Popsicles always make me reminiscent of my childhood summers. Growing up in the Midwest, the temperature would reach triple digits, I would eat 4-8 freeze pops a day! I was a popsicle monster!  Of course, 20 years ago my parents weren’t as aware as  parents are now a days. Parents now know how unhealthy store-bought freeze-pops really are.  

Popsicles are a great way to cool down, and both kids and adults love them in the summer! So, I wanted to give you a few recipes to try at home that are easy, healthy, and delicious! These recipes will keep your body, and your kid’s body safe! Every time you choose to feed your kid real food, instead of heavily processed food, you are making a better tomorrow for not only them, but also the world they will grow up in!

Three Delicious recipes for you:

Strawberry Watermelon Freeze Pops

This one is for those of you with a sweet tooth! This is the perfect natural substitute for those sugary pops! Nothing but natural sugar here! If you don’t dilute this recipe with water it will be very sweet, just what kids love in the summer, and the best thing is, it’s all natural real sugar! Nothing fake in this recipe! This should make about 5-6 popsicles.

Ingredients

• 2 cup of watermelon (or about 1/4 a small watermelon)
• 1 lemon
• 10-14 strawberries

Directions

1. Remove any black watermelon seeds.
2. Blend ingredients together in a blender.
3. Taste to the mixture to make sure you like it.  You can add a little water if the mixture is too sweet for your taste.
4. Pour into ice pop molds and freeze for 4-6 hours.

Red Mango Chia Popsicles

This recipe not only will look tasty, but it will be the embodiment of your summer cool off! Refreshing mangos and strawberries are combined to make a delicious and nutritious snack! We even added in carrots ad chia seeds to this mixture just to add some more nutrients that your kids body will love!  This recipe will make about 10 (3 ounce) popsicles.

Ingredients

• 1 ¹/₂ cup of strawberries
• ½ of a large carrot or 5 small carrots
• 1 ¹/₄ cup of coconut water
• 1-4 teaspoon of honey
• 4 teaspoon of chia seeds
• 1 ¹/₂ cup mango of pieces (or about 1 mango)

Directions

1. Add strawberries (fresh or frozen) and half of the coconut water to a magic bullet or food processor of some sort.  Add honey to taste. Add 1 teaspoon at a time until desired sweetness is achieved.  Stir in 2 teaspoons of chia seeds.  Set aside.
2. Blend the mango (fresh or frozen) and carrots with the other half of the coconut water in a magic bullet, blender or food processor.  Taste the mixture and blend in honey to desired sweetness.  With a spoon, mix in the remaining 2 teaspoons of chia seeds.
3. To achieve a marbled look, interchangeably pour each fruit mixture into popsicle molds and freeze until set. (Usually 4-6 hours.)

Creamy Lime Pops

If you’ve been having trouble getting your kids to eat their greens this recipe will be perfect for you! We snuck in spinach to give this popsicle a superfood boost! This recipe should make about 5-6 popsicles.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups pineapple (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 banana
• 3/4 cup coconut milk
• 1/2-1 cup spinach
• Zest and juice of 1 lime

Directions:

Puree all ingredients in a blender until completely smooth. Pour into your favorite popsicle mold and freeze 3-4 hours, or until completely solid. If you’d like to add a fun white rim to your popsicles, when you pour, leave about 2 inches empty. Let your pops freeze for about 2 hours and then add coconut milk and fill the remainder of the mold. This will really complete the Key Lime look!

Have fun and tag @makes3organics and #organicforeveryone with your photos and experiences!

Love,

Nikki