Trop Pops!

This summer I made the best impulse buy of my life (okay...maybe I'm exaggerating, but it WAS really a good buy)...a popsicle tray for $1.99 at Zehrs!  I thought, maybe I'd occasionally make a treat for the nieces and nephews when they would come over or something...but once I started, I realized that I could make
HEALTHY frozen treats
that
actually satisfied my craving for ice cream!!!

I love the fun summer themed handles on my popsicle tray.

The secret???

Frozen Bananas.

They are so creamy, and can be blended with just about anything.  So, whenever I have a banana or two that have ripened more than I prefer, I pop them in the freezer to be pureed into the next popsicle batch.

To make delicious, healthy popsicles, just blend together anything that you would put into a smoothie, pour into molds, and freeze (takes about 4 hours).  Don't have molds???  No problem!  Just pour them into small glasses and stick popsicle sticks in from the dollar store.  To hold the sticks in place before freezing, just put plastic wrap over the glass, then poke the sticks through.

But, if you need some inspiration, here's the "recipe" for the popsicles I just made: "Trop Pops".  (Note: measurements are very rough...I just throw whatever looks like the right amount into a bowl, then blend).

Trop Pops
2 frozen bananas (peeled)
1 ataulfo mango (peeled, and cut off the pit)
1 large dollop of coconut yogurt
2 large dollops of plain 2% yogurt
1/2 can pineapple tidbits with some of the juice

Directions: Put everything into a bowl and use a stick blender to puree it.  If you like texture in your popsicles, leave chunks.  (You could also use a regular blender or food processor).  Then pour into molds and freeze.  Wait 4 hours, then eat them.

*makes about 7 popsicles, with some leftover for a delicious smoothie!