This is not just for the kiddos…Although they do love them. We all know the freezer pops from when we were kids. Just the thought of them brings me back to the days of hot summer sun during school breaks. I systematically would eat the purple first, then orange, then yellow, then red. Then the worst. Green. Bleck. It was a dirty job, but somebody had to do it. Then they got really creative and added in blue and pink. Amazing right? WRONG.
Now, years ago I will say these things weren’t so bad because it was just water, sugar and food coloring. In comes all these big agra-business firms and then everything started going to $hit. High fructose corn syrup made from GMO corn, poison food coloring that is turning up positive on allergy tests and linked to behavior problems…the list goes on and on. Am I the only one who noticed that with the rise of all the crap in our food the incidence of cancer and other horrible diseases has risen too? Coincidence? I think not. What I’m trying to say is, if you are buying freezer pops or any kind of popsicle for yourself or your kids…STOP. NOW. If you have any in your freezer, THROW THAT $HIT OUT.
I would never tell you to do something so drastic without giving you some sort of alternative that’s even better than the original. By now you know me well enough to know what I’m going to suggest. Make your own!
This process is so incredibly easy. You are going to need a juicer. If you have been toying with idea of getting one check out my post on How to Choose a Juicer for some help. You could also use a blender. The pops will just have a little more texture but are still amazingly delicious. Did I write a post on how to choose a blender? Heck yes, I did. Read it here. If you have neither then read Blending Vs Juicing to decide which one will suit your needs better and be ready to have your mind blown.
You will also need something to freeze the pops in. I used Zipzicles in this post but you can also use your standard plastic pop makers found in most stores. I prefer to use the reusable pop makers since I am, after all, a greensypants, but I have washed out and reused Zipzicles pouches and you can get a few uses out of them. Zipzicles are BPA free plastic and are reminiscent of those beloved freezer pops you remember as a child. While I don’t use them all the time they are great for when I just want to make a few pops with juice I have left over and my plastic pop maker is occupied and already in the freezer. You can purchase them here.
Now you have your juicer or blender and your containers of choice for freezing your pops. Extract or blend your veggies and fruits and just pour into pop molds. If using Zipzicles, a small kitchen funnel will avoid spilling and swearing.
To maximize the nutrition you are getting from your pops, use mostly vegetables with just a small amount of fruit to sweeten. In the photos you see here, I used beets and kale in the purple pop, kale, pea shoots and lemon in the green pops and carrots and apple in the orange pop. Get creative and use things you aren’t sure if you like. Once mixed with something sweet and frozen it takes on a whole new taste. If you’re really feeling this whole pop thing, cut chunks of fruit and plop those suckers right in there.
If this is for the kids, don’t go blabbing about how you put kale or spinach or something in their freeze pops. Talk about buzz kill. Make them under the cover of darkness and let them try them before you tell them what’s actually in it. They will love it. Keep the secret if you have to. Use colorful veggies to make the pops look vibrant just like the garbage you buy in the store.
Good to knows:
If using Zipcicles, store upright in freezer so they are easier to open and eat. I stand them in my other pop maker tray if it’s empty or if I have one already in the freezer that has a few spots open from pops already eaten. If not I just stand them up in a plastic bowl filled with ice.- Set a timer for one hour after you put them in the freezer. When it goes off take the pops out and give them a shake. They will begin to separate and the more solid parts will sink. This will ensure a nice even distribution.
- Get frisky and add things like hemp seeds or chia seeds. Oh la la.
- If using a blender, add some water to make the pops easier to pour.
Enjoy my little greenies! Until next time…
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Smooches, Nikki
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