The warm weather is still going strong here in Switzerland which means we are continuing to enjoy some cool treats. One of these delectable treats is a new favorite in our home - Banana Peach (N)ice Cream. It's dairy-free, vegan, refined sugar-free, and super yummy.
Why Go Dairy-Free?
Traditional ice cream is really delicious, but it's not tolerated by many people. Over half the world's population, according to some statistics, have difficulty digesting the lactose in dairy products (1). The statistics are higher in different parts of the world. In addition, conventional dairy is full of hormones, additives, preservatives, thickeners, and more. These ingredients are not compatible with true health and vitality.
Not all dairy is created equal, however.
Fermented Dairy For the Win!
While I don't consume unfermented dairy, I have been able to enjoy a LOT of fermented dairy lately. I've been making my own yogurt for many months now as part of the GAPS Protocol. I'm using this protocol to heal numerous chronic health problems I've dealt with. I've had difficulty digesting dairy for most of my life and had gone dairy-free as a result. The homemade yogurt is basically lactose-free because of the long fermentation process making it highly digestible. I'll write more about the program along with my recipe for homemade yogurt in a later post.
Whole Foods Always
What I love about this recipe is that you are using whole foods. There are very few ingredients and all are recognizable by us humans. You'll find no 'artificial ingredients,' no 'natural flavors' (which is code for MSG often) and no wood pulp (AKA cellulose) to beef up the texture of your ice cream (2). You get just a handful of ingredients that your body recognizes and can use for fuel and nutrition. What a concept!
Banana and Peach Dairy-Free Ice Cream
2 bananas
1 peach
1 tsp of vanilla extract
2 tbs of maple syrup (use honey if you are doing Full GAPS)
2 tbs of cashew milk (or other non-dairy option)
Cut the two bananas into pieces and freeze overnight. Cut up the peach into small pieces and put into a pot. Add the maple syrup and vanilla extract and turn the stove to medium. Let the peach soften. If there's not enough moisture from the peach and maple syrup, add a TBS of water or two. Turn down and let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Puree the peach with a hand or regular blender. Place in a silicone cup and freeze overnight. Add the frozen bananas and peach along with the cashew milk to a powerful blender or food processor. I use a Nutri Bullet as it's a small portion. Blend until smooth. It will come out like a soft-serve consistency. If you want something more like ice-cream then freeze for 30 minutes to 1 hour and then scoop like ice-cream. Serve with slices of fresh peach.
It's really amazing how many options we have nowadays to enjoy whole foods that are not only nutritious but absolutely delicious. Once your body is accustomed to real food, it's very difficult to go back.
If you try this recipe, please let me know how it turns out! I'd love to see it. Feel free to tag me at@consciouslivingtoday on Instagram or onFacebook if you happen to give it a go!
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