Make Your Own Healthy Popsicles to Stay Cool this Summer!

Summer is in full swing and the weather is heating up! One of the best ways to enjoy a summertime treat is with some tasty popsicles! The downside -- many store-bought popsicles are LOADED with added sugar, preservatives, and dyes that make them not always the best choice for keeping kids and adults healthy. The upside -- you can make healthier versions at home that are just as delicious and a lot of fun to make! Read on to get a few recipes from our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Minty Watermelon Popsicles

3 cups watermelon slices, divided
1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves
1 ½ cups coconut water
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon honey

1. In a blender, puree 2 ½ cups diced watermelon pieces, mint leaves, coconut water, lime juice, and honey. Cut the remaining ½ cup watermelon slices into ¼-inch cubes.
2. Evenly divide the diced watermelon into the molds, tapping them down to the bottom.
3. Stir the popsicle mixture then evenly divide it among the popsicle molds.
4. Insert the popsicle sticks, if it does not stay in place use a piece of tape to hold them into place. Freeze for at least 6 hours, or overnight.

RECIPE SOURCE

Fresh Fruit Popsicle

Ingredients

2 Kiwis
2 Peaches
1 cup Strawberries
1/2 cup Raspberries
1/2 cup Blueberries
2 cups Apple Juice

Instructions

1. Peel and slice the kiwis and peaches into 1/4" slices. Slice the strawberries into thirds.
2. Carefully press the strawberry, kiwi and peach slices against the sides and bottom of each mold. Add blueberries and raspberries to fill any gaps as you go.
3. Use a popsicle stick to press the fruit against the sides of the mold. (So you'll be able to see it better when the juice freezes.)
4. Add as much fruit as you can fit into the mold, continuing to press it against the sides
5. Fill the molds with apple juice, leaving about 1/4" of space at the top for the juice to expand when it freezes.
6. Insert a popsicle stick in the middle of each popsicle, between the 2 layers of fruit.
7. Freeze the popsicles overnight (or a minimum of 4 to 6 hours).
8. Run the molds under hot water to help the popsicles release.

RECIPE SOURCE

Tropical Fruit Pops

Ingredients

4 oz frozen mango
4 oz fresh pineapple
4 oz frozen strawberries
1/2 banana or 2-3 oz extra berry, mango, or pineapple
1 cup unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk
1/4 cup fresh orange juice (lemon or lime juice work great too)

Instructions

1. Combine mango, pineapple, 1/2 cup almond milk, and 2 TBSP orange juice in you blender and blend until pureed.
2. Pulse honey in at the end for best results
3. Set mixture aside by pouring into in a measuring cup with a pourable spout, if you have one.
4. Next, add strawberry and banana (or 2-3 extra ounces of your fruit of choice) to the blender with 1/2 cup almond milk and 2 TBSP orange juice and blend.
5. Pulse in honey at the end and set aside.
6. Using about half the mango-pineapple mixture, pour a little into each pop mold.
7. Top with your strawberry layer then repeat with the remaining mango mixture.
8. Insert a pop stick into each mixture and swirl together. You can also pop the mold into the freezer between each layer for a pretty striped pop. I go the easy swirl-y route, haha!
9. Leave a little bit of empty space at the top of each pop mold, pops will expand when they freeze.
10. Freeze until solid: Approx. 5 hours or overnight.

RECIPE SOURCE 

Central Ozarks Medical Center wishes you and your family a happy, safe, and healthy summer! Enjoy these tasty recipes and have fun making them with the family! If you need to make an appointment with us, feel free to give us a call. Our clinics are committed to the highest level of care for all patients!

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