Faux Ice Cream Base

Here's a quick and easy base for your frozen desserts. Just swap out the creamy ingredient for one of the options below:

• 1 cup cream alternative

• Agave or sugar substitute, to taste

• A small pinch of salt

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Blend well by hand or with a blender or food processor. Stir in your choice of flavor-packed extras like:

• Fresh berries

• Slivered dark chocolate

• Toasted coconut

• Espresso syrup

• Insides of a vanilla bean

Freeze for several hours in a shallow pan, stirring every 1/2 hour. If the mixture becomes too stiff, thaw for 10 minutes before scooping.

Makes 2-4 1/2 cup servings.

Cream Alternatives

The heavy whipping cream used in ice cream is the source of a lot of its fat and calories. Here are some lighter and healthier substitutions:

Basic Custard

Mix low-fat milk with egg yolks and a few teaspoons of sweetener. Stir slowly on low heat until it's the consistency of loose pancake batter. Cool before use.

Avocado

Avocado is very creamy and loaded with heart-healthy fats. Choose ripe ones, which have a milder taste. Add plenty of mix-ins to cut the calories per serving.

Bananas

Bananas are a classic ice cream alternative loaded with natural sweetness and a creamy texture. Freeze solid before use. Blending is easier if you cut them into chunks before freezing.

Yogurt

Everything from Greek yogurt to low-fat varieties can be used. However, thicker or Greek-style yogurts tend to make creamier, less icy desserts. Read the label first. Yogurt is often already sweetened, so you may want to reduce sugar elsewhere in the recipe.

The Best of Big City Life in Phoenix

Apartments in Phoenix, AZ, let you enjoy a healthy lifestyle and plenty of fun under the desert sun. In Element at Deer Valley, our residents enjoy a wide range of amenities in peaceful homes. Contact us today to learn more.

The post Four Healthy Alternatives to Ice Cream appeared first on Element Deer Valley Blog.

Here are some tips for prepping your vegetables and packing a mason jar to keep salads fresh for up to seven days when you start with market fresh ingredients. So pull out the jars and let the cutting and layering begin!

Prep Tips

• 32-ounce mason jars are preferred over the 16-ounce size because it's easier to fill and easier to dump out.
• Mason jars seal tighter so delicate salads stay fresher, longer and won't absorb odors which plastic may.
• If you don't have mason jars, any glass jar with lids that fit tightly will do the trick.
• Squirt lime or lemon juice on avocado before packing to keep it's fresh color, texture, and taste.

Layering Tips

• Layering is the key to crisp lettuce and great taste, making it crucial to put the 1-4 tablespoons of salad dressing at the bottom
• First, add the heartier veggies like carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, peppers, red onion, etc.
• Softer veggies are next — so add a mix of beans, zucchini, corn, mushrooms, asparagus, and sprouts
• For a more filling salad, add a grain or pasta layer — brown rice, orzo, couscous, quinoa are great choices
• Your protein layer will usually be cubed or crumbled cheese, diced roasted chicken, shrimp, or boiled eggs.
• The final, top layer is lettuce, nuts, and seeds – far away from the dressing to stay crispy and crunchy.

3 Unique Mason Jar Salad Combinations

Taco Salad in a Jar – Crisp corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, and romaine lettuce make a great base for a Mexican-inspired salad from Delish.com

Mediterranean Jar Salad – Epicurious brings the Mediterranean diet to an easy to assemble mason jar version of a Greek salad featuring tomatoes, orzo, olives, red onion, and cucumber; and salty crumbles of feta cheese.

Shrimp and Feta Salad – This unique salad will gather your favorites into a refreshing summer-time feast, including savory thyme, cooked shrimp, and chopped avocado.

Martha Stewart Salad Dressing – Explore this list of easy and tasty salad dressings that will kick your mason jar salads into high gear. Just a few ingredients are shaken in a jar and added to the bottom of mason jar salads.

Looking for a new apartment home in Phoenix, Arizona. Element at Deer Valley features a wide choice of floor plans from studio to four-bedroom apartments. Enjoy making your own mason jar salad creations in our lovely, designer kitchens that feature stainless steel appliances and professional flooring.

The post Tips for Perfect Mason Jar Salads appeared first on Element Deer Valley Blog.