Hello hot stuff. School is back, the year has begun and as per usual at this time of year, Melbourne has turned on the stinking hot. Stinking hot alternating with cold and rain of course, because Melbourne has it’s eccentric weather reputation to maintain. Anyway, today is hot (!) and all we want to eat is watermelon and Plum and Kefir Popsicles.

There’s nothing quite like going to back to school to jolt you back to reality. Already our summer holidays feel like a million years ago, but somehow we are not yet comfortably back in to routine, although we are taking all the steps we can to get there. A little bit of sunshine and rain in alternation are lovely and refreshing and keep life interesting, but blistering heat which makes you hide inside with all the curtains closed and the house in lock down is definitely not my favourite.

But, I guess as with all things, we must look for the upside. I’m sure there are many like swims at the pool after school or escaping out to dinner, because no-one wants to cook in the heat and restaurants have air conditioning! Sleep is harder, but these nights make you appreciate the snuggly feeling of being under a doona the rest of the year. And in this kind of heat, it’s totally acceptable to eat icy poles (popsicles) whenever you feel like it. Breakfast, snack, dessert; just because you can’t bear the heat any more. Make them healthy and gobble them down, lest they melt before your very eyes.

The late rains and some crafty super-early netting on our part saw us bag heaps of plums from our plum tree this year! The first time in years and years (dastardly possums). We literally have bowls full on our counters. And as always happens with home-grown goodness, it’s ripening all at once. So here is one way to use up that precious fruit, combined with kefir and hemp seeds for extra goodness, and keep it going for a few more weeks yet…

Kefir is super good for you and super easy to make if you have some kefir grains or kefir starter powder. You can buy grains at some amazing health food stores or online, or can buy the powder in the fridge at most decent health food stores. Just swirl the grains or powder through some milk and allow to sit on the bench at room temperature for 24 hours, covered with some cheesecloth or something to keep any bugs out but allow the air in. The result is a tangy drink, full of good bacteria and is something like a cross between milk and tangy yoghurt. Strain your grains out before popping into the fridge and you can use them again and again.

By making your own kefir you avoid any baddies that can sometimes be in store bought kefir (milk powder and sugar, I’m looking at you), and you can flavour it as you wish with vanilla, spices or pureed fruit. Use it in a smoothie or on your morning breakfast bowl, or just take a little shot of it for intestinal health. If you’ve never had kefir before, take it easy and build up slowly, allowing your little tummy time to get used to it’s new good bacteria buddies. Oh, and it’s great for kids – at least mine love it.

Plum and Kefir Popsicles

with vanilla and hemp seeds

These popsicles are full of goodness, minus any badness, meaning you can say ‘Yes!’ every time you or your kid wants one! They taste creamy and tangy, with freshness from the fruit and a some extra oomph from the hemp seeds, and are a snap to make in a blender in about 5 minutes flat. Then all you have to do is wait for them to freeze…. definitely the hardest part. Make them at night after the kids have gone to bed and you can have a surprise treat ready the next day. And, especially on hot days, popsicles for breakfast is definitely okay.

Makes around 12 popsicles

First blend: kefir mix

500ml kefir
2 teaspoons vanilla powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 drops liquid stevia (or to taste)
1 tablespoon runny honey
1/4 cup (40g) hemp seeds

Second blend: plum mix

8 blood plums, skins on but seeds removed – around 300g
10 drops liquid stevia (or to taste, depending on the sweetness of your plums)
1/4 cup maple syrup

In a blender, blend together all the kefir mix ingredients until smooth. Pour the mixture in to all the popsicle moulds, leaving a few centimetres (or an inch or so) space to add in the plum mixture.

In the same blender, blend together all the plum mix ingredients until smooth. Top up each popsicle mould with a little of the plum mixture, then freeze for around 8 hours, or until firmly frozen.

Enjoy on the next hot day, or any time you need a post school treat…

For some really excellent instructions on making your own kefir, click here!