~ raw, vegan, gluten-free, nut-free ~
I realize that summer is winding its way down… according to the calendar that is… because if you stepped out my front door… Mother Nature would be telling you something different! It’s been a tad bit too hot for my liking these past few days.
My girlfriend has two little ones who like to play outside and as I was thinking about them scouting out the marvels of the great outdoors… I felt a tug in my heart to make some freshly juiced watermelon popsicles for them.
Watermelon popsicles are 100% fruit and naturally help balance your electrolytes. So, I knew that these would be a perfect way to replenish and rehydrate their little bodies.
Popsicles always guide me back to my childhood… bringing forth wonderful snippets of time when I could let go of the world and just be present. I have been calling upon that “inner child” of mine lately, asking her to teach me what it is, to be where my feet are. What it is to be present. What it is to solidify that child-like state of mind… regardless of how many candles end up on my cake with each passing year.
As I was pondering on all of this… a sweet smile spread across my lips as I started to remember a funny little memory that I had with my girlfriend, Bonita who lived in the same town as my Great Grandmother.
During my summertime visits to my great-grandparents, my girlfriend and I would ride our bikes to Chahinkapa Park, which housed a very small zoo. Bonita and I would run through the narrow pathways of the zoo, scanning for any animal that might make an appearance. Truthfully, they were smart and often tucked themselves into a shady corner BUT the buffalo… oooh the buffalo… they weren’t bothered by any weather pattern thrown at them. They were always out for a viewing.
As exciting as that was… they were kind of boring for young, energetic children who craved action. They just stood there. Quietly. No cute rolling around on the ground, no venturing towards the fence to entertain those passing by… it was as if they were frozen in time. Trip after trip to the zoo, that was our typical experience. But then one day we discovered a new game. I am almost too embarrassed to share this… and whether it is appropriate or not… I am going to proceed with this childhood memory. hehe
One day, we noticed that when one buffalo would start too….”tinkle”…. it would trigger a chain reaction with the nearby standing buffalos. At first, we were disgusted, appalled, I mean really! Here, now? In front of us?! Oh, we created such drama in our little minds. But once we let go of the fact that the buffalo weren’t purposely trying to offend us… we made a game out it. We would each select a buffalo to see which one would tinkle the longest. Oh, the joy it brought us. Lol, It was as if we were at a horse race… shouting, chanting, cheering the selected buffalos on!
Once the contest ended and the winner buffalo was applauded, and with no reward in hand, we would hop on our bikes and peddle our way on to our next adventure. This went on almost daily that summer… we created quite the gambling ring. Is there a 12 step program to get over the gambling competition of buffalo tinkling? Well goodness, that was a fun memory to revisit. I hope you don’t mind me sharing it with you. We are “family” here after all… and sometimes you just have to put up with relatives that just won’t shut up. Hehe Many blessings, amie sue
Hi Amy Sue,
Thanks for the recipe! I made the watpermelon popsickles lots of time bunnever included the rasberries. I think it will taste just so good.
The problem I have is that the icecristals are so big and eventually taste like water (not nice) How can I tackle this? I know you have a solution!
Meanwhile I am so enjoying your recipes!
Greetings,
Jokuh
Good morning Jokuh. The ice cycles form due to the water content naturally found in the watermelon. Fats and other ingredients help to reduce those but since we are dealing with a frozen treat that is 100% fruit… there are two things to maybe keep in mind to help reframe our thoughts. #1 – enjoy sooner than later so the flavor stays fresh. #2 – think of it as a frozen slushy rather then maybe how we tend to think of ice cream. Oh, and whatever popsicle form you decide to use… try not to allow any air to come in contact with it. I wish I had a better solution. If anyone else reading this does, please share.
Blessings, amie sue
You are so right! It is what I am used with storebought popsickles! I already love the watermelonpopsickles for the taste and now with your recipe it will be more than good!
Thanks Amy Sue
You’re welcome Jokuh. Be sure to pick a ripe melon and enjoy! Blessings, amie sue
I liked your “tinkle” story and the buffalo. The wonders of childhood. May we all stay young at heart forever.
Thanks Rose. I am thankful for such memories too… as silly as they may be. It’s the innocence of a child that is so pure and appealing to me. Have a wonderful weekend and many blessings, amie sue
What fun! It’s amazing how food can trigger memories. I just hope when I make these they won’t alway make me think of buffalos “tinkling” :) I wanted to ask you where you get the cool molds. I love the idea of reusable otter pop bags and your popsicles always turn out so cute! I’d love to know where you get them!
Thanks!
lol Jessica… I guess you will have to remember or create your own memories with this frozen treat hehe.
I have a lot of the molds that I use in my Amazon store. https://nouveauraw.com/equipment/ice-cream-machine-supplies/. Caution… they can be addicting purchases to make. hehe Have a blessed day, amie sue