DIY Popsicles

Summer is a perfect time to DIY with the kids.  Their little hands love to be hands on.  Some projects can vary depending on their age.  I love mixing food and fun with DIY. 

Thanks to Zipzicle for sending samples for review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

My daughter loves to get in the kitchen.  She is always asking to help.  She grabs her step stool and get right in there.  I love that she wants to learn.  Today's lesson is how to make DIY popsicles.

Our first step was to gather our fresh ingredients.  In the summer, we love to make cucumber water and agua de pepino.  Both make refreshing drinks.  It also happens to be one of my daughter's favorite.  Did you know by definition that a cucumber is considered a fruit?

Ingredients-

1 cucumber

2 cups of water

2 limes

sugar

Wash your cucumber.  Cut cucumber into smaller pieces.  I usually cut them into 8 long pieces.   Throw the cucumber in the blender.  I do half of the cucumber with 1 cup of water at a time.  My blender is not that big.  Blend all cucumber pieces and water.  Place the juice in a pitcher.  Cut lime in half and squeeze lime juice into the pitcher.  Add sugar to your liking.  I added to sugar and kept tasting.  I only add enough to give it a small sweet taste.  Mix all ingredients.

  

Now you are ready to fill the Zipzicle ice pop molds.  Make sure to continue to mix your juice so that you can an even blend of juice when filling each pouch.  I recommend using a pitcher with a small spout enough to be able to fit around the opening of the pouch.

My daughter loved being the taste-tester.  She was able to push buttons and make the blender go wild.  She also enjoyed mixing and pouring.  But what she enjoyed most was the final product.  It is the perfect way to stay cool this summer.

For more information, go to zipzicles.com.

Welch’s Fruit Snacks Fourth of July Challenge

Cooking with my kids is always fun.  My mom never really had time to show me how to cook because she was always working.  Especially on holidays, my stepdad and her were always working.  I get it, someone had to pay the bills and put food on the table.  But I did not get to share the kitchen with my mom for special moments or cook special holiday dishes, I kinda miss out.

Thanks to Welch's for sending me these boxes of fruit snacks and fruit 'n yogurt snacks to be able to participate in the Welch's fruit snack 4th of July challenge.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

What is the challenge?  To create a 4th of July dish with Welch's fruit snacks and fruit 'n yogurt snacks.

Challenge accept.  My daughter and I were ready for the challenge.  I was so excited to try this with my daughter who is only four.  She loves to help me in the kitchen.  I like my kids to help in the kitchen and I do try and show them how to make whatever meal I am making.  The preschooler was excited because we were making little pies.

Fruit Explosion 4th of July Mini Pies-No Baking, kid friendly

Ingredients-

1 box-Welch's fruit snacks
1 box-Welch's fruit 'n yogurt snacks
1 container-cool whip
1 can-condensed milk
6 count-graham cracker mini pies

I decided to use the graham cracker mini pies that are ready to use, but you can choose to make your own pie crust.  My daughter likes things that are little.  She says they are kid sized, just for her.  In a bowl, mix the container of cool whip and 1/4 can of condensed milk.  You can leave the condensed milk out if you like.  It thickens the cool whip but does sweeten just little but more.  I used a smaller bowl.  It looks like a small glass but it is the perfect size for the daughter's hands if she needs to hold it when mixing ingredients.  I also open the can of condensed milk and I added the milk. 

Once that is mixed together well, your kid can start adding a layer of cool whip to the pie crusts.  She did two table spoons.  She was pretty much doing it all herself from this step on.

The next layer is 1 single serving bag of the Welch's fruit 'n yogurt snacks. 

Top that with another layer of cool whip mix.  Mom may need to even out the layer afterwards.

Two more should do the trick.  Then you will decorate the top of your pie with the Welch's berries and cherries fruit snacks.  We used 1 single serving bag.  You may want to use more, depending on your child's design. 

Finally, let chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve for your 4th of July party.  This is very easy for kids to do on their own. 

My daughter had a great time.  This is was super easy and she helped prep for our 4th of July get-2-gether.  This time she was not the helper.  I was her assistant.

Clean Eating Hot Cocoa Recipe

***Disclosure-I received sample product to review.  Any opinions stated are my own.

Did you have a great Christmas?  Did you eat all that good food?  The holidays can be very bad for clean eaters.  Some of us do not have control.  When you see good food, where does all your hard work go?  The holidays are not over.  We still have New Year's to think about and Winter just got started.  Winter makes people want to be indoors all cozy and under the covers.  Here is a #cheatclean recipe for those cold days:

Peppermint Hot Cocoa with Vanilla Whipped Cream:

Yields: 2

Serving size: 1 cup with topping

Prep time: 10 min

Ingredients:

Peppermint Hot Cocoa

1 ¼ cups water

¾ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1 scoop (~30g) Quest Chocolate Milkshake Protein Powder

2 tablespoons zero-calorie sweetener

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

½ teaspoon peppermint extract

Whipped Cream

6-8 standard size ice cubes (about ¾ cup)

¼ cup water

1 tablespoon zero-calorie sweetener

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1 scoop (~30g) Quest Vanilla Milkshake Protein Powder

Method:

Cocoa

·         Pour the cocoa ingredients (water through extract) into a medium saucepan.

·         Whisk until well combined.

·         Heat saucepan from low to medium while whisking to desired temperature.

Whipped Cream

·         Place all whipped cream ingredients (ice through protein powder) into the small base of a Magic Bullet fit with the double blade.

·         Blend for 2-3 minutes or until mixture has become thick, fluffy and the consistency of whipped cream.

Assembly

·         Pour the cocoa into two large mugs. Spoon whipped cream over each mug.

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 125

Protein: 23

Fat: 1

Net Carbs: 2.6

Fiber: 1.2

Tasty Thursday-eMeals New Dessert Plan #USFG (spon)

***Disclosure-I am a USFG member, I will receive FREE 3 Month dinner and dessert meal plan for sharing this information with you.  All opinions stated are my own.

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