Monday, June 13, 2011

Smoothie-sicles

When you buy "fruit popsicles" at the store, do you ever see the skin from the fruit? Rarely. Do you ever see an ingredient list without added sugars? No. That's why, if you can, it's a good idea to make your own popsicles every once in a while. Just buy some popsicle molds (sold everywhere these days!), or use ice molds.

** Keep in mind some companies do make very delicious popsicles with whole fruit and lots of vitamin C, so healthier popsicles do exist! **


The other day I made a smoothie with strawberries, organic frozen blueberries, unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla unsweetened almond breeze and V8 light.


You see all those flecks of skin, packed with phytonutrients (aka plant nutrients)??


This smoothie turned into the most amazing popsicles. Unlike store varieties these were free of added sugars, packed with plant nutrients and only contained 20 calories.


What more can you ask for when you're in need of some healthier late night eats?


QUESTION:
What do you like to eat late at night when you aren't hungry, but you just want to eat something while in "relaxation mode"?

What about snacks to bring to work?



Lately I've been snacking on dessert hummus (picture above), sweet potato chips and highly addictive (and unfortunately slightly high in sodium, at 230 mg per serving) dry roasted almonds. These snacks are so perfect for that mid-afternoon salt and/or sugar craving because they are packed with brain stimulating protein, plus fiber, and in therms of the sweet potato chips, they are loaded with immune-stimulating vitamin A (it's always a good idea to eat foods that will boost your immunity, even during the summer).


22 comments :

  1. oh those popsicles look incredible!

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  2. I was just thinking about doing this the other day! Great idea!

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  3. Your smothie-sicles are a great idea!

    One of my favorite snacks is low-fat string cheese and a few raw, unsalted almonds. So good...

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  4. I would love to meet in Jeffersonville!!! Just tell me when, and I'll be there! :-) Yay! So excited!! :-)

    Gorgeous, gorgeous Popsicle!! I love your idea of making mini popsicles in ice cube trays - I need to try this! :-)

    My current fav work snack is SnapPea crisps - pretty decent nutrition info and ingredients for a chip-type snack, and so yummy and crunchy... :-) and made from peas! Fun! :-) I packed grapes for today too, of course... :-)

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  5. This is a great post for summer! I know a lot of people reach in the freezer case for a box of ice cream bars or popsicles, but with a little effort, it's easy to make your own that are packed full of nutrients! My sisters and I used to make juice popsicles when we were little, but now that I know about the benefits of fruit skins, I should definitely make my own (cheaper, too ;) ).

    If I'm craving a little something for bed, I'll usually snack on a handful of cereal or something easily digestible to help me relax before bed. Works every time :)

    Have a great week, Gina!

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  6. The popsicles look amazing and so much healthier then store bought. Now I am on way way to find out what desert hummus is!

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  7. Oh those Popsicles look really good! I need to get my hands on a tray and start making my own...

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  8. Making homemade popsicles is my new "thing" - LOVE them! I just finished up kiwi lime ones and I need to post the recipe. I have to try adding stevia drops vs. sugar next! Dessert hummus has been on my list to make for far too long now...I'm so intrigued!

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  9. Popsicles would be such a good night time snack when it's warm in the evening. The'd take a long time to eat too which is a plus! I try to much on fruit at night, but chocolate or toast with pb happens too :)

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  10. Yum, these look delicious. I've been getting the strawberry Edy's pops lately so I should try making them!

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  11. I've heard of homemade Popsicles but never smoothie-sicles!! YUM!

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  12. Dessert hummus? This is the first time I have ever heard of such a thing. Genius! Looks delicious!

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  13. I am going to make these smoothie-sicles. Great idea!

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  14. oh my goddd i've been having the SAME obsession with dry roasted almonds!!!!! i love mixing them in a zippy with cocoa roasted or cinnamon almonds because they add a pretty awesome mix of sweet & savs!

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  15. I really need to invest in some popsicle molds!!

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  16. August 7th sounds fantastic!! :-) Hmmmm, is the Jeffersonville you're talking about the one that's about 45min south-west of Columbus? Near Jamestown? If so, that's actually about the same distance from me, just driving in the south-easterly direction for me, so that could totally work! :-) If you're talking about another Jeffersonville on the other side of Columbus, though, I'm totally lost... :-p There's also an AMAZING outlet mall in Monroe, just north of Cincinnati, but I know that's, um, rather far from Columbus... I'm open to all ideas! :-) Columbus is only an hour from Dayton, so I'm happy to drive to the Columbus area if that's easier for you - I'm used to the sprawl of Atlanta where it takes 2 hours just to get from the north to the south side of the city! :-)

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  17. This is such a good idea! I need to get some popsicle molds :)

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  18. Thank you for reminding me about dessert hummus. I am looking for a snack to bring with me to work next week where there will be SWEETS everywhere. I can make this and have a tastier sweet alternative!

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  19. I just bought some popcicle moulds on the weekend. Can't wait to try this out. Thanks Gina!!

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  20. Love popsicles we just had our interns test a bunch of recipes for them. I like that you added almond milk. I was thinking that making smoothie popsicles (with protein) could be a good post-run snack in summer. I have to check out this dessert hummus.

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  21. What a GREAT idea! I'll have to tuck this in my back pocket. For work snacks I like to take a pint of raspberries or blueberries, cocoa roasted almonds or Lara bars...

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