Popsicles Beat the Heat, Naturally
One hot Southern California summer, Jessica Gavin, a food science whiz and author of “Easy Culinary Science for Better Cooking,” wanted a refreshing, yet healthy snack for her toddler. Plagued by the artificial colors, flavors, and unnecessary preservatives present in most commercial popsicles, Gavin decided to whip up batches of her own. Now, seven years and an additional child later, this healthy food habit has transformed into a cherished family tradition.
Incorporate Kids into the Process
Gavin believes that the charm in this endeavor lies in its simplicity. It’s an activity where you can loop in your children. Within a few hours, you can create, freeze, and enjoy these popsicles together. Her repertoire of flavors, which sound eerily similar to produce from a fancy store, include minty watermelon, peach-strawberry yogurt, blackberry lemon, and orange-mango coconut.
The striking difference lies in the essence of her popsicles. Each popsicle contains five or less ingredients and absolutely no high-fructose corn syrup — a common ingredient in many unhealthy snacks. Gavin’s formula for most recipes involves blending pureed fruit with either Greek yogurt or coconut milk and a dollop of honey to sweeten the deal, dependent on the fruit’s inherent sweetness.
Take it from the Experts
Kacie Barnes, a nutritionist based in Dallas, takes a similar approach for her homemade popsicles. She seldom adds sweetener, given that many fruits come naturally sweet and kids tend to devour more than one popsicle at a time. For her simplest pops, Barnes mixes 100% fruit juice with a smidgen of unflavored collagen protein powder, resulting in a subtle shot of nutrition.
To introduce your kids to new flavors, Barnes recommends juice blends containing vegetables, but be sure to verify there’s no added sugar. With this method, your children can experience flavors such as carrot or beet, which they may not regularly consume.
Making Popsicles at Home
If you’re worried about the necessary equipment, fret not. Various types of popsicle molds can be found online. However, Gavin and Barnes assure that it’s still doable without any special gear. Small paper cups or ice cube trays serve as makeshift molds and you can replace traditional sticks with miniature spoons.
Don’t Be Fooled by Texture
Before diving into this homemade popsicle adventure, it’s crucial to keep expectations real. Gavin points out that these homemade popsicles might differ from their supermarket counterparts in both texture and flavor. The homemade versions are icier as they lack stabilizing ingredients and freeze slower compared to mass-produced varieties in industrial flash freezers.
But, Gavin admits, children are unlikely to care. Besides, it’s quite a thrill knowing that these delicious popsicles are not just fun to eat, but also genuinely healthy.
Let’s Get Started!
Here are two recipes to kickstart your summer popsicle-making journey.
Jessica Gavin’s Minty Watermelon Popsicles possess a tangy twist and are surprisingly simple to make. All you need are watermelon slices, fresh mint leaves, coconut water, lime juice, and honey.
Kacie Barnes’ Orange Creamsicles, combining a banana with Greek yogurt or coconut milk, orange juice, orange zest, maple syrup, and vanilla extract, are a flavor bomb in every lick.
Remember, you’ll need to freeze these mixes for a minimum of six hours before they’re ready to enjoy. Who said healthy and delicious couldn’t go hand in hand? Now, let’s bring out those sticks and start freezing. Happy summer!