It's HOT and the perfect week to make N'ICE Cream! Want a delicious, cool treat that you can also count as a healthy snack? Then you won't want to miss Episode 4 of In My Plant-Based Kitchen.

This week I'm answering a question that came in from a viewer -- sugar and sugar-free dessert ideas. We cover:

• some good-to-know facts about sugar and health

• where sugar can be hiding in our modern diets, and why that's a concern

• sugar and fruit/whole foods -- what's the difference?

• tips for enjoying a naturally sweetened diet (be sure to check out the show notes for links to further resources and recipes)

And I do a demo and provide some practical tips for making Blackberry Lime N'Ice Cream -- Here's the recipe (it's SO easy):

Blackberry Lime N’Ice Cream

(pictured above)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped frozen bananas

• 1 ½ cup frozen blackberries, and fresh for serving (optional)

• Zest of 1 lime

• 1 tsp lime juice (or more to taste/as necessary)

In a food processor blend bananas and blackberries until everything starts to come together. Add zest and lime juice and pulse just until everything is incorporated and smooth, being careful not to overprocess. Top with fresh berries if desired.

Serve immediately!

MIX IT UP -- some more recipe ideas for you!

Another really nice version of the blackberry recipe above swaps the blackberries for strawberries and the lime for balsamic vinegar, omitting the lime zest. Delicious!

One of the things I love about N'Ice Cream is how EASY it is to get creative and make different kinds. A basic template to start with looks like this:

• 1 cup chopped frozen bananas (this is pretty standard since it makes the n'ice cream CREAMY - but don't worry, you won't taste the banana since frozen banana has a very mild taste)

• 1 ½ cup frozen berries/cherries/other fruit

• (optional) 1-2 tbsp special additions, like nuts/seeds (or nut butters), chocolate chips or cacao, dried fruit, coconut, fresh herbs such as mint, etc (get creative)

• (optional) 1 tsp

In a food processor blend bananas and other fruit until everything starts to come together, pushing down as necessary. Once creamy add additional ingredients and pulse just until everything is incorporated and smooth, being careful not to overprocess/overheat. Top with garnishes for an extra special touch.

Here are a couple more recipe ideas to get you started:

Mint Honeydew Sherbet with Lime

• 1 cup sliced, frozen bananas
• 2 cups chopped, frozen honeydew melon
• 1-2 tbsp mint leaves
• juice of 1 lime (or more, to taste)
• 1-2 tbsp maple syrup, to taste (optional)

• add a few drops of peppermint essential oil (food grade only) for an extra minty flavour

Mango Orange Sherbet

• 1 cup sliced, frozen banana
• 1 ½ cup frozen mango
• 1 ½ cup frozen orange
• 1-2 tbsp agave syrup (optional)

• add a few drops of food grade orange essential oil
• pulse in some shredded coconut at the end