“Mommy is God’s gift”…”Mommy is more special than anyone I know.” These words from my youngest son today touched my heart in a way that I cannot explain. These words are what help keep me grounded and keep everything I do in perspective. I could soak in these words for 24 hours a day.
My youngest son and I have a running joke. “I love you more than you love me,” he says, to which I respond, “did you know that your mom will always love you more than you love her?” My son then responds, “that’s not possible, of course, I love you more than you love me.” We could go on like this for hours. I savor every word he speaks because I know that when he turns into a teenager like my other boys, that things will change. Although I know my older three boys love me, they are less vocal about it than my 9-year old.
I know most kids think their mom is the best mom ever and that there can’t possibly be anyone better than their mom, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t savor every word. I am so grateful to have four healthy and loving boys, and an adoring husband that has remained so committed to me.
I am also so thankful for the many gifts that God has given me and for the understanding and clarity of what I should be doing with these gifts. I am continuing to learn something new each and every day and hope that I can use whatever gifts I have been given to help those around me in however way I can, small or big. I would like to thank my family, all of my friends and followers for your support and encouragement during this journey.
Today, I am sharing a recipe for Berry Popsicles. Whether you use strawberry, blueberry, raspberry or blackberry, these are a healthy treat that I made for a friend a few weeks ago who is undergoing chemotherapy. I made Blueberry Mango Popsicles for her and she loved them, and more importantly, she was able to eat them. During chemotherapy treatment, many people experience mouth sores which makes it especially difficult to eat foods. On top of this, loss of appetite interferes with the ability to nourish the body and keep it healthy enough to continue on with chemotherapy treatments. With all the ups and downs that go on throughout chemotherapy, it is so important to keep well nourished and to be in tune with your body.
Two of my friends who are also sisters, Jessica and Stephanie of The HopeFULL Company, have a wonderful product that makes it easy to make these Berry Popsicles or any other healthy popsicle you can come up with for friends with cancer. These ladies came up with this product when they first started making healthy popsicles for a friend undergoing chemotherapy. They realized there was a need for food in a form that could easily be enjoyed by cancer patients and keep their bodies nourished.
My friend with cancer just celebrated her birthday this past week, and has several more months of chemotherapy to undergo. These Berry Popsicles were one of the foods she specifically requested that I make for her this week. Thank you Jessica and Stephanie for such an incredibly loving gift you have given all of us so that we can help make it easier for friends with cancer. Please check out the story behind The HopeFULL Company and their products. Their kits make a thoughtful gift or even better buy one for yourself so you can make some healthy popsicles for your friends undergoing chemotherapy.
Berry Popsicles
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen berries blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries
- 1 cup fresh mango
- 3/4 cup non-dairy yogurt I used So Delicious Coconut Yogurt
- 3/4 cup infant brown rice or oatmeal cereal
Instructions
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Place all ingredients in blender and puree until smoothe. Spoon into popsicle molds and insert popsicle sticks in center of each popsicle mold; freeze overnight.
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To remove popsicles from mold, place mold in a hot water bath for a few minutes and gently rock popsicle stick back and forth to remove popsicle from mold.
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To store, place in a freezer bag in a single later. Pops can be removed as needed.
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These popsicles look soooo good and refreshing! How sweet of you to make these for your friend. 🙂
I’ll definitely be voting for you!
Thanks Lindsey. I can’t tell you how happy it made me to see my friend eat one of these pops. It is such a rewarding experience.
These popsicles look so fresh and refreshing! Would love one right now!
The love between little boys and their mums is so precious. I know I feel that every time my boys hug me. These blueberry popsicles look wonderful and I can only begin to imagine how much your friend appreciate them, so obviously made with love.
Dara, the love between boys and their moms is really special isn’t it, and each and every hug is so memorable, especially as they get older. I really enjoy cooking for friends with cancer. It helps me connect with them, and I feel blessed to be able to help them in whatever way I can, even if it is by making these simple popsicles.
Thanks for always sharing wonderful recipes. Perhaps what makes you a real amazing mom, and person is your big heart. You are a gift, Jeanette…Thanks!
Yummy! 🙂 you know I love your blog but I found this on foodgawker! 🙂 Looks great!
Yummy…that looks great
Love the addition of the baby’s rice cereal and the coconut oil for extra nutrition boost. Perfect for sore mouths as well as for those needing extra nutrition during chemo. Great post.
What an uplifting post so full of love 🙂 It must be so rewarding to provide nourishing tasty foods to cancer patients. I admire what you are doing.
Thank you for your kind note Martha. I can’t even describe how rewarding it is to cook for people with cancer. There is such a need and my hope is to help others learn about “Food as Medicine” so they can not only help themselves, but those around them. The simple act of cooking for someone is such a pleasure and I feel as if I get more out of it than those that receive my food.
Great popsicles and you are a wonderful friend. Love the use of spoons {and coconut oil} in them too! I, too, savor all the sweet words that come from my 9 yo son and 10 yo daughter!
Oh, so sweet…I just live for those moments ♥. I’m loving these pops right now…I’m on a total popsicle kick! I hope you’ll drop by and link them up to my the Summer of the Popsicle event: http://www.girlichef.com/2012/05/summer-of-popsicle-2012.html . 🙂
I love that there isn’t a bunch of added sugar in these. I am so glad your friend enjoyed these and was able to eat the food you made out of love.
Yummy! This is my kind of medicine.
i never thought about putting cereal in popsicles! wow jeanette, you are a blessing to your friend! and your son is sooo sweet. awwww 🙂