Summer treat from the farmers market

With summer in full swing, cooling off is always top of mind. There are many ways to beat the heat and stay cool with your family, including going to the pool, taking a mini-vacation to the beach or, our personal favorite, eating a delicious frozen dessert such as a popsicle or ice cream from a local restaurant or specialty shop.

Beat the heat this summer, support a local business and keep the family happy by making homemade popsicles with fresh fruit from your local farmers market. Instead of eating sugary treats with tons of unhealthy sugar and syrups, make your own which are healthier and more delicious.

To get you started here is a simple and delicious recipe for fruit salad ice pops from Martha Stewart that will be an instant cure next time you’re hot and need a sweet fix.

• 1 peach, cut into 1/2-inch slices (1/2 cup)
• 2 kiwis, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
• 3 ounces blueberries (1/2 cup)
• 4 ounces strawberries, hulled and halved (3/4 cup)
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups 100 percent white-grape juice

Arrange some of each fruit in eight 3-ounce ice-pop molds, making sure pieces fit very snugly. Pour enough juice into each mold to just cover fruit. Insert ice-pop sticks and freeze until solid, 6 hours (or up to 2 weeks).

(Editor’s note: The hardest part of this recipe is waiting for them to freeze.)

What are some of your favorite treats to eat when you want to cool off? Tell us in the comments below.