O Canada! I feel grateful every day that I was born into a free country with large expanses of breathtaking beauty, some of the funniest and most talented people on earth, and an unmistakable flag that most people still feel proud to display on their luggage (even if some think it’s lame). I even love that our flag includes an iconic image of our natural heritage: the good ole’ maple leaf.
In honour of this great country of ours and our national colours, I decided to make some healthy Canada Day ice pops that you can easily make in time for your celebrations. And, yes, I fashioned them to look like little Canadian flags (sans maple leaf. Sorry guys, that’s outside my wheelhouse). Still, aren’t they cute?
Even though they fit the bill for Canada Day, these red and white layers can be enjoyed all summer long. You can also mix the two colours/ingredients together for a whole different popsicle experience. The point is to have fun!
Fresh strawberries are one of the best things about summer if you ask me! They are so full of flavour and sweetness and blend so easily for a quick puree. And, because it’s a holiday, adding a touch a pure maple syrup adds a little more sweetness if you need it. While I recommend reducing your overall sugar consumption (especially refined sugars) if you are going to use a sweetener, make sure it’s natural and unprocessed. Pure maple syrup is a good choice of sweetener because it also contains naturally occurring vitamins and minerals like manganese and zinc. Use it sparingly and enjoy the crap it of it when you do! And listen up: if you’re going to buy maple syrup, then make sure to get actual maple syrup, not just maple-flavoured syrup… which can be loaded with refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup.
- RED:
- - 4 cups fresh strawberries (hulled)
- - 2 tbsp of pure maple syrup (optional)
- WHITE:
- - 1 ¼ cup coconut milk
- - 1 frozen banana
- - Place strawberries and maple syrup into blender or food processor and puree until smooth (only needs a few seconds).
- - Pour strawberry puree into
sealable plastic bag. Set aside. - - Rinse out
blender and add coconut milk and frozen banana. Puree until smooth. - - Pour coconut banana puree into separate sealable plastic bag and place in fridge.
- - Cut small hole in corner of first plastic bag (with red filling) and use like an icing piping bag (this ensures you don’t get any red dribble down the sides of the mold and will keep your red and white layers “clean”.
- - Fill popsicle molds approximately ⅓ with pureed strawberries. Place in freezer about 30 minutes to an hour until firm.
- - Cut the same small hole in
plastic bag with white filling. - - Fill molds with coconut/banana filling another ⅓ of the way. Place popsicle sticks in place and place molds back into the freezer to set.
- - Add remaining red filling on top of
white layer to the top of the mold and place back in the freezer another few hours until set. - Note: if you’re having a hard time removing the frozen pops from their molds, simply submerge bottoms of the molds into luke-warm water until you can wiggle those little pops free.
Going to a Canada Day BBQ and at a loss about what to bring? I’ve got you covered! These ice pops are an obvious choice (a great, patriotic way, to cool off with friends. Plus, the kids will love ‘em!) but here are 4 others that are solid holiday hit makers. Each dish is bright, festive and won’t keep you working away in the kitchen all day when all you really want to be doing is having fun with your peeps. And, as always, you’ve got the added bonus of being able to brag about how healthy these dishes are!
Orange Avocado Salad
Zesty and bright. Makes a great addition to any potluck party.
Roasted Red Pepper Dip
It’s red! This delicious dip also makes a wonderful burger topping!
Quinoa Cakes
These make a great appetizer or side dish. Can even slide into a bun for a veggie slider option.
Mango Salsa
This is fantastic on top of organic tortillas or lean, grilled meats like chicken or fish!
I’d love to know if you try out these ice OR if you have our own healthy fruit popsicle recipes you want to share. Do you have a tip to getting clean, defined layers that doesn’t involve “piping” bags? Let me know! Leave a comment below or connect with me over on social media @kimdeoncom here, here and here!
Happy Canada Day!
-KD
