Day 157: Strawberry & Banana Popsicles (success).

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I recently decided to invest in a ZOKU Quick Pop Maker, as my kids love Popsicles and I was hoping to sneak healthier ingredients into their favorite treat. Since this was our first time trying the Quick Pop Maker, we didn't combine the strawberry and banana flavors into one pop, as this took an additional step with the machine.  We made strawberry ones and banana ones separately, and the kids loved both.  I personally thought there was a bit too much lemon juice in both, particularly the banana flavor, but as you can see, my banana-loving child wasn't fazed!

Strawberry Popsicle Ingredients:
6 ounces hulled, quartered strawberries
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons vanilla yogurt
1 tablespoon milk
2 tablespoons sugar

Combine ingredients in a mini food processor (I used my Magic Bullet machine) until smooth.  Freeze mixture in Popsicle molds for a few hours (or 7-9 minutes with the Zoku Quick Pop Maker!).

Banana Popsicle Ingredients:
6 ounces (about ¾ cup) mashed ripe bananas (this was two small bananas for me)
2 tablespoons milk
1½ tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar

Combine using the method described above -- puree, freeze & enjoy!

Verdict: SUCCESS!

Day 120: Orange Julius Popsicles (success).

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These tasted exactly like the original Orange Julius drink, and brought me right back to my junior high days of hanging out at the mall :)

Ingredients:
6 ounces (thawed) orange juice concentrate
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla

**When I was setting out my ingredients, I accidentally put out plain Greek yogurt too, but that's not included in this recipe.

Our Popsicle molds are missing in action -- and I don't have this awesome Zoku Quick Pop Maker (but may need to get one!) -- so I made some makeshift Popsicle holders with cups and straws taped together.  It wasn't pretty, but it worked!

Instructions:
Whisk all ingredients together until well mixed.  Pour into Popsicle molds (cups, in my case).  To make my Popsicle sticks stand up (in my case, straws), I put tinfoil over the top and poked the straws through.

I froze them for 4 hours, ran some warm water on the outside of the cup to remove the Popsicle, and...

 ...voila!  They were funny-looking, but delicious!

Verdict: SUCCESS!