Monday, July 1, 2013

Sweet Treat for the Heat



Summer has finally come to my little foothills home! 

After weeks of cool and rainy weather, we went from temperatures in the 60's to hot! 

And what better way to cool off than with homemade Popsicles! 



My temperature gauge sits in the shade and shows close to 90 degrees. 

I am in front of the fan trying to stay cool. 

I know that some of you are used to hot temperatures in the summer, but here in Western Washington this is considered very hot and in fact, we are breaking records for this date. 


Mt. Rainier wears a cap of clouds in a nearly cloudless sky. The mountain generates its own weather, including its own cloud formations formed from the many steam vents along its flanks.

Mt. Rainier is considered an active volcano, but for the last 200 years has remained dormant. 

Let's hope it stays that way! 


With this warm weather, my strawberries have ripened quickly. 

I have two Strawberry Pots on my deck. 


I was able to harvest a small basket full, with more continuing to ripen. 

Last year I made Strawberry Scones with my little harvest, but this year it is too hot to bake, so I thought I would make something cool and refreshing instead. 


Nearly every morning I have a fruit smoothie, so I thought I would freeze it to make a cool and delicious treat. 

Strawberry - Peach - Banana  Popsicles

Blend in two batches

For each batch, add to blender:

1 banana

1 peach, cut up

1/2 pint strawberries, hulled 

1 cup vanilla low fat yogurt  (or flavor of choice)

2 tbsp honey

1/2 tsp of cinnamon


The cinnamon is optional, but I add it for the health benefits. 

It is helpful in stabilizing blood sugar. 

Honey can be substituted with Agave syrup, Maple syrup or other sweetener. 


This makes a nice puree' for adding to a Popsicle mold or to paper cups with a Popsicle stick. 


My mold didn't quite use up all the puree' so I saved the rest in the refrigerator for a second batch. 

Freeze for several hours or overnight. 

To unmold just rest in hot water about 30 seconds or so. 


Healthy and delicious! 

And they will help you keep your cool! 



I saved one for you - Mmmmmm! 

Just save the extras in zip-loc baggies. One or two per baggie so they don't stick together. 

I used to make these for my 4 children. And all their friends :) (I had several molds back then.) 

They didn't last long! But I felt good giving my children a healthy treat. 

Now it is just me and The Mr. 

He is a treat thief, so these won't last long either! 


I also set out a little treat for the birds. 

A heart shaped suet. 

My sweet sister in law, Donna made it. 

We went to visit her in New Hampshire recently. 

She makes these and sells them at a craft show. 


And while I have your attention, look what is blooming in my shade garden! 



I have no idea what they are, but they sure are pretty - another gift from a dear friend. 

Those are the best treats of all! 

I hope you are keeping cool and enjoying some special treats of your own. 

Now, if I can just figure out how to get my blog roll back..........

I have it on 'Bloglovin', but now I need to figure out how to put it back on my blog. 

Sigh..... 

But I am not going to give up! 

I know I have not been visiting all of you lately - I have been trying to get things straight with Google Reader ending. 

I want to thank all of you for your patience.
 Also, thank you to those who gave us directions for transferring to Bloglovin.

Keep Cool!  

xoxo


28 comments:

  1. Ohh the home made popsicles look so good - I love that mold. My mold is smaller - but then I get more popsicles that way. I could go for one right now - thanks for saving me one. How did they not melt in this heat when you were taking pictures. I made jam with our strawberries - but it was on a cool day.

    I love the little mystery flowers - so cooling.

    And Mt. Ranier's cap - maybe she doesn't want to be so hot so she put up her cloud umbrella - what a lovely view you have.

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  2. Thanks for the healthy popsicle recipe. They look and sound good! Hope you can stay cool. We are having temps in the 70's which is very low for Indiana in July!

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  3. They look delicious I heard it is very hot out your way I was talking to someone on the phone in Victoria BC and they were saying it was very hot for the. Keep cool. B

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  4. Dearest Karen,
    What a lovely post and sure it is a healthy treat to make for family and especially when children with their friends were over...
    What a lush garden again and I fell in love with your blue waterfall Campanula: http://www.ggconline.ca/plants/campanula-blue-waterfall
    What a treasure to receive and I read that it is deer proof.
    Did you miss my tutorial on the Google Reader move? http://networkedblogs.com/MobwY
    It is so easy for having your blog roll; just click on your own Bloglovin' on your sidebar and than go to HOME. That's where they all are!
    Enjoy it and relax. Wishing you a very happy 4th of July.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Thank you, Mariette for identifying my pretty blue flower! I am so happy that it is deer proof! I did use your wonderful tutorial for my change over, but hit the snag right there. Thank you so much for the instructions, I will try it! Hugs and Happy 4th to you and Pieter. xoxo

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  5. Your popsicles look so cool and refreshing. I hope you are staying cool. We had high heat and humidity last week but it has cooled off and lower humidity. Just my kind of weather.
    I haven't been around much either so don't feel bad.

