What child doesn't love popsicles? They go hand and hand with summer and being a kid after all. However they are typically not the healthiest thing to give them, even if it is a treat. Below is a recipe for popsicles are both healthy and yummy. As a matter of fact, they are a neighborhood favorite at our house.
Another great thing about these popsicles is you can't mess them up! You just add whatever fruit you want, along with your little green secret, blend, pour, freeze and wala, a healthy treat!
So, do you want to know what the little green secret is? It's spinach or kale (or any leafy green)! YES, I AM serious! And YES your children will eat them! And YES you can now say "yes" to popsicles every single day and feel REALLY good about it! {wink} Honestly, when I read about it a few years ago I was really skeptical that my children would like or eat them (come on, leafy greens in a popsicle?!), but I tried it anyhow and as it turned out my children love them. Three years later they still think they are a treat! {secret smile}
Here's a favorite at our house:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Juice from two oranges
- Unsweetened 100% Pomegranate Juice (optional - you can use water instead)
- Fresh spinach or kale (Kale does have more flavor than spinach)
Put it all in a blender or food processor and puree. Sample it for tweaking and add whatever items you feel it needs more. Once it tastes right, pour it into popsicle molds, freeze and enjoy. It's like eating frozen fruit, they are fresh tasting and refreshing. And NO you can't even taste the little green secret!

If your children prefer a sweeter variety, you can add honey, raw sugar or even a little white sugar (heck, with the ingredients it has, a little refined sweetener won't hurt anything). You can also add flavored yogurt, we love Stoneyfield, for a sweeter creamier popsicle.
Another favorite combination at our house is peaches, mangos, pineapples, juice from oranges and spinach or kale. It's a bright green tropical treat! You can even add a banana for a fun twist (or Banilla Stoneyfield yogurt). Really, you can use whatever fruit combination your children like. Have fun with it!
When you first start making these, you might want to go lighter on the greens, just to see how they go over. Kale has more flavor and can be somewhat bitter (though really good for you!), while spinach doesn't have much taste. I am able to add quite a bit at this point, and because they taste so good, the little green secret is no longer a secret! They happily help me put it in now (and yet still think the popsicles are a treat!).
One last tip, these also make great smoothies. Just use some frozen fruit, instead of fresh, and yogurt (and some liquid, especially if you use all frozen fruit). My children ALWAYS want seconds. {"Well, I guess so honey, if you insist"}
Who knew it could be that easy?!
Enjoy!
A picture is worth a thousand words... my green popsicle loving children!
