Strawberry Chocolate nICE cream

WHAT’S IN IT

  • 4 medium bananas

  • 8 oz frozen strawberries (2⅓ cups)

  • 2 T pure maple syrup

  • Dash sea salt

  • 1 oz unsweetened dark chocolate, chopped

HOW TO MAKE IT

  1. Peel and cut the bananas into ½” pieces

  2. Lay on a parchment lined sheet pan and freeze for an hour

  3. Transfer to a glass container and freeze for at least 1 more hour

  4. In a food processor combine frozen bananas, frozen strawberries, maple syrup and sea salt. Cover and process until smooth and creamy, stopping processor a few times to scrape down sides.

  5. Stir in chocolate

  6. Serve immediately for soft-serve, or for a firmer ice cream, transfer mixture to an airtight freezer-safe container. Freeze 1 to 2 hours.

WHY IT’s HEALTHY

For starters, nICE Cream is dairy free and has no added sugar. Bananas are a great source of fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese and potassium. Bananas are also a good source of tryptophan, an amino acid that produces serotonin, one of the “happy hormones” as well as antioxidants that help with the release of dopamine, another mood-enhancing hormone. The potassium and magnesium in bananas support heart health. Potassium helps regulate blood pressure to prevent excess strain on the heart muscle. Organic Strawberries are rich in antioxidants, have 149% of daily vitamin C needs, and are a good source of fiber. They contain flavonoid antioxidants (anthocyanin and catechin) which have been associated with lowering the risk for chronic diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disease. Dark Chocolate contains phenethylamine, which triggers the release of pleasurable endorphins and potentates the action of dopamine, a neurochemical associated with pleasure. Regular consumption of dark chocolate is associated with improved cardiovascular health. Maple Syrup has high levels of beneficial nutrients, antioxidants and phytochemicals.