Creamy Coconut Berry Swirl Popsicles
Summer is in full swing at my house and for us that means playing hard. I may be in a constant state of exhaustion but my kids are having a blast.Â
Our go-to treat during the summer, especially when kids are busy running around in the heat, is homemade popsicles and these Creamy Coconut Berry Swirl popsicles are always a hit.
My family just made an out of state move and it was a big one for us. We are adjusting to the change from coastal living to life in a small town in the desert.
My kids have wasted no time getting to know all the kids in the neighborhood and they’ve been keeping busy with friends and activities, despite the 100 degree weather.
I know it’s time for a popsicle break when kids start getting grumpy. I haven’t met a kid yet who doesn’t love my Creamy Coconut Berry Swirl popsicles . . . even my coconut-hating kid loves these.
I love that they sneak in some extra nutrition. Because they are made with milk, these popsicles are a good source of protein and active kids need all the protein they can get.
Did you know that milk has 8 grams of protein in every 8 ounce glass?
I usually pull these out of the freezer about mid-afternoon when everyone’s energy starts to fade.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces of milk
- 1/8 cup shredded coconut
- 1 Tbsp. maple syrup
- 1/2 cup frozen berries
- 1/2 banana
Preparation
Add half the milk to your blender and blend with coconut and maple syrup. Pour into a separate container and set aside.
Add the rest of the milk, frozen berries, and banana to your blender and blend well. The mixture will be very thick.
Slowly spoon your berry mixture into your popsicle molds. Alternate with a spoonful of the coconut/maple/milk mixture. The slower that you add this to your popsicle molds, the more likely the two layers are to stay separate.
Freezer for several hours or overnight before serving.
The Great American Milk Drive
Summer may be a carefree time for many children but for others it means going hungry. During the summer months when school is not in session, the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program can’t reach kids and for some that means going without.
It’s estimated that more than 22 million children may miss out on milk’s nutrition this summer when they lose access to free or reduced-price meal programs at school.
I get to watch my kids enjoying nutritious meals and treats all summer and it saddens me that not all kids have the same opportunities.
Many of those families rely on Feeding America® network food banks to feed their children during the summer months but that doesn’t mean they always have access to everything they need.
Fresh milk is one of the most requested, but least donated items at food banks.
I get that. Milk is not shelf-stable and it’s not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about donating to the food bank, but it means that the almost 12 million children who rely on the food banks may be missing out on essential nutrients, including the high-quality protein that milk delivers.
Together, we can change that.
The Great American Milk Drive is a collaborative effort between Feeding America, America’s dairy farmers and milk companies. They are turning online donations into gallons of milk for families in local communities and so far they have provided more than 12 million servings of milk to families across the country.
You can help feed a childhood in your community this summer with a small donation at milklife.com/give.
A donation as little as $5 can deliver a highly desired and nutrient-rich gallon of fresh milk to children who need it most.
I know I’ll be enjoying my carefree summer with my kids a bit more knowing that another child has the chance to get the nutrition that he/she needs.
Enter to Win
Milk Life is giving away 15 Milk Life Prize Packs (ARV $25). Each prize pack includes:
- Tote bag
- Luggage tag
- Insulated tumbler with straw
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
