pop! goes my summer: 4-ingredient protein pops

Note: This post is sponsored by OLLY. All comments and opinions expressed here are – as always – completely my own.

When I went for my annual check-up last summer I was (NOT pleasantly) surprised to see that I had put on some weight (Full disclosure: I had just come off a weekend where I attended a wedding, and singlehandedly eviscerated every tray of baby lamb chops that came out of the kitchen. #goals).

But still. It was enough to propel me into a full-on freak out. What more could I do? I ran 3 times a week, and thought I did a pretty good job at watching what I ate (aforementioned lamb chops notwithstanding).

On further reflection, however, I realized that not while my diet was not – calorically speaking – excessive, I was eating way too much of what I call the “white” diet (cereal, bagels, pasta, cookies), and not nearly enough protein. So I decided to conduct an informal experiment – eliminating flour from my diet (except for some occasional pasta at dinnertime only) and increasing my protein intake.

One year later and not only is my weight back to where I wanted it to be – without a speck of “dieting” – but I am less hangry during those trigger hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.. For me, getting sufficient protein was key to keeping my weight in-check AND staving off junk-food inducing hunger.

Which is why I was thrilled when OLLY asked me to sample their brand-new line of smoothies!

It was hard to avoid reading about protein powders as I was researching recipes for my new diet. But the few I tried were either gritty or overly sweet – yuck.

Enter OLLY Smoothies.

OLLY believes that “food should be food” – so their products are created with natural, whole food sources such as pea protein and goji berries. Fiber comes from apples, flax and cassava root. And vitamins are sourced from organic fruits and veggies. In addition, their products are all vegan and gluten-free – perfect for our family!

I knew immediately that I wanted to create some fun protein popsicles – that could serve as breakfast, post-workout treat or anytime snack – and I landed on four 4-ingredient pops that are easy and delicious.

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I took my inspiration from the flavors I received: Velvet Vanilla and Café Mocha (and can we pause and take a look at the clever scoop and leveling edge built right into the container?).

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I made Vanilla Bean Milkshake and Birthday Cake Pops with the Velvet Vanilla, and I used the Café Mocha to whip up some Mocha Chip and PB & Banana Pops.

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And there’s more! The nice folks at OLLY are hosting a fab giveaway. Prizes include an extended supply of any two OLLY Smoothie flavors, a $500 Target gift card, a $200 Athleta gift card and a Harly Pasternak blender.

To enter, simply sign up for OLLY’s newsletter, and follow OLLY on Instagram. Following them on Pinterest and Twitter is not required but will count as two additional giveaway entries.

Everyone who enters will automatically receive a $5 coupon (via e-mail) to Target for any OLLY Smoothie.

Ready to make some popsicles?

Vanilla Milkshake Pops (makes 5; can be doubled)

1 cup vanilla almond milk
½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste (may substitute ½ teaspoon vanilla extract)
2 scoops OLLY Velvet Vanilla Smoothie Mix
5 maraschino cherries

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Place almond milk, vanilla bean paste, OLLY smoothie mix and one cup cold water in a blender. Blend till smooth. Place a cherry in the bottom of each of 5 popsicle molds – fill with smoothie. Freeze for one hour, till slushy. Insert popsicle sticks and freeze till solid (about 4 hours, or overnight). To release the pops, hold molds briefly under hot water and return to freezer till ready to serve.

4-ingredient-protein-pops #ad

Birthday Cake Pops (makes 5; can be doubled)

1 cup vanilla almond milk
¼ teaspoon almond extract
2 scoops OLLY Velvet Vanilla Smoothie Mix
1 tablespoon rainbow sprinkles

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Place almond milk, almond extract, OLLY smoothie mix and one cup cold water in a blender. Blend till smooth. Starting with the smoothie, pour a bit into the bottom of each of 5 popsicle molds. Freeze till the top is slushy and add a layer of sprinkles. Repeat this layering two or three more times, finishing with the sprinkles and adding your popsicle sticks. Freeze till solid (about 4 hours, or overnight). To release the pops, hold molds briefly under hot water and return to freezer till ready to serve.

4-ingredient-protein-pops #ad

Mocha Chip Pops (makes 5; can be doubled)

1 cup almond milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 scoops OLLY Café Mocha Energy Smoothie Mix
¼ cup dairy-free chocolate chips

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Place almond milk, vanilla extract, OLLY smoothie mix and one cup cold water in a blender. Blend till smooth. Pour 1/3 of the smoothie into each of 5 popsicle molds – freeze till slushy and top with half the chocolate chips. Add another layer of smoothie and freeze again. Top with remaining chocolate chips. Freeze till slushy and add the remaining smoothie, along with your popsicle sticks. Freeze till solid (about 4 hours, or overnight). ). To release the pops, hold molds briefly under hot water and return to freezer till ready to serve.

4-ingredient-protein-pops #ad

Peanut Butter Banana Pops (makes 5; can be doubled)

1 cup almond milk
1 banana, half cut into chunks, half cut into 15 slices – freeze both before using
2 scoops OLLY Café Mocha Energy Smoothie Mix
2 tablespoons peanut butter (may substitute with any nut butter)

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Place almond milk, banana chunks, OLLY smoothie mix, peanut butter and one cup cold water in a blender. Blend till smooth. Place a banana slice in the bottom of each of 5 popsicle molds – top with 1/3 of the smoothie and freeze till slushy. Repeat with another layer of banana slices and smoothie. Freeze till slushy. Finish with the final layer of banana slices and smoothie – add your popsicle sticks and freeze till solid (about 4 hours, or overnight). ). To release the pops, hold molds briefly under hot water and return to freezer till ready to serve.4-ingredient-protein-pops #ad

(print this recipe)


This delicious recipe brought to you by Sheri Silver
https://sherisilver.com/2016/10/04/pop-goes-my-summer-4-ingredient-protein-pops/

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Hi! I'm Sheri!

Welcome to my little corner of the web where you’ll find easy, delicious recipes, the best kitchen hacks and simple tips for turning your home into a clean haven that is free of toxins. So glad you’re here!