I’m really excited to share this watermelon popsicle recipe with you today. It’s been a long time since I made popsicles (I think the last time I did, I was a kid) and they turned out so pretty! I also just got a new (used) camera to play with and am really impressed with the quality of photos it produces (and the much faster shutter speed).
I had a heck of a time finding some popsicle molds here in Canada. I happened to see a small basic set for at Canadian Tire, but just as I was checking out I found 4 sets of these cute larger style popsicles and quickly snapped them up. I haven’t been able to find the exact popsicle molds I have online, but there are similar types with drip catches and straws available here.
I also got to try out a new natural product. I received some samples of Habitall – All Natural Sugar Replacement, which is aspartame-free, sugar-free, and calorie-free. It’s made with monk fruit, erythritol and polydextrose. Normally I never use sugar replacements such as Splenda or aspartame as they give me headaches and I don’t feel so well after. But for those looking for a calorie free sweetener (that doesn’t have the awful aftertaste of stevia) I think Habitall can be quite useful and best of all there’s no negative side effects. I added a little bit to my all fruit popsicles just to enhance the watermelon flavor, as when they’re frozen it can taste really icy and less fruity.
My watermelon popsicles actually turned out really yummy! Habitall can be used cup for cup as a sugar replacement so I can also see other uses for it such as lemonade, muffins, cupcakes or cookies for those who are looking to reduce calories, are diabetic or are trying to get off sugar in general.
Want A Free Bag of Habitall To Try?
The company also gave me some samples to give away to 2 lucky people. So if you’re interested in receiving a bag to try, just comment below and let me know what you’d like to use it for and 2 comments will be randomly selected to win.
Right now they are doing an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds to help get Habitall into stores at an affordable price for everyone. You can only get it through the campaign for now, but if enough funds are raised in the next few weeks you might see Habitall available soon near you.
Whole food watermelon popsicles are really easy to make and you can use pretty much any fruit juice or puree as the base and diced fruit for added color and texture. Next I think I might try mango puree popsicles with sliced strawberries!
Whole Food Rainbow Watermelon Fruitsicles (Popsicles)
Makes 16-20 popsicles (depending on size) I made 16 90 ml popsicles.
Ingredients:
4 cups blended watermelon puree (about 1/4 medium watermelon) You can also use cantaloupe if desired
1 tbsp Habitall natural sweetener or cane sugar *optional
1 medium ripe ataulfo mango, diced or 2 ripe peaches peeled and diced
1 cup pitted cherries, sliced in half (I used frozen) or raspberries
1/2 cup blueberries (I used wild blueberries)
Directions:
1. Prepare the watermelon puree for the popsicles. Seedless watermelon works best. Blend watermelon and optional Habitall natural sweetener or sugar in a Vitamix or food processor on high until smooth. Set aside. (You can leave out the sweetener if desired.)
2. Dice the mango or peaches (make sure they are ripe or they will be too sour)
3. Portion out the cherries and the blueberries.
4. Assemble watermelon popsicles. Place mango or peach in bottom of popsicle molds, next layer in the cherries halves (or raspberries) and then blueberries.
5. Pour the watermelon puree into the popsicle molds until they are full. Place popsicle sticks on top.
6. Freeze for 6-7 hours.
7. Before serving run the popsicle try under warm to hot water to loosen popsicles from mold.
Enjoy!
Disclosure: I was not paid or given any compensation to promote Habitall. I received free samples to review and to give away to blog readers. I paid for shipping myself.
What is your favorite flavor of popsicle or what combination would you like to try?
Contest is closed! Winners were Lavisha and Brooke. Congratulations!
My mother is diabetic and doesn’t like the fake sugars available, so this may just be the thing. I’d also like a sugar substitute for coffee and some sweets. Thanks for the opportunity….
