Antioxidant-rich Orange “Creamsicle” Popsicles

Food styling credit goes to my three-year-old

I always thought people add citrus peel to recipes because they smell and taste fantastic. I never realized that limonoids (compounds found in citrus peel) are super beneficial and healthy! In a nutshell, limonoids have a broad range of biological activities, including antitumour, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. (Jiang, 2017). Who knew?!?!?

Working with people ttc, pregnant, and lactating, I am always pushing antioxidants. Naturally, I had to find a way to sneak limonoids into a recipe, and the obvious choice was popsicles! Since I have a ton of vegan clients, I decided to create a vegan-friendly and antioxidant-rich treat, and since Manitoba Milling launched their own flax milk, it was a perfect match! Combining the antioxidants found in citrus peel with the antioxidants found in flax milk, these popsicles are an antioxidant powerhouse! I added the dark chocolate drizzle at the end for an extra antioxidant boost (and because chocolate is awesome).

As a throwback to the classic Orange Creamsicle, I created a healthier version that is super-easy to make.

Ingredients (makes 4 pops):

1/2 cup Manitoba Milling co. Flax milk (buy it here: https://amzn.to/2NJ8yIy)

3/4 cup fresh orange juice

1 Tbsp orange zest (make sure to wash your orange well before you zest!).

Instructions:

-Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth

-Pour pops into molds. I used Zoku molds (buy it here: https://amzn.to/2NFQEq9). Using these molds, you can remove the pops and enjoy after 10 minutes. If using traditional popsicle molds, place molds in the freezer and let them set for 4 hours or overnight.

-Optional: Melt Vegan chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips in microwave (2 minutes at 60% power) and drizzle over popsicles

These are easy, healthy, and smell so fresh and yummy. Hope y’all enjoy! We did :)

-Lauren