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  6. Karen, this is a wonderful idea. Take your favorite smoothie recipe and freeze it into a popsicle mold. Thank you so, so much for sharing this. I will definitely give this a try with my kids.

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  7. I am pinning this recipe for the beans!!! They look ammmmmazing!!!! And I wish I could find a cool mold like the one you have! All I have seen are little plastic ones...your popsicles look professional!! Good luck with all of this switching stuff! I have been trying to figure it out too...Pinning has not been working for me now that I am using blogloving...oh well...hope to get it all sorted out soon!!! Have a wonderful 4th!!!

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  8. Karen, I'm loving your popsicle recipe. Going to have to try this one.

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  9. These lollies look lovely - now all I need is some warm weather. Will make some for my grandsons when they visits next month.

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  10. Hi Karen,

    It looks like you have found a wonderful way to keep cool. Your popsicles look so delicious and healthy! Wish I knew the name of those purple flowers. They are so pretty. Have a great 4th of July.

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  11. I could use one of those Popsicles right about now - it's been steamy here, and today promises to be the same. Fruit and yogurt seems like a nice cool breakfast :-) have a great day!

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  12. Homemade popsicles look amazing!! Especially in this heat. I love that shot of Mt. Ranier. What happened to your blog roll? Google Friend Connect (which is our blog roll) is staying, at least for the time being.

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  13. Those popsicles look so delicious! I love your mold that you use. I have a little one I got from the store but it only has space for four little popsicles. I need a bigger mold! Popsicles are really a great way to cool down in the summer. Sounds like they are perfect for the weather you're having lately!

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  14. Those ice lollies look so yummy... Gorgeous photos... stay cool... Hugs May x x

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  15. Your lollies have such a yummy colour let alone, I am sure, a great taste! We also had a very warm weekend but its gone a bit cold today so the jackets are still hanging around just in case! Mt Rainier looks so wonderful with its own climate and fluffy cloud. Have a great week. Chel x

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  16. That is indeed hot! Thankfully those popsicles look delicious!! :)

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  17. I'm keeping this recipe. Popsicles are one of Norm's favorite summer treats. I wish I could help you with your blogroll; alas, I cannot - I'm on WordPress.

    I've been a little scarce lately, too....I haven't been in the States during summer (or owned a home) for years. I'm loving every minute of it (mostly outside, far from the computer). But I still enjoy stopping by Beatrice Euphemie when I'm online. <3

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  18. Fruit in any form is extra delicious this time of year! Your treats look wonderful! Blogger sure has us jumping through hoops, don't they? So nice to know you stopped by!

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  19. Popsicles are a huge hit with my kids. my little guy just got light saber popsicle molds for his bday. I'll have to give this recipe a try!

    I was just talking about our dormant volcanoes last with my daughter. She figured out that they explode and we live right next to them! We really hope they stay dormant for many years to come as well!

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  20. Dear Karen,

    your popsicles looks very yummy and strawberries are my favourites. I´m not sure but I think I have your little blue flower in my garden too. It is a sort of campanula but I don´t know the exactly name.
    Your shadow garden looks very interesting and to stay there must be really cozy on hot summer days. With homemade popsicles, of course.

    Lovely greetings from the hot germany,
    Tanja

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  21. Tried out those popsicles and they are great! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  22. My mouth is watering at the view of those gorgeous home made popsicles!Strawbberies are the top fruit especially for the kids!Thanks for sharing!Your blooming garden is constantly alive and lush and so generous!
    Wish you a nice sunny day!

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  23. Hi dear Karen! I have missed visiting you while I've been away, but I am looking forward to catching up. Your treats look very tasty and refreshing - the perfect pick-me-up on a hot day. Love your photos...they are always a delight to look at.

    Have a wonderful 4th of July!

    Hugs!

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  24. I have very fond memories of those popsicles you used to make us when we were little. You would have to make 2 or 3 batches because we'd devour them in a matter of minutes! Dad is so lucky to be spoiled by you with all those yummy treats!
    XXOO
    ~H~

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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