“Summertime is always the best of what might be.”
― Charles Bowden
Ah summer! It is the time of year I try to make the most of everything because soon enough the cold wind will blow and the garden will disappear under a blanket of white…shivers…let’s not talk about that for now! Instead I want to have fun and especially this summer as it is the first summer I have not been working for almost 20 years.
So I racked my brain to figure out what I would like to do to have more fun, and as always for me it is about enjoying sweet treats in summer. And what sweet treat to choose…of course eating ice cream comes to mind and watermelon. I am growing watermelon but started it late so it will be late summer before I see any watermelon. And since I am working on healthy eating habits, it best to only eat ice cream occasionally. So what treat can I enjoy everyday?
You know what came to mind….popsicles! I remember my mom making our own popsicles with a simple mold using juice or her own less sugary Koolaid. So I immediately thought, ‘I can do that’. Make my own popsicles…absolutely. But how to make them tasty and healthy with no sugar. And the plethora of ideas streamed in as I wrote down all the healthy ingredients and combinations.
But first I needed the popsicle molds… so off to the internet for some research.
I found these great molds on Amazon. They had a nearly perfect rating, and were highly rated for filling, freezing and ease of release the most important thing….getting the popsicle out cleanly and easily. And they have a great handle with drip control…which I need. Plus they are BPA free.
So with the molds chosen, bought and delivered it was time to make some popsicles.
The hardest part is deciding what ingredients you want to use. Summer is fruit season so the choices are many. I use any and all organic fruit: raspberries, strawberries, blueberries mango, banana to name a few. This batch is a cup of mango and a cup of raspberries. I tend to use frozen fruit for the pops as I like to eat fresh fruit as a snack.
For liquid I use coconut water or POM brand pomegranate juice. I may also use green tea or coconut milk. Of course use whatever floats your boat. It depends on your favorite foods and any food restrictions. I am keeping it super healthy with no added sugar so no other juices as they are high in fructose. Coconut water has almost no taste and is a healthy alternative to sugary liquids, juices or plain water.
I use a ratio of 2 cups of liquid to 1 cup of fruit. Once you blend it, fill the molds quickly. We found we could fill them almost to the top without any problems.
You can also use a food processor or juicer if you don’t have a blender.
Snap on the tops and put them in the freezer for about 4 hours.
Here is the finished product ready to be removed from the mold. Run it under warm water, twist, pull a little and voilà….
Doesn’t that look yummy. They are so refreshing too. And you can be as creative as you want. I have made raspberry/banana, blueberry/pomegranate, and mango/raspberry so far.
One note: You can see that the popsicle separated and the top is mostly liquid with the blended fruit at the bottom. That is because I delayed getting the molds into the freezer right away as I was taking pictures. Normally they stay blended as they freeze.
I really do enjoy these and they are super sweet just from using fruit. I can’t believe these tasty treats are also healthy for me. I included my recipe below which will fill a six mold set.
[yumprint-recipe id=’2′]
And now for something completely different:
As many of you know, I have been blogging once a month at Vision and Verb. The blog will be closing at the end of the month, and while I am sad, I am grateful for the opportunity to have found my voice again. I have contemplated 
starting a second blog, and now that I have the time, I have gone ahead and done it (with the help of my friend Steven).
I will begin posting next Thursday. While there is not much there yet, you can sign up for a subscription by WordPress, email, Bloglovin or Feedly. I do hope you will join me there too. I do understand that this type of personal blog about life may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you are so inclined I would be happy to see you there.
The name of the blog is Living From Happiness. I also hope to have a Facebook page to go along with the blog soon. So much to do, but I am so excited to continue writing working toward my end goal of writing books.
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Next up on the blog: Monday brings another Native Plant profile with Simply The Best Natives.
I am linking in with Michelle@Rambling Woods for her Nature Notes meme. It is a great way to see what is happening in nature around the world every Tuesday.
I hope you will join me for my posts once a month at Beautiful Wildlife Garden.
As always, I’ll be joining Tootsie Time’s Fertilizer Friday.
