We all have seen Otter Pops/Icicles/Freeze Pops/Ice Pops/Whatever you want to call 'ems – the portable popsicles that kids love and are oh so refreshing on a hot summer's day. Did you know however, that you can buy empty sleeves to make your own? They are called Zipzicles and they allow endless possibilities for your own flavor concoctions. No need to feed your kids the hyperactivity-causing food dyes and other crap from the commercial pops!

I've been using these for a few years and we absolutely love them. I make a whole bunch at one time and then give to my kids' daycare and farm camp so they can have popsicles when all the other kids do and also save them for fun treats at home. Considering I just use fruits and other healthy ingredients I really don't hesitate to give them as treats, but the kids still think they are getting something special! Win win 🙂

They are BPA-free and reusable, so they are safe and not terrible for the environment. I totally wash ours out and reuse them with no issues. You can buy them on Amazon (currently $7 for 36 of them).

These are several of the recipes I came up with to use in them that we make regularly. They are all Paleo and processed stuff-free (and AIP-friendly as well!):

Mango Peach Mint

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Preparation 00:00 Cook Time 00:00 Total Time 0:00

Ingredients

• 2 cups Mangoes, fresh or frozen, peeled and chopped
• 2 cups Peaches, fresh or frozen, peeled and chopped
• 1/4 cup Mint, fresh
• 1/3 cup Water
• 3 tbs Honey

Instructions

• Simmer all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan until the fruit is soft and then mix using a food processor or blender until smooth.
• Pour into Zipzicle bags and freeze.

by Michele

Banana Coconut Lime

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Ingredients

• 1.5 cups Coconut Milk
• 3 ripe Bananas
• juice of 2 Limes

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in a food processor or blender until smooth.

Pour into Zipzicle bags and freeze.

by [email protected]

Watermelon Coconut Blueberry (Tri-colored)

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Ingredients

• 1 cup Watermelon
• 1 cup Coconut Milk
• 1/2 tsp Honey or Maple Syrup
• 1 cup Blueberries

Instructions

To make these the process is a bit more involved: In a food processor or blender puree the watermelon and then pour into the bottom third of the Zipzicle bags.

Stand them upright in a cup and freeze.

Once frozen, mix together the coconut milk and honey/maple syrup. Pour that mixture into the second third of the Zipzicle bags and then freeze.

Once that is frozen puree the blueberries and pour into the final third of the bags and then freeze.

by [email protected]

Just Plain Fruit

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Ingredients

• 4 cups Chopped Fruit of your choice (the pink ones in the picture of all the popsicles above were straight watermelon)
• 1/3 cup Water (optional, may be needed for non-watery fruits to make them more “pourable”)

Instructions

Puree fruit in a food processor or blender. If pretty thick add water and puree more.

Pour into Zipzicle bags and freeze.

by [email protected]

Raspberry Fudgesicles

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Ingredients

• 1/3 cup Honey
• 2 Bananas
• 1/2 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (use Carob for AIP)
• 2 cups Raspberries, fresh or frozen
• 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• pinch Salt
• 1 cup Coconut Milk

Instructions

If using frozen raspberries, either thaw in the fridge or cook over low heat until thawed.

Blend the raspberries with all of the other ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth. Then push the mixture through a mesh sieve to remove the raspberry seeds.

Pour into Zipzicle bags and freeze.

by [email protected]

Lavender Honey Lemon

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Ingredients

• 1.5 cups Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 tsp Dried Lavender
• 1/2 cup Honey
• 1 cup Water

Instructions

Mix all the ingredients together in a small saucepan.

Cook over very low heat for 30 min.

Strain out the lavender and taste for sweetness.

If you are making this for children you may want to add a bit more sweetener than if for adults. Pour into Zipzicle bags and freeze.

by [email protected]

Blackberry Orange Cream

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Ingredients

• 3/4 cup Orange Juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 cup Whole Blackberries, fresh or frozen
• 1/4 cup Honey
• 1 cup Coconut Milk

Instructions

If using frozen blackberries, either thaw in the fridge or cook over low heat until thawed.

Blend the blackberries with all of the other ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth. Then push the mixture through a mesh sieve to remove the blackberry seeds.

Pour into Zipzicle bags and freeze.

by [email protected]

This post has been included in Phoenix Helix's AIP Recipe Roundtable # 81.