Summer is only two weeks away and so are some glorious, hot and lazy days best enjoyed with chilled treats. For an all-natural, digestive-friendly, healthy alternative to the usual favourites, frozen smoothie popsicles are guaranteed to please.

Easy-to-make and clean up, very budget-friendly and versatile, I just can’t get enough of these summer snacks! Inspired by Global Fitness’ high-protein popsicle, it’ll keep you satisfied longer, build muscle and, if you ask me these homemade popsicles taste better than store-bought.

Here’s my first attempt at a chocolate-flavoured version:

Strawberry Coco Smoothie Popsicle

Makes: 12, 3-oz frozen popsicles

Ingredients

2 cups strawberries, frozen
1/2 cup yogurt, plain
3/4 cup soy milk, chocolate (adjust to desired thickness)
1 tsp cocoa powder (for a more chocolatey popsicle)
1 scoop of your favourite protein powder
1 tsp raw honey or pure maple syrup (optional & adjust to taste)

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients except protein powder until smooth.
2. Add protein powder to smoothie and gently blend.
3. Pour mix into popsicle molds.
4. Freeze.

Tip: When you’re ready to serve, try running hot water on the main part of the mold and jiggle the popsicle stick to loosen the frozen smoothie. My first attempt was a flop – I ended up disengaging the stick from the popsicle (a useless treat without a handle) and actually broke my mold in half trying to pry the sucker from it’s parent!

I hope you enjoy this healthy, diet-friendly summer treat. Please come back to tell us how yours turned out!

Today is May Day, a holiday with ancient roots that mark the end of the Northern Hemisphere’s cold half of the year and which many cultures still celebrate in one way or another. To honour the warmer months ahead, here’s a smoothie recipe with a summer twist!

Inspired by Global Fitness’ high-protein popsicle, a highly nutritious snack that will help you reach your fitness goals, the following smoothie is one that you can actually sink your teeth into anytime you have the munchies — and feel good about it!

Mango Smoothie Popsicle

Makes: 12, 3-oz frozen popsicles

Ingredients

2 fresh mangoes, pitted & sliced
1/2 cup yogurt, plain
3/4 cup rice milk, vanilla (adjust to desired thickness)
1 scoop of your favourite protein powder

Directions

1. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour mix into popsicle molds. (a local Home Hardware store had mine)
3. Freeze.

Tip: When you’re ready to serve, try running hot water on the main part of the mold and jiggle the popsicle stick to loosen the frozen smoothie. My first attempt was a flop – I ended up disengaging the stick from the popsicle (a useless treat without a handle) and actually broke my mold in half trying to pry the sucker from it’s parent!

I hope you enjoy this healthy, diet-friendly summer treat. Please come back to tell us how yours turned out!