I am also joining in I Heart Macro with Laura@Shine The Divine that happens every Saturday.
All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2014. Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.
Donna, the popsicles sound like such a great idea! Thanks for the hints and tips. I’ll have to try it. And I loved your first photo of the berries.
I was amazed at really how simple these were to make Sue…I hope you enjoy them if you do give them a try and share what ingredients you used.
Boy those popsicles take me back to when my children were little. A great idea and now the molds are better-designed I think– I’ve lost track of the old ones so maybe it’s time to buy again. Inspiring summer post!
Absolutely… they have improved the molds. I love things that are yummy, simple, fun and bring me back to a time of play in my childhood. Glad you enjoyed!
What a great idea! I have ordered my Popsicle molds and will start making some for us as soon as the molds come in. Tasty and good for you–that’s hard to beat! Thank you!
My pleasure Florence…
My mouth is watering! P. x
They really are too yummy Pam! And think of all the possibilities!
Yum! I actually buy Edy’s Outshine Bars, which are mostly fruit, but your homemade ones are even better! I love to make smoothies, too–with various fruits, chipped ice, bananas, and skim milk.
Those smoothies sound yummy Beth. I love them too and may make some to freeze as popsicles…such a refreshing treat to eat once I get in from the garden.
This recipe came at just the right time. A throat infection has me desperately seeking something soft and cold. I’m dairy intolerant so ice cream is out and store bought popsicles are way too sweet. I’m picking blueberries and rasperries right now-they will be perfect in popsicles.
Oh Susan this sounds good. I hope the pops will help your throat infection and that you will feel well soon!
Just the motivation I needed to get going! Yum!
Great Andrea. Hope you enjoy them!
They look so good ! Great way to get fruit into people/ children who don’t do fruit but do do ice lollies !!
Absolutely Jane….great healthy way to eat fruit!
I love fruit popsicles. I usually buy them all year because they are healthy, but making your own is even better without the sugar. Also, I have a fruit smoothie each morning for breakfast, a great way to start the day. I may have to get those molds.
You will be glad you did get the molds Donna….I love fruit smoothies too and I will have to keep making popsicles to eat them all year for a fun way to eat fruit.
I was salivating all the way down to the last image of your popsicles Donna. Mmmmmmmm! Perfect for kids too. I’m sure I have moulds like that somewhere in the back of a dark cupboard. It’s to be raining here at the weekend, this would be a perfect past time.
Good luck with your other blog, I’m sure it will be very popular.
Thank you so much Angie…making pops does sound fun for a rainy weekend. Enjoy!!
Donna, what a great idea! I’m not much of a popcicle person, but I think these could change my mind!
Very delicious Loret! You would love them I think.
holy wow, now my mouth is watering!
thanks for that bounty of deliciousness:)
really gorgeous stuff….happy summering to you,
Jennifer
Thanks Jennifer…a healthy bit of yummy fun for summer…bliss!
We were sat out in the garden the other day talking about home made ice lollies (aka popsicles), debating whether you could still get the moulds. Guess that answers that question! I like the idea of healthy ones, great thinking Donna.
I love the name lollies Janet…and yes there are so many molds to choose from these days….have fun and enjoy your lollies!
thanks for sharing this simple but very creative idea, Donna. I had tried to do this in the past but it didn’t work because, I realize now, I didn’t use enough liquid. Coconut water has only recently arrived on the shelves here, and is becoming very popular. I’m going to make popsicles. Although they will be more desirable when the weather gets hotter.
So glad my recipe will help and you can make these again…coconut water is amazing but you can use any healthy liquid you like. Enjoy and I would love to hear how your popsicles turned out and what ingredients you used.
This brought back memories! I used to make similar popsicles when my children were small. Yours look yummy! You have inspired me. I must find my old popsicle molds. And best wishes on your new blog!
Thanks Deb…Have fun making popsicles!
Those look delicious, Donna. I think they would help satisfy a sweet tooth in a healthy manner!
They definitely are a refreshing sweet treat in this heat Beth!