fun flavors of Chobani Kids with 25% less sugar than other leading children’s’ yogurts.

4) Give Cottage Cheese A Whirl
Add cottage to the blender in your next smoothie – it will boost the protein and make it extra creamy.

5) Healthy Swaps
Make plain yogurt part of your everyday recipes. Swap in yogurt for mayo and sour cream in sauces, dips and dressings. Chobani plain Greek yogurt is made with natural, non-GMO ingredients and has double the protein of regular yogurt.  Extra protein means your go-to recipes super satisfying, like this recipe for crowd-pleasing Summertime Broccoli Salad.


Summertime Broccoli Salad
A tangy yogurt based dressing and some other nutritious ingredients means this salad packs in 10 % of your daily dose of calcium per serving. You can make this salad in advance; it actually tastes better once the flavors have a chance to mingle.

Serves: 8

1 container Chobani Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup raisins
2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, finely diced
3 slices cooked bacon, finely chopped
4 cups finely chopped broccoli

In a large bowl whisk yogurt, olive oil, honey and salt. Add raisins, cheese, bacon and broccoli and toss well. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Per Serving: Calories: 121; Total Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 12mg; Sodium: 171mg; Carbohydrate: 13g; Fiber: 2g; Sugars: 3g; Protein: 6g

You always have time to throw together a homemade dessert with a few pantry staples.

8 ounces white chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup Strawberry Paleo Granola (or another of your favorites)

Melt white chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler. Once melted spread on to a parchment lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with granola and allow to set until the chocolate is hardened. Pop in the fridge or freezer for faster setting.

Nutrition Info Per Serving; Calories: 193; Total Fat: 13 grams; Saturated Fat: 7 grams; Total Carbohydrate: 19 grams; Sugars: 18 grams; Protein: 2 grams; Sodium: 23 milligrams; Cholesterol: 7 milligrams;  Fiber: 1 gram

Another slow cooker favorite for a simple and healthy weeknight dinner. Serve with brown rice or naan bread.

Serves: 8

1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 (15-ounce) can coconut milk

1/2  cup marinara or canned tomato sauce

1 red onion, sliced

2 cloves garlic, sliced

1/2 cup chopped pineapple (fresh or canned)

Juice of one lime

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

2 teaspoons turmeric

1 teaspoon celery salt

 1 teaspoon ground cumin

Cashews, cilantro & lime wedges for serving

Place flour and salt in a large resealable bag. Add chicken and toss to coat. Heat oil in a skillet or slow cooker with a browning function. Shake excess flour from chicken and brown on both sides (it takes about 2 to 3 minutes per side). Add coconut milk, marinara, onion, garlic, pineapple, lime, ginger, turmeric, celery salt and cumin; stir to combine. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. Allow to cool for 10 minutes and taste for seasoning; serve topped with cashews, cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Nutrition Per Serving: Calories: 306; Total Fat: 24g: Saturated Fat: 12g; Sodium: 243mg; Carbohydrate: 9g; Protein: 16g: Fiber: 1g

I always hear the college students I teach talking about how much they love “chicken bacon ranch” pizza so I needed to try this flavor combo for myself.

Serves: 1

1 whole grain naan bread

1 tablespoon ranch dressing, plus more for topping

3 tablespoons shredded part-skim mozzarella

3 ounces grilled chicken breast, diced or shredded

1 slice cooked bacon, crumbled

1/4 cup chopped vegetables (such as sliced mushrooms and broccoli)

Preheat oven to 400F. Place naan bread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread ranch dressing on top and then sprinkle with cheese. Layer remaining toppings and bake for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with additional ranch dressing before serving.

Calories:  399; Total Fat: 18 grams; Saturated Fat: 5 grams; Total Carbohydrate: 19 grams
; Sugars: 3 grams; Protein: 39 grams; Sodium: 785 milligrams; Cholesterol:  105 milligrams; 
Fiber:  4 grams

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A healthy, easy and delicious way to kick off your day!

