Mood-Enhancing Ice Lollies!!!!!!

After weeks of research and experimentation, our mood-enhancing ice lollies were unveiled at CoolTan Arts' Mad Hatters' Tea Party on Saturday 14th June. We accompanied them with a demonstration and tasting session. We also looked at pre-packed, branded  fruit drinks available in shops and discovered that some contained as little as 10% fruit and lots of unhealthy ingredients such as masses of sugar, glucose syrup, aspartame and saccharine. We found a lot of reports from studies that cited these ingredients as having negative effects on mood and mental health.

Here are  our top 3 healthy, mood-enhancing ice-lollies:
*Strawberry, Rose and saffron 
*Lemon and Herb
*Banana, omega and cardamon

Strawberry Saffron Omega Delight........a luxurious lolly with a hint of rose - reminiscent of Turkish Delight. In studies, ingredients have been found to help alleviate depression. Suitable for vegetarians.

* 1 cup  fresh strawberries  ( low-calorie, vitamins, antioxidents, magnesium for energy, immune support and nervous system) 

*1 cup natural bio-yoghurt either full-fat or low fat according to taste.(probiotics for healthy gut flora)

 * half a cup oat milk ( B-vitamins, Vit-D  calcium for energy,nervous system, sleep healthy bones)

  * 2 tablespoons organic rapeseed oil (omega 3&6 shown to improve brain function and

depression) 

*2 teaspoons rose water (calming and mood-elevating)

*1 pinch saffron (shown to be an anti-depressant)

* 1 tablespoon honey

In a bowl, add the rose water, rapeseed oil and saffron strands. Cover and leave to infuse for 15 - 30 minutes.

De-husk the strawberries and place in a liquidiser or blender. Spoon on top the yoghurt, honey and oat milk (cold water can be used for a very low-fat version).

blend all until all the strawberries are mixed in.

Finally, pour in the saffron-infused oil and rose water and blend again until all ingredients are mixed. This creates a beautiful sunset coloured cream.

Pour carefully into waiting ice-lolly moulds and place in  the freezer to become solid. They are a perfect after-dinner treat and for more luxury and calories can be dipped in chocolate!

recipe inspired by "Omega Mania Ice Lolly" by Dale Pinnock and re-imagined by Jill Newman.

All ingredients were obtained at G.Baldwin & Co. Health Food Centre, 171-173  walworth Rd, se17 except for fresh strawberries bought at East St. market se17 

Lemon Herbal Cooler.......a refreshing low-calorie, calming and sleep-promoting ice lolly suitable for vegans and diabetics.

*A handfull of fresh herbs leaves: Lemon Balm  ( calms anxiety and helps sleep), Lemon

 verbena (calming, mental clarity), Spearmint (mental clarity and helps sleep)

*Juice of one and a half fresh lemons (Vitamin C, bioflavinoids)

*2 tablespoons Xylitol (a natural sweetner made from Birchwood. Suitable for diabetics with the added bonus of promoting healthy teeth and gums) 

In a teapot, make an infusion with most of the herb leaves. Then save a couple of each for later.  Stir well and set aside to cool.
When the infusion is luke-warm, stir in the Xylitol. Leave to cool further.
Then strain the "tea" through a seive into a liquidiser to remove the soggy leaves.
Add the squeezed juice of  the lemons and the left over herb leaves.
Blend well together until the leaves are dispersed. The mixture looks like lemon and limeade with tiny flecks of green (leaves) throughout.
Carefully pour the mixture into ice -lolly moulds and place in the freezer.
When they are frozen they are ready to enjoy!

recipe courtesy of Jill Newman. fresh herbs from a good garden centre, fresh lemons from East St.Market se17 and Xylitol from G.Baldwin&Co 171-173 walworth Rd. se17.

Banana and Cardamon Omega Cream lolly........this recipe works well as a perfectly balanced breakfast on a hot summer's day or a harmonious dessert after a curry. Suitable for vegans and diabetics.
*2 ripe bananas (contains potassium to boost serotonin levels and natural dietary fibre)
*1 teaspoon ground cardamon seeds
*1 cup organic oat milk ( B-vitamins to strengthen nervous-system and vitality)
2 tablespoons organic Rapeseed Oil (contains omega 3 and 6 which are daily essentials for complete body and mind health. Studies have shown that omega oils help prevent depression)
*1 dessertspoon Honey optional (for taste) but as bananas are naturally high in fruit sugar this isn't necessary.
In a blender or liquidiser, break the bananas into pieces.
Next, sprinkle the on cardamon  .
Spoon  on the rapeseed oil.
 Finally, pour on the oat milk and then the optional honey. 
blend all the ingredients together until a pale yellow, smooth, bubbley  and creamy mixture.
Pour carefully into ice-lolly moulds  and place in the freezer until frozen through.

recipe courtesy of Jill Newman. Bananas from East St. Market walworth Rd. se17. All other ingredients from G.Baldwin & Co. 171-173 Walworth Rd. se17.