What are your first thoughts when you hear the word “summer?” You could possibly be thinking of soaking up some rays by the neighborhood pool, plastered with sunscreen and an icy cool drink in hand.
Or, if you’re like me, you’re pondering ways to stay inside and keep cool! North Carolina definitely has its hot weather, but I love my home state even though I feel the mountains calling to me right around early August!
Since I definitely prefer cooler weather, I came up with this recipe for a fun fruit smoothie popsicle as a peace offering for all those non-summer lovers like me! If you can’t stand the heat, enjoy it inside with those ceiling fans turned on high.
One of my favorite yard sale purchases in the last couple of seasons was a Magic Bullet for $10, a real steal of a deal! It is a great space saver, and I have embraced making smoothies in the morning since I’m not a big breakfast eater. As a fun treats for summer, try my smoothie recipe and pour the liquid into your favorite popsicle mold (easily found at dollar stores) or into plastic cups.
If you have children, this is a healthier alternative to ice cream or more expensive frozen treats. You can even involve them in the preparation and make a family memory in the process! Buy their favorite fruit and yogurt and let their imaginations soar!
For the featured popsicles, I used strawberries, blueberries, and bananas, but you could use any fresh fruit or even canned fruit as an option. One of my frugal tips is to freeze bananas whole, as they are starting to turn brown and use them in favorite recipes like banana bread and smoothies.
For this version, I used vanilla yogurt, but a lower-calorie option would be to substitute plain. Buy it in the 36-ounce carton for the best unit price. Use whatever milk you have on hand (my family prefers 2 percent).
The recipe below made four popsicles in my Magic Bullet, but I would definitely double or triple it if I pulled out my larger blender. You can certainly adjust the ingredients below to suit your family’s tastes. Enjoy!
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