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With high temperature records falling daily, this July likely reigns as the hottest ever, and we’ve not even reached the dog days of summer. We need relief, and frozen fruit pops could be the small indulgence that keeps us from melting away. Homemade frozen pops have come a long way since my childhood. We’d stir a packet of Kool Aid with a cup of sugar and a pitcher of water, fill our molds, and pop them in the freezer. Cool and refreshing? Of course. Nutritious and delicious? Hardly.

Frozen fruit pop adventurers have developed so many recipes that we could cool off with a new flavor every sweltering day. Oprah.com offers seven recipes created by Charity Ferreira for making ice pops. Why not start with Chocolate Pudding Pops?

In a medium saucepan, whisk together 2 cups milk and 2 egg yolks. In a small bowl, stir together 1/3 cup sugar, 2 Tbsp. cornstarch, and ¼ tsp. salt.
Whisk sugar mixture into milk mixture.
Bring saucepan to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly.
When [mixture] starts to bubble around the edges, stir 1 more minute.
Remove from heat and stir in 2/3 cup finely chopped bittersweet chocolate (about 4 ounces) until the chocolate is melted.
Let the pudding cool for about 15 minutes before spooning into molds.

To finish, pour the mixture into molds and insert sticks. If using cups, freeze until partially frozen and slushy, about 30 minutes, then insert sticks. Freeze until firm, at least 6 hours.

Blueberries and Cream, Honey Peach, Strawberry Lemonade, Watermelon-Raspberry-Lime, Papaya Aqua Fresca, and Hibiscus-Pomegranate round out the offerings. Find these recipes and more at http://www.oprah.com/food/How-to-Make-Fresh-Fruit-Ice-Pops-Healthy-Summer-Snacks/7#ixzz1zzwZIYR8.

Farmers' Markets are perfect places for finding locally grown, luscious seasonal fruits for munching and making into frozen fruit pops. To make your shopping easier, Playworks will include a complimentary reusable Playworks market tote with every internet order of $50 or more placed in August.

Hurray for Summer,
Christina Wallerstein
Heidi Floren
Playworks