A Pop of Frozen Coziness

Balmy days of late Spring are giving way to warmer ones despite the occasional thundery storms and rattling downpour which seems to have taken quite the bigger slice of the cake this season. Added to this, the 9-to-5 humdrum of work routine barely leaves a splinter of time to mellow out into the enjoyment of Summer days. And yet, because a girl has got to grab a pop of Summer, a frozen treat merely becomes a well-deserved reward if not a necessity.



I have had my days of store-bought nasties with added gums and sugar along with so-called "natural flavours". Oh, no, I want to enjoy the finer things with a dainty homemade popsicle made with 100% fruit, no added sugar. As easy as blending fruits for a smoothie, these ice pops have literally cozied my heart leaving me wonder why I ever bought the commercial ones in the first place. Pineapple makes a perfect ingredient for fruitsicles as they create a creamy froth when blended at high speed. Pair it with watermelon and you get a unique combination that freezes well into a grainier ice texture rather than a solid block. Isn't it true that sometimes the best of things are just the simplest ones?

4 - 6 fruitsicles (depending on mold size)

2 cups watermelon (cut into cubes)
1 cup pineapple pieces (I used fresh pineapple)
1 banana
4 dates
Handful of frozen blueberries (or other fruits cut into small pieces)

• Add all ingredients, except blueberries, to a blender.
• Blend at high speed until very smooth and slightly frothy.
• Place a few blueberries or fruit pieces into each mold.
• Pour smoothie into popsicle molds.
• Freeze for at least 3 hours before serving.