Yogurt Pops are the Bomb

This has nothing to do with yogurt pops, but can I talk about Eloise for a moment? The books, I mean, by the brilliant Kay Thompson and fabulous illustrator Hilary Knight. (The accolades are mine because they’re true.)

Why didn’t I ever read these as a kid? I had Eric Carl and the requisite (and awesome) Maurice Sendak picture books, and then later the Little House series, Nancy Drew, and even the Bobsey Twins, but somehow precocious Eloise escaped my bookshelves. Thank goodness I had a kid and could right that wrong pronto, zippity zap.

When Bunky was in utero, I said I wanted a baby who loved books and I got one. (Too bad I didn’t ask for a baby who slept…) I love reading the Eloise series to B and the feeling is mutual. I even attempt Eloise in Paris complete with really bad french pronunciation, because it’s that fantastic. Seriously, you should read it sometime if you haven’t. Even if you don’t have a kid, or if your kid isn’t into reading. Go on, sneak into the kid’s section of your local bookstore (who am I kidding, it’s Barnes and Noble) and pretend you’re shopping for a friend’s kid and sit down on your botto (that’s bottom in Eloise-speak) and read read read!

I just hope she likes Harry Potter…

Now, on to yogurt pops. I’m pretty sure Eloise would approve of these since they are PINK. That may be one reason why Bunky, who has been rejecting nearly all food lately, still likes these shockingly healthy suckers. I love when she asks to have one for breakfast, or even two, and I’m like, well, okay… but secretly I’m fist pumping. (Just kidding about that. I don’t fist pump, not even pretend.)

First, gather your materials. Pop makers are key. I bought these from Amazon and they’re great. The brand is Tovolo and mine are star shaped, but check out these cool rocket ones.

The only thing is, there is NO way you’re getting these pops to just slide out once frozen. You have to run them under warm water for a minute or so in order to loosen them up, and even then it takes a little muscle. Or more hot water.

Pinktastic Strawberry Banana Yogurt Pops

Basically, you’re making a smoothie and then freezing it. I don’t even have exact measurements since I usually eyeball it, but I’ve put estimates in just in case you want something to work with.

Ingredients:

• 1 – 1/1/2 cups of greek or plain yogurt
• 1 cup of frozen strawberries (defrost first, 30 seconds in the microwave should do it)
• 1 banana
• 1-2 tablespoons of honey, or more for a sweeter pop

Directions:

Plop everything in your blender (or in my case, a Cuisinart) and push ON. Whirl away and then taste for sweetness. Use a spoon, though, please. Sticking your finger in the Cuisinart in front of your kid is not a smart idea. Just saying.

Assistant pop maker Bunky at your service.

The great thing is if you make too much, you can just drink it. Bunky wants so badly to like smoothies, but she can’t stand the texture. Too thick or something. So the second after I put them in the freezer she starts asking me if they’re done yet, and this goes on about every twenty minutes or so until she forgets about them. It’s worth it though, because she loves them.

I bet Eloise and her dog Weenie would, too.

I’m happy to have shared this post at the Gluten-Free Friday’s link up party hosted by Vegetarian Mamma, Eat.Live.Make, and Gluten Freed R.D., and One Creative Mommy’s Gluten Free Monday link up. Click the links to find more great GF recipes.