I loved iced green tea and found a great blend but I have been looking for a sweetner and nothing tastes quite right. My most recent sweetner is a Stevia/raw sugar blend that does leave an aftertaste and only reduces calories. I look forward to the day I find a really good calorie free natural sweetner so I can enjoy my tea//1
I would give it to my step-mom, who is diabetic. She would use it in her apple pies, she makes really good ones and loves them, but can’t have them anymore.
I’m going to make these yummy looking pops for my husband who is still hankering for ice cream. This ought to do the trick. Thanks so much 🙂
Thanks for all you do to pass on what you know!! Teaching is a gift of sharing that keeps on going. I would love to try Habitall in my coffee!! And everything else of course but I really have changed our diets in the last three years, we lost almost 40 lbs each and sugar is one of those things I refuse to use much of, don’t like Stevia or any of the other replacements so to find an alternative would be a wonderful addition to our new healthy way of living. Thanks again for sharing and I will be looking for this new product and telling everyone I know about it! Pay it forward 😉
I use it in my recipes like homemade applesause, in my tea and on my cereals.
Please add to my previous note:
I would love to try the Habitall — all natural sugar. I am going to order the popsicle holders. TY!
I would like to try:
Pina Colada: coconut, fresh pineapple
Tropical: Mango, pineapple, banana, mint
Very Berry: Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, ginger
Yummy Stony (fruits): apricot, peaches, cherries, nectarines, plums, cinnamon
Pear Delight: Pears, apples, nutmeg, cinnamon, cranrasins
I would use soy milk, a few golden raisins as needed.
I have all your cookbooks, both the hard copy and the e-copies. I follow your blog faithfully and have made many positive changes in our family’s diet. TY for taking the time to experiment, study, perfect and photograph beautiful healthy food. I am a diabetic who is doing better with lower numbers & feeling better. I thank you for this.
You show pictures of the yummy looking popsicles today. I would love to try “Habitall”. None of the natural sweetners cuts it taste wise. I make menus and help with the cooking for our daughter and grandchildren. It is a Huge challenge getting palates changed and making recipes that are enjoyed by the children as well. We’re making progress!!
I would love to be considered for trying Habitall. How do you get it? Can you order it?
Keep on with your great work. It takes time for people to make permanent changes. I am committed! Warmly, LaVonne
Hi Lavonne,
It’s available through the fundraiser only right now, it’s not in stores. Go to: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/habitall-all-natural-sugar-replacement-low-calorie-diabetic-friendly
That is so nice of you to give away to sample packs, I would love to try one. These Popsicles look amazing and I can’t wait to make them for my kids, they love fruit and they will definitely love this. We’ve had a vita-mix for four years now, and I always skip out on the sugar when recipe calls for it. It would be awesome to try something to substitute for sugar. I really hope to see this in stores soon. Thanks! 🙂
I am always looking for healthy products that serve as sweeteners. I’ll look for Habitall at my health food store. I am trying to back off of anything sweet, except natural fruit, but once in a while I need something and I agree that stevia’s taste isn’t the best. Thanks for the tip. And I can’t wait to make your popcicles!
It’s not available for sale in stores yet, so far you can only get it through their fundraiser campaign http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/habitall-all-natural-sugar-replacement-low-calorie-diabetic-friendly and by entering my contest here.
I stopped using any artificial sweeteners since December 2012. I have been clearer headed and my sweet tooth is better. But, there are still some things I’d like to use sugar in and this sounds like a great alternative. Thanks!
These sound great and as local strawberries are in in Ohio now I would like to make some strawberry popsicles. I have 2 granddaughters, 3 & 5 years old and would like to have them made for the next time they come over and healthy sugar free would be great. I hardly ever use regular sugar anymore – been using agave, honey, maple syrup or turbinado
forgot to say – I would like to try a sample of habitall
I have heard about monk fruit sweetner but have never tasted it. I would love to add it to my herbal teas as a healthy alternative.
I miss having low cal sweetener for my coffee and tea… went straight off them and would love an alternate to stevia. I will be watching for this one to become available.
