Freezes and Swirlies

With the hot weather we've been having I'll tell ya, it does not take long to go through a box of popsicles in this household and it can get pricey. Oh yes, I used to have a Tupperware popsicle mould (who didn't at one time or another?) But it sat and sat and SAT in the cupboard and finally migrated back to the thrift store whence it came from in the first place.

Problem was, there were all those pieces and even IF I remembered where I'd stored it, inevitably I'd forget to use it so it mostly took up valuable realty in my already overcrowded cupboards. So, one winter's day I made an executive decision to purge it.

So, what to do when the weather's hot and one is hankering for something cold and refreshing? I found one solution when we visited our local Shopper's Drug Mart one Sunday when I chanced upon a box of those looooog Freezies (you know, sort of a popsicle in a plastic tube?) They were on sale for 1/2 price so we bought a box and have been happily sucking on them ever since. Only complaint is they turn your hand blue so I wrap mine in a paper towel.

Now me being super frugal and also thinking on how I'd personally like to see more nutrition in a refreshment... and living in the land of fruit and honey... I got to pondering.

Homemade Coconut Apricot Freezie

And this is what I came up with! Now my version is a concoction of coconut milk, yogurt, apricots and cantaloupe but you could easily use any fruit at hand.

If you would prefer a more 'juicy' flavour you might consider working from a base of orange juice with a puree of your favourite fruits - but if you're going for smooth and creamy, like a frozen smoothie idea then you should begin with a yogurt and then add whatever fruit you like.

When you have your puree whipped up its time for the "tube" step. I used my vacuum sealer, making tubes about 1 inch wide and then pouring them full with the aid of a funnel. It is a bit of a trick when it comes to sealing it - I'd advise you to leave at least two inches at the top so you have a bit of room to work with. I pinched my index and the finger to the left just above the puree in the tube, then put the flat end of the plastic in the sealer. Takes practice but you will be a pro before long.

My friend Saxon and I were talking about how freeze fruit puree in individual portions for the winter months, and I think this would work well. In the winter you might just take out a 'tube' of puree, defrost it and I'll bet even children would like to eat it right out of the plastic!

This idea is a great money saver - plus you know what's in it.

Besides these freezies, I've created a set of Swirlies for you to enjoy! Fine for Commercial use. I would LOVE to see how you use these - why not send my a jpg of your creations so I can share your layout in my next post?

Just click on the preview to download!