Red, White & Blue Pops

Kids running around in swimsuits eating popsicles. That is summer to me. And when those popsicles happen to be red, white and blue? Well, that can only mean it's the Fourth of July! I vividly remember being a kid, playing with my friends at our local swimming pool and sucking on Bomb Pops (big, red, white and blue rocket-shaped popsicles that seemed all the rage in the 70's) to cool down in the summer heat. I adored Bomb Pops, looking back, I can't imagine how much food coloring and sugar I must have ingested over the years. And while those popsicle memories are great, but how can I share them with my own kids without also exposing them to all those unwanted additives and chemicals? There has to be a way to make your own version of those sinfully delicious iced treats -- full of eye appealing color -- but also healthy at the same time.

I use fresh fruits and yogurts to make festive popsicles that are nutritious as well. And for the Fourth, blueberries and raspberries make it easy to celebrate the holiday. Packed with antioxidants, Vitamin C, dietary fiber, calcium and more, these Red, White & Blue Popsicles seem like a much better idea than the sugar and corn syrup laden ones infused with Red Dye #17 and Blue Dye #26 you'll find in the store. I don't want my kids eating that. Not when they can enjoy homemade colorful pops whose colors come straight from nature, not a laboratory.

So when your kids are looking for something refreshing that will impress them at the same time, make a batch of these pops. You won't mind at all when they ask for seconds and thirds. In fact, you'll encourage it!