I was recently diagnosed with cancer and am trying to change my diet to help fuel my immune system. Tough to give up sugar though so an alternative would be useful to help make the occasional cookie a little less of a guilty pleasure!
No fancy recipes here either. Sometimes I put a NuStevia packet in my oatmeal or in my tea. I am always looking for healthy alternatives to sugar and other unhealthy foods.
I have a recipe for basil-pineapple popsicles and would like to try Habitall in them instead of sugar!
No fancy recipes here – would just like to try as an alternative for agave in my morning coffee (Fair Trade) & polenta porridge. Thanks for all you do to inspire, educate & look out for us!
I have been addicted to sugar since having four kids, so Im very happy i subscribed to your website i can finally wing off adding sugar to everything!! and of course my kids will love to make these too! thank you for sharing its hard preparing foods for myself and my hubby and kids!
Thanks Veronica.
That popsicle looks very good now for hot Georgia in the USA.
I would like to try a pineapple/mango/strawberry combination. Sounds yummy right!!! 🙂
I am happy that Habitall is here as those other sweetners with asparatame is very harmful. And yes, stevia does have that after taste. I am off sugars, but would try Habital for church pot luck baking and for special occasions.
Thanks for all that you do. I have lost 20 pounds to date (sice April 19, 2013)since I have started on this low-fat (mostly raw) vegan journey when I first found your website. I am blessed through your health ministry. Thank you very much.
Habitall sounds great! I’ve been on the hunt for a decent sugar replacement without the side effects, as you also experienced. I’d love to try this product out to expand my healthy dessert options and, especially, in my tea!
Good morning Veronica,
I would love to try your “Fruitsicles”, they look so delicious and I would love to win a “free bag of Habitall” so I can make my own. What an excellent and healthy idea
Thanks
I would love to try Habitall. My husband is a Type 2 diabetic and has problems with splenda.
We love strawberry popsicles.
I would love to try this product. I use organic cane sugar in my baking presently but I have to cut back on what recipes call for since most sweets simply taste too sweet for me. The alternative is to use overripe bananas but I’m not a fan of bananas on a good day.
As a newcomer to the Vegan diet, I have been looking for ways to increase the choices of foods – especially for dinner because my husband has joined “us ” too!
Your recipes have been a God-send! Not only have they been delicious, but simple to make. I really appreciate your careful insights into each recipe, as they calm my nerves before I venture into new territories.
I value your opinion, and so would love to try the new sweetener – especially for my husband, as I am trying to wean him off sugar and he says everything tastes “awful”. (I’ll substitute that word, because I can’t print his actual words!!!!!!!)
Thanks.
Veronica,
These popsicles look delicious! I have a very dry mouth from a cancer drug I’m taking. (My kidney was removed last year and this drug is keeping the remaining cancer from spreading.) These popsicles would help alleviate my dry mouth and deal with the hot and humid summer in eastern Canada. (I don’t have air conditioning!) I’ve also been transitioning to a vegan diet to strengthen my immune system and am using your books to help with that process. I’m about 95% vegan now! I use Stevia sparingly and you’re right about the bitter aftertaste. This new products sounds like a wonderful alternative. Also, I have a six-month old granddaughter and I’m trying to teach my daughter some of the lessons I’m learning so that this precious baby will grow up as healthy as possible. She loves to suck on cold and frozen foods as she’s teething, so small chunks of these popsicles would be ideal.
Thanks for all the work you do to create delicious vegan recipes!
Debbie
I always make popsicles in the summer. Would love to try the Habitall.
They look yummy! I have made fruit popsicles in the past and they don’t turn out sweet. So adding a bit of sugar or alternative is a good idea. I would love to try Habitall in some iced tea, my favorite is mint ice tea.
I’d like to try the sweetner for Herbs coffee in place of Splenda
I would use it in all food prep since I too don’t like stevia due to the aftertaste. If it’s natural, I want it!