Sometimes simple things are better and lazy people have got it right.

Prime example: last summer, when my mom brought a watermelon home from the store I would immediately cut it open, slice it into cubes, and store it in a Tupperware for easy access! However, at the beginning of watermelon season this summer, I was at the beach with my friend. So instead of taking the time to cut the watermelon into cubes herself, my sister decided to just slice the watermelon open and scoop it out with a spoon… straight into her mouth!

In effect, she made the easiest bowl of watermelon ever!

Well, I’ve gotta admit: as soon as I got back from the beach this idea caught on and I started eating my watermelon straight from the melon just like my sister. Because she was right: it wasn’t worth cubing the watermelon when you could make the process a lot easier, and still achieve the same watermelon-eating result!

Unfortunately, watermelon has one fatal flaw: it’s huge. So, we’ll now often find ourselves not finishing the watermelon before it goes bad! However, I’ve recently discovered the perfect solution to this. Last summer, I made watermelon sorbet. But this summer I made sorbet’s kid-friendly cousin: popsicles.

And I made them watermelon mint, as if homemade popsicles wasn’t fancy enough!

The trick to making the perfect fruit pop is actually straining the juice through a cheesecloth or paper towel before pouring it into the molds. Ever tried to make popsicles but just ended up with sticky, weirdly fibrous ice bars? By simply straining the fiber out of the juice prior to freezing, you can avoid this completely- and end up with a Popsicle with the same texture as a store-bought freeze pop!

Additionally, if you’ve never had watermelon and mint together you need to give this recipe a try asap! The mint cuts the sweetness of the watermelon, so it’s not overpowering, while adding a nice savory dimension that makes these popsicles feel less like treats for your five your old son… and more like something you can enjoy yourself! 😉

Oh, and need I mention they’re only 35 calories each? Just three ingredients and you’re on your way to some delicious, refreshing popsicles that will cool you down perfectly after a hot day at the pool!

Ps. if you don’t have popsicle sticks feel free to be like me and use spoons instead! 😉

Watermelon Mint Popsicles

• 4 1/2 c watermelon, cubed
• 3 tbs fresh mint leaves (or 1/8 tsp mint extract)
• sweetener to taste (such as honey, sugar, agave)

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Strain through a cheesecloth or paper towel rubber-banded around the top of a bowl. (This removes the fiber, which would otherwise sink to the bottom of your popsicles.) Pour the strained juice into popsicle molds, press a stick into the center of each mold, and freeze for 6-8 hours, or until solid. Remove from the freezer and let thaw until you can remove the popsicles from the molds. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (from myfitnesspal.com)

(Yields 6 servings)