Strawberry Lemonade Popsicle

Popsicles are the ultimate summer treat for kids of all ages, and you know it - even for big kids like me! When I was growing up our dad always had popsicles for us in the summer. I have to say, we were pretty lucky. We usually had the Popsicle brand ones, you know the ones - they had two sticks and you could break it in half so you really had two popsicles in each wrapper. I don't remember my brother, sister and I fighting too much over who got which flavour, but I do remember that there was pink, purple, orange and lime green. Thinking back now I also have no clue what flavor the pink one was. Was it cherry, strawberry or raspberry? Hmmm.... I have no idea! Anyway, there really wasn't much nutrition in those popsicles, it was after all, just sugar, water and food colouring, but we loved them anyway!

Here we are today and I know so much more about health and nutrition. If you can make a treat more healthy, then why not? I would argue that you could actually serve these popsicles for breakfast. It's basically a smoothie frozen into ice pop molds, and that's pretty healthy because the only ingredients are strawberries, banana, lemon juice and greek yogurt. So you can call it a smoothie on the go! But I don't really recommend grabbing this for your morning commute, I won't promise that you won't drip on your drive! Yikes!

With popsicle molds available just about everywhere these days anyone can make healthy and delicious ice pops at home. No fancy equipment or techniques required, just good food and some sticks. I posted two methods in the Instructions because you can whip them up in a flash in a blender or mix them by hand in a bowl, both methods work great. The blender is easier and faster but sometimes the cleanup is more work. The by hand method takes a little elbow grease but then the clean up is quick.... I'm actually divided on this one!

INGREDIENTS

- 1 1/2 cups of hulled and cut strawberries
- 1 ripe banana sliced
- 2/3 cup plain or strawberry yogurt
- juice of 1/2 lemon


DIRECTIONS

Blender Method

1. In a blender mix strawberries, banana, yogurt and lemon juice for 3 seconds and stop... look and see if the strawberries are chopped, you just want to to start to blend without turning it into a smoothie
2. Blend for 3 more seconds if needed
3. Pour into ice pop molds and pop in the freezer until frozen


By Hand Method

1. In a bowl smash strawberries and banana with the back of a fork until they're smooshed into pieces
2. Add yogurt and lemon juice and stir
3. Pour into ice pop molds and pop in the freezer until frozen

Makes 8 3oz ice pops

Serve frozen and enjoy!