Happy National Ice Cream Appreciation Day 2015!

Wishing you a day filled with lots of tasty ice cream!

Homemade Ice Cream Recipe

We are switching it up today and sharing a classic Vanilla Bean Ice Cream recipe so you are ready to celebrate National Ice Cream Appreciation Day tomorrow!

[Ingredients]

• 3/4 cup sugar 

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

• 1/8 teaspoon salt 

• 2 cups