Summer fruit smoothies and popsicles

How many summer fruits can you get into one ice cold, creamy treat?

When my now-nine year old was a toddler, he was almost impossible to feed.  He wasn't picky— he ate a surprising variety of foods for his age.  He just didn't like to eat, and would eat only tiny amounts at a sitting.  Given the choice, he would have happily lived on a diet of water, milk, and juice.

It was in those years that my husband and I perfected the smoothie.  While it's not a substitute for "real food", it was a life saver when our son went through a phase in which he just didn't want to eat.

Our smoothie recipe is still a hit with him, and has become a favorite for his little sister as well.  We use a combination of fresh and frozen organic fruits, plain organic whole milk yogurt, a little milk to adjust the texture, and if the fruit is somewhat tart, we sweeten it with a very small amount of sugar.  I like to freeze summer fruits that I buy at the farmers' market for use throughout fall and winter, but store bought frozen fruit works great too when I run out (as I inevitably do).

My kids have no idea what a packaged popsicle looks like.  And their friends actually think it's "cool" (for now anyway) that I can MAKE popsicles.

I generally make an extra large batch as well and freeze the leftovers into popsicles.  My kids are so accustomed to this treat that they have no virtually idea what store bought popsicles look like.

Summer fruit smoothies and popsicles

3/4 cup frozen strawberry pieces

3/4 cup frozen mango, peach, or nectarine pieces

1/3 cup frozen raspberries

1/4 cup frozen blueberries

1 ripe banana

1 cup organic plain whole fat yogurt

1/4 cup milk

1-3 Tbs. organic sugar

In alternating layers, combine the frozen fruit, banana, yogurt, and milk in a blender.  Layering the frozen and liquid ingredients will aid in smoother mixing and prevent the blender from stopping up on the harder frozen pieces.

Pulsing the blender on high speed, blend until smooth and creamy.  The texture will be thick, so add a bit more milk if you like a thinner smoothie.  Taste and adjust sweetness as necessary with up to three tablespoons of sugar.  I find that the fruit is usually sweet enough as is, but if the plain yogurt is too tart for your taste, add some sugar.  

Additionally, up to a teaspoon of vanilla extract also will help cut some of the tanginess of the yogurt.

Serve in a tall glass with a straw for a classic fun "malt shop" style treat.

To save the leftover smoothie as popsicles, pour the smoothie into reusable popsicle molds or ice trays and freeze.  If you use ice trays, you'll want to cover them with some plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn and keep them from absorbing the taste and smell of the freezer.