It’s the middle of Summer and you may be running out of ideas that are fun for the kids, low in cost and healthy to boot! Here at The Slimming Clinic, we are on week three of our fun-busting healthy Summer guide and we have plenty of ideas to come so fear not! We know how hard it is trying to keep up with achieving everything on your Summer list but it doesn’t have to be, which is why we have collected more of our favourite Summer inspired recipes and activities so you can sit back and relax.
Recipes
Fancy a cool BBQ alternative that will make the kids go back for seconds, and maybe even thirds? Why not try this super tasty jerk chicken kebab recipe with exotic mango salsa, at only 263 per serving! This simple yet colourful recipe uses chicken to pack in lots of healthy goodness. We will definitely be swapping our boring old burgers for these beauties!
Jerk Chicken Kebabs with Mango Salsa
Serves 4
Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Ingredients
- 2 tsp jerk seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lime
- 4 skinless chicken breasts, chopped into chunks
- 1 large yellow pepper, cut into 2cm cubes
- 100g bag of rocket leaves, to serve
- 320g pack mango chunks, diced
- 1 large red pepper, deseeded and diced
- Bunch spring onions, finely chopped
- 1 red chilli, chopped (optional)
- Mix together the jerk seasoning, olive oil and lime juice.
- Toss the chicken in it and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 20 mins, or up to 24 hours.
- Make the salsa by mixing all the ingredients together with some seasoning- add a chopped red chilli if you like extra heat.
- Heat the grill or barbecue to Medium.
- Thread the chicken onto 8 metal skewers divided by the yellow peppers – aim for 3 of each per skewer.
- Cook for 8 mins each side until cooked through and lightly charred.
- Serve with the salsa and rocket leaves.
There is nothing worse on hot Summer days than trying to avoid the temptation of a nice, cold ice cream…However, for you happy, healthy eaters out there, do not avoid the dreaded ice cream this summer and instead try this healthy banana and peanut butter ice cream recipe. It’s the perfect balance of tastiness and healthiness to create a low-fat sweet treat and is so simple to make!
Healthy Banana & Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Ingredients
· 4 ripe bananas, chopped into 3cm chunks, then frozen
· 2 tbsp almond milk
· 1 tbsp organic peanut butter
· 1 tsp ground cinnamon
· 1 tbsp dark chocolate, grated
· 1 tbsp flaked almonds
- Tip the frozen bananas and almond milk into a blender.
- Blend together to create a smooth consistency.
- Add the peanut butter and cinnamon, and blend again.
- Taste and add more cinnamon, if you like.
- Transfer to a freezer-proof container and freeze for 1 hour.
- Take out of the freezer and serve with grated chocolate and flaked almonds sprinkled over.
Activities
Want something fun to do with the kids this Summer but on a low budget? There’s no need to spend this summer in front of the TV or computer, as we have lovingly come up with 4 DIY ideas that involve little cost but lots of fun!
- Mix it up this Summer and create your very own sundae bar, with a healthy twist! Set up camp somewhere in the house with your children and organise to have yummy healthy toppings such as mixed berries, almond flakes and grated dark chocolate. Combine this with a frozen low-fat yogurt for yourself and home-made ice cream for the kids to create an ingenious lunchtime activity that you will all enjoy!
- Get yourself wet, wet, wet by organising a water balloon fight in your garden or street! Place buckets of water balloons and ready-to-go water guns around the garden and your children will have hours of fun! Go one step further and transform your garden into a water battlefield, equipped with DIY barriers and obstacles to make it just that little bit more challenging!
- Why not host a treasure hunt? Pull out the pirate hats and send them on a treasure hunt. Make a treasure map by staining the paper with coffee and burning the edges. Then, have a prize — gold coins — hidden at the end of the journey. Watching their excitement will be just as fun for you as it is for them.
- Want a change of scenery but on a low budget? Take the family to your nearest beach and have a whole day of fun without the cost. Make sure to bring lots of fun activities such as frisbees and sandcastle making equipment to keep the kids occupied all day. Pack up a lunch or bring a BBQ and you can save on eating out as well.
- Plan a day of visiting park fountains and splash pads to keep the kids cool. Each pad is different, providing tots with tons of different ways to play!