Serves: 2

1 3/4 cups lowfat milk

Pinch kosher salt

1 cinnamon stick (optional)

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup diced peaches (fresh, canned or dried)

1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar

1/4 cup chopped pecans

Place milk, salt, and cinnamon stick in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium high heat. Stir in oats, peaches, and cinnamon sugar. Reduce heat to medium low and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Serve topped with chopped pecans.

Nutrition Info Per Serving

Calories 342; Total Fat 10g; Carbohydrates 52g;  Protein 13g ; Fiber 6g

An amazing snack for any seasonal fruit! Fruit Leather – kids and adults LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this recipe.

Mango Fruit Leather

2 cups chopped fresh mango  
Juice of 1/2 a lime
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons agave nectar

Preheat oven to 170°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat and set aside. Place mango, lime, sugar, and agave in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for about 7 to 8 minutes, then puree using an immersion blender.* Continue to cook over medium-high heat for an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until thick and syrupy; the mixture should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Pour the hot fruit mixture onto prepared baking sheet and spread evenly into approximately an 8 × 12 inch rectangle. Place in the oven and bake for 3 1/2 hours. Turn off the oven and allow to sit overnight. Cut into strips with a pizza cutter; roll up in a clean piece of parchment paper. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

*If you do not have an immersion blender, puree in a food processor and then return mixture to saucepan.

Yield: 12 strips

Nutrition information per 1 strip
Calories: 36, Total Fat: 0 grams, Saturated Fat: 0 grams, Carbohydrate: 10 grams, Sugars: 6 grams, Protein: 0 grams, Sodium: 1 milligram, Fiber: 1 gram

A decadent but portion controlled treat for chocolate lovers. Fondue is only 30 seconds away.

Serves 4

1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 tablespoons heavy cream

For dipping: sliced bananas, strawberries, animal crackers

Place chocolate chips in a small glass bowl and set aside. Pour cream into a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Pour hot cream over chocolate and stir until smooth and shiny; a mini whisk works perfectly for this. If the mixture seems lumpy microwave in 10-second intervals (stir well in between) until completely melted. Serve with fresh fruit and other favorite healthy dippers.

Nutrition Info Per Serving (does not include dippers): Calories: 75; Total Fat: 6g; Protein: 0g; Fiber: 1g; Sodium: 0mg

Managing three kids on a weekday morning is hectic to say the least! My family loves a good smoothie but we don’t always have time to make one in the blender. We also love Greek yogurt and are forever in search of ways to incorporate some into meals and snacks. I’ve partnered with Chobani to brainstorm five fresh and fun ways to incorporate one of their newest products – Drink Chobani – into a busy family routine.
 
8 Flavors, 5 Ways To Enjoy
Grabbing a bottle of Drink Chobani drinkable yogurt is a portable way to get in more of those tummy-pleasing probiotics. Each serving contains around 200 calories, at least 14 grams of protein and 25 percent of the daily-recommended calcium. Each fun flavor is made with only natural ingredients and real fruit.
 
Sipping is certainly a popular method, but you can also enjoy these beverages in other ways.

1. Use Mango as a dipping sauce for pancakes and waffles in place of maple syrup and save more than 20 grams of sugar per 2 tablespoon serving.
2. On the go after a workout? Grab some Apple Veg to help tired muscles recover.
3. Combine Mix’t Berries with rolled oats in a jar and store in the fridge overnight – breakfast with a protein boost (3g more than low fat milk) will be waiting in the morning!
4. Pack up the new Peach Drink Chobani for a school snack or sip at the office to prevent an afternoon slump.
5. Pour Pina Colada into popsicle molds with chunks of fresh pineapple and coconut chips then freeze.

Mix two teaspoons with melted butter and toss with 3 cups of freshly popped popcorn


Makes about 1 1/4 cups

1 cup freeze dried strawberries (I like Trader Joe’s the best)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt


Place strawberries in a food processor and grind into a fine powder. Add remaining ingredients and pulse to combine. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.


Nutrition per 2 teaspoons
Calories: 20; Fat: 0 grams; Carbohydrate: 5 grams; Protein: 0 grams; Sodium: 19 milligrams;