Popsicles!

Do you ever have a moment when you are amazed at the Universe's plan for you? A few days ago while reading my favorite new book, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, I began to realize how much I love lying around the house reading. Of course, who has time for this? There are too many things to clean, too many places to go, and too many foods to cook to be sitting around the house reading. Yesterday morning on the bus I thought to myself how much I enjoy reading and promised myself I would make more time for it. Lo, and behold, the Universe then unfolded its master plan.

Stepping off the bus, I stumbled onto an uneven sidewalk and sprained my ankle. Hel-lo. Several hours later my body made it perfectly clear to me that I would not be cleaning, cooking, or going anywhere. At first, I grumbled to myself. Then, I decided to take on my new attitude. This is an opportunity. A chance to try out crutches and an excuse to sit around more... reading, scrapbooking, ordering take-out. How lucky am I? And, even better, it's a great excuse to eat a popsicle.

Popsicles are the kinds of things that you keep in your freezer for moments just like this. Ideally, it would be warmer outside, but it doesn't have to be. Popsicles can be eaten independent of the weather. Trust me.

The first step to making these tasty little creations? I bought a popsicle mold, but I know that you can make 'em without one. Orangette makes her popsicles in tall shot glasses and those look amazing. Anything can work as a mold. Be creative.

Here are some of my favorite popsicle combinations. You do need a juicer and blender to make these. Each of these should yield approximately 2 popsicles, but it depends on the size of your mold. I encourage you to try a few with the natural sweetness of the fruits, but if this is not sweet enough for your taste, add 1-2 tablespoons of agave.

• Juice 2 apples + 1 lemon (without the peel) = 2 pink lemonade pops
• Blend 1 cup fresh carrot juice + 1 cup watermelon chunks = 2 sweet melon pops
• Juice 2 apples + 1 small piece of red beet (for color) and blend with 1 cup fresh strawberries = 2 red berry pops
• Juice 2 apples + 4 carrots + 1 small piece of ginger (pinky size) = 2 sweet ginger pops
• Juice 1 apple + 2 oranges and blend with 1 banana = 2 orange julius pops

And, while I still (hopefully!) have your attention, I have to do a shout-out for The Happiness Project. For anyone looking to change their attitude, increase the fun in their life, or just wanting to read a good book, this one is for you!