Healthy Home
by Danielle of More Than Four Walls
Rock your mom’s world – tell her you’re giving the kids popsicles for breakfast!
These probiotic powerhouse pops are full of nutrition and worthy contenders in the Best Breakfast Ever category.
Yes, it’s out of the norm and slightly rebellious but this is a popsicle I feel good about giving our son, even as part of his breakfast. They’re probiotic, nutritious and they taste amazing!
Can you freeze probiotics?
I asked and maybe you are, too, so here’s what I’ve found. The level of probitoics seems to be effected by freezing only if your pops are frozen more than 30 days. And according to a study from the University of Michigan, the health benefits of probiotics are not effected by freezing.
The Players
Orange Juice – Fresh squeezed OJ is wonderful. You’ll need to juice up to 8 oranges for this recipe. If you juice ahead of time and freeze your juice you can use it from a frozen state since you’ll be heating it up. Orange juice can be beneficial but remember, there’s plenty of fructose (sugar) in oranges and store bought will potentially have added sugar. No judgement if you use store-bought – sometimes a busy mom has to cut her losses…we can’t do it all!
Honey – The recipe below gives a measurement but sweeten to taste and remember what I said about the oranges. Honey has wonderful health benefits.
Egg Yolks – Raw egg yolks are a powerhouse of nutrition. From calcium and magneisum to vitamins B6 and B12, raw egg yolks are not something to be sacred of. Be sure you’re using truly pastured eggs (which means they are from hens who range freely in grassy areas so they can eat bugs.) And hey, if you accidentally put the whole egg in don’t worry about it. I’ve done that once or twice not thinking and so far we’re still alive!
Heavy Cream – This is the cream in your pop, baby! Raw cream is best but here in PA we can’t get raw cream unless we skim it off the top of our milk. Again, busy mama so I buy organic heavy cream from our local dairy. Remember, high quality fat is good for you so don’t stress about using heavy cream.
Yogurt – Homemade yogurt from raw or organic milk is best but hey, no judgement if you use store bought just make sure it’s organic. This is your probiotic!
Milk – Sticking with the real food theme, you can use whole milk. You could use almond milk though I have never done it that way.
Extracts or Oils – To enhance the flavor of these delicious pops you need to add vanilla and orange flavors. You have your preference of using extracts or essential oils. Oils can be controversial so if you prefer not to ingest them stick with extracts. Vanilla and Orange Essential Oils are considered GRAS or “Generally Regarded as Safe” according to the FDA and that’s what I use in ours.
Probiotic Powerhouse Pops
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Orange Juice
- 1/3 Cup Honey or to taste
- 2-4 Egg Yolks
- 2 Cups Heavy Cream
- 1 Cup Yogurt
- 1 Cup Raw Milk
- 8 Drops Vanilla Essential Oil or 1 teaspoon
- 4 Drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil or 1/2 teaspoon
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan combine honey and orange juice and warm on medium heat until mixture reduces by half. (If you prefer you can reduce the orange juice and add the honey at the very end to heat it. This will help retain more of honey's benefits.) Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature and set aside. I use an ice bath to help it along.
- Next, you'll combine the remaining ingredients. You can hand whisk, use a mixer or for easy mixing and pouring, or use a blender. Once combined, add in the honey/orange mixture and stir/blend until incorporated.
- Now you're ready to fill your popsicle molds. If you're using a blender with a pour spout this is so easy and low mess. Otherwise, a turkey baster works great for filling molds and not spilling liquid all over the counter. Freeze 10-12 hours.
For a great breakfast treat serve a Powerhouse Pop with some Crockpot Granola.
What are your favorite out-of-the-norm breakfast foods?
Danielle Tate is the founder of Virtuous Woman Ministries and More Than Four Walls Blog. She’s an author, speaker and teacher who is passionate about biblical stewardship, restoration and real food. She lives with her husband Brad and their son, Wyatt.
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup
What a clever idea! I never would have thought about popsicles for breakfast, but I’m sure the kids would love this. Thanks for the recipe!
Weezie
We can’t do orange juice, do you think water kefir would work in place of the juice?
Danielle @ More Than Four Walls
I wouldn’t see why not. Reducing it with the heat would probably destroy the nutritional benefits but you’d still have the honey, yogurt and heavy cream.
Linda Stanhope
What a good idea!!!