Page 80 - Summer2009

Growing Wise Kids

CELEBRATE SUMMER WITH A POP!
By Jen Allbritton, CN

Nothing captures the true essence of sum- IRLO 1RWH LW LV KHOSIXO WR ¿UVW OHW WKH PL[WXUH
mer better than sitting on the front porch with a freeze a little before adding the stick so it stays
homemade, nutrient-packed popsicle in hand. It upright.) However, I took the idea a step further.
is best experienced while leisurely soaking in the My husband is handy with tools, so I asked him
warm rays of the sun with toes wiggling in the to cut a slit slightly thicker than a popsicle stick
grass, messy faces, and not a care in the world. LQ WKH MHOO\ MDU OLGV 7KHQ , ¿OHG GRZQ WKH URXJK
After a morning of hard play in the sand- edges with sand paper until smooth. The screw
box or a treasure hunt for rocks and sticks, my top portion of the lid is still able to twist shut,
preschooler adores sitting down for a soothing, minimizing the popsicle’s exposure to air. While
cooling popsicle as a snack or after-lunch treat. glass is certainly the best option for reducing
Even on some of those more care-free days, I your exposure to possible contaminants, it is, of
serve a few of the below recipes as a full meal, course, breakable. So be sure to gradually cool
they are so nourishing! the glass with warm water to loosen the pop in-
side since using hot water might cause the glass
FIRST THINGS FIRST: THE MOLD to crack. See a picture of our creation below. If
For years I settled for plastic popsicle molds you are not handy in the workshop, enlist some
(which are readily available on the internet and friends. Try trading their handiwork for a yummy
local cookware establishments). I’d rather avoid batch of any of these delicious creations and
plastic, but I didn’t they will be more than
Fresh fruit is want to go with- compensated!
one of the out these delight- Don’t want to use
best ways ful summer treats. glass? For some fami-
There is the paper lies, glass is not the best
to celebrate cup option, but I was choice for one reason or
summer. worried about spill- another. There are a few

Berries pack age in my already molds on the market
over-full freezer. made of silicon, which
an especially So one day a friend is a safer material than
powerful DVNHG IRU KHOS ¿QG- plastic. Krystina Cas-
nutritional ing an alternative tella, in her inspiring
popsicle mold, since book titled POPS!, uses
punch she shares my aver- all kinds of unique
compared to sion to plastic. (See molds and even gives
other fruits Why Pass on Plastic Homespun popsicle molds—plastic free! directions on how to
side bar on page 80.) make your own silicon
with their After some searching and pondering, the answer versions. 1
lower sugar ¿QDOO\ FDPH JODVV MHOO\ MDUV² RXQFH RU Regardless of the mold, ingredients will
content and ounce sizes work beautifully! expand while freezing (especially ingredients
For simplicity’s sake, you could just use with more air content, such as a smoothie or a

higher skin- the glass portion for the popsicle, slip in a stick FDUERQDWHG EHYHUDJH VR OHDYH DW OHDVW LQFK
to-pulp ratio. and cover the top with a piece of aluminum at the top. It is best to leave your pops frozen in

78 Wise Traditions SUMMER 2009