As summer arrives it becomes important to find ways to keep cool and stay hydrated, especially for pregnant women. While I always encourage women to reach for water I also appreciate that water can be boring and is often not filling. Everyone could use a snack that’s satisfying while providing some nutrition and hydration at the same time!
Enter summer fruit! This is the perfect time of year to enjoy the abundance of fruits that are available. One of my favorites is blueberries.
Blueberries are packed with antioxidants that fight cell damage, plus contain vitamins C and K, fiber, other micronutrients and water. They can be used in so many ways in recipes or simply eaten plain. In the summer, I like to make a blueberry yogurt pop that takes only a few minutes to make and is ready on the go.
Frozen Blueberry Pops
- 1 (16 ounce) container of blueberries, washed
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons honey (again, I always use fresh local honey from the Tanis Apiary in New Jersey)
- 1 ¾ cup plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
- ½ cup granola or crushed cereal of your choice (optional)
- Wooden craft sticks and ice pop molds (or use any ice pop mold kit that you have)
- In the food processor, add the blueberries, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons honey. Pulse until the mixture is mostly smooth but not fully pureed.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the yogurt and the remaining 2 tablespoons of honey until combined
- Fill the molds ¾ full of alternating tablespoonfuls of the blueberry mixture and the yogurt mixture. Use the back of a flat knife to gently stir the mixture within the mold to create a marble effect
- Each mold can be topped with granola or crushed cereal (optional).
- Insert the wooden stick into the molds (you may need plastic wrap to support the stick if not using granola or cereal). Freeze until solid.
- When ready, the mold may need to be run under warm water for a few seconds to loosen.
This recipe can also be made with just the blueberries: Use two 16-ounce packages of blueberries, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and the 4 tablespoons of honey. Follow the same process to prepare the blueberry mixture. Add only the blueberry mixture to the ice pop molds and omit ending with granola or crushed cereal. Insert the wooden sticks into the molds and freeze until solid.
