When my toddler is sick, I opt to make homemade ice pops as opposed to the ones made with food dyes and loads of sugar. And while "organic" and fruit pops made with "real cane sugar" and no preservatives is a much better choice (hey, we've all been there), I still like to avoid cane sugar and even the health food store ice pops. Sugar during illness will only weaken the immune system, so when possible it is best to stick to natural fruit sugar for children.
Raspberries are known for their high vitamin c (about 32.23 mg per 1 cup) as well as antioxidant content. These little red beauties are a summer time favorite, but because they are so delicate I like to buy frozen raspberries year round (unless picked fresh from the farm or wild berries from our homestead).
In this recipe I add plenty of natural electrolytes from coconut water, collagen powder for an extra protein and amino acid boost, and although raspberries are packed with vitamin c (organic more so than conventional) - during times of illness I add a small amount of sodium ascorbate.
A little bit about sodium ascorbate: I found this wonderful product recommendation from Dr. Suzanne Humphries. Do not confuse sodium ascorbate with sodium ascorbic. Ascorbate is the anti-oxidant component of the whole vitamin c complex. This is not a whole food supplement but rather pharmaceutical grade potent vitamin c product and should be handled as such (this brand is sourced from non-gmo ingredients and recommended by Dr. Humphries herself). For full use during acute illness - please follow directions from a practitioner or healthcare professional, or read Dr. Suzanne Humphries' instructions in its entirety.
Lastly, this recipe is great for pregnant/postpartum mamas too for an immune boost, hydration, and to help with some pregnancy/postpartum ailments. It is also great for babies who have started solids already and great for teething! You can freeze this recipe into a smaller silicone mold and then pop the little frozen treats into a mesh or silicone baby feeder for relief.
I hope you enjoy and definitely prepare these before sickness hits your home so you have them ready to go!
Vitamin C Raspberry Ice Pops
Ingredients:
1 cup frozen raspberries
1 1/4 cups coconut water
1 scoop of collagen powder
1 teaspoon of sodium ascorbate
Directions:
Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender (except for sodium ascorbate)
Add in sodium ascorbate and mix with a spoon
Pour into ice-pop molds, ice-cube trays, silicone molds (whatever you have!)
Freeze for a minimum of 6 hours
Serve & Enjoy!
Notes:
The sodium ascorbate is SODIUM so it will be salty! Just add slowly to this recipe. You can also alternatively add some camu camu powder (a natural vitamin c fruit powder) or Cataplex C from Standard Process (sold through healthcare professionals only).
You can also steep organic lemon balm tea or chamomile tea as well and use this either with or instead of coconut water
Feel free to substitute raspberries for another frozen fruit like strawberries, blueberries or a bag of mixed berries!
With Joy,
Nicol
Comments