Summer. We all look forward to it. It’s the season of long days and running outside in just a tank, shorts and sneakers. No need for layering and oh so much daylight to run in! But I find that as we get into the routine of our summer days we start to take it for granted. We start to complain about the heat and the humidity and the sweat. But – who wouldn’t take a hot, sunny summer day over a cold, dark winter one?! In the winter you leave your house in the dark and come home in the dark. As we get used to soaking in the sunshine all day long we quickly forget how cold and dark winter is! Well not me. I’m soaking in every last ounce that summer has to offer. Especially with these refreshing fruit-filled coconut ice pops.
I recently visited Jack Rabbit to browse their newest sneaker collection. If you know me, you know that I love green and I just couldn’t resist Saucony’s new Run Pop line. Bright vibrant colors that make you want to just get out and run! The shoe is a stability model with comfort, allowing you to tag on tons of miles. You can pick out your favorite color of Saucony RunPop sneakers at your local Jack Rabbit and even test them out. 
I was inspired by all the bright colors and the RunPop collection and decided to create my own edible take on the “Run Pop.” These are perfect after a hot summer run. You can embrace the heat knowing that these hydrating pops are waiting for you at your finish line. Or eat one before you head out! They are loaded with potassium thanks to the coconut water and are a delicious option for staying hydrated.
Summer for some people is a time of mindless eating. A lot of lying around on the beach and at the pool can lead to snacking and grabbing whatever options are available, often unhealthy ones. Ice pops are consumed in mass quantities and justified as a way to “cool off.” But they are full of sugar and don’t have to be. Case in point – Run Pops! Healthy eating shouldn’t feel restrictive but it also shouldn’t be season specific. Healthy eating should be a year-round way of life. And treats should not be thought of as rewards for workouts, but rather, should be looked at as ways to recover and rehydrate properly.
With this recipe there is no need to eliminate ice pops from your diet! These pops are awesome because they are literally made with just coconut water and fruit. I got the ice pop molds on Amazon – they are really easy to find. But if you want to make them right NOW and don’t have ice pop molds you can always try an ice cube tray and stick a popsicle stick in them. The whole idea of the pop is to be simple and easy to make. So grab your favorite fruit and your favorite coconut water and you really can’t go wrong.
Recipe:
- 4 cups coconut water (you can use coconut water with pulp as well)
- 1 kiwi peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup diced mango
- 1/4 cup blueberries
- 1/4 cup blackberries cut in half
- 4-5 strawberries
- 4 tablespoons coconut water
- You want to add fruit first then coconut water. My mold has 9 compartments. There is no right or wrong way to place the fruit in the molds. I evenly distributed the fruit into the molds making sure to fill it as much as I could. 1-2 pieces kiwi in each, a few pieces of mango, 2 pieces strawberries,3-4 blueberreis, 3 blackberries and a sprinkle of coconut in each.
- Once all the molds are filled with fruit, pour coconut water into the molds. Place lid over the pops then place a popsicle stick in each. Let freeze overnight, at least 10-12 hours.
- Once frozen, take out of the freezer. In order to pop them out easily, run warm water on the sides of the molds. Or let sit out of the freezer for a few minutes. They should pop right out. Enjoy immediently as they tend to melt fairly quickly. I like to take them out of the molds, place them on a tray lined with parchment and then put them back into the freezer for a few hours and then into a ziploc bag or container. This way your ice pop mold is free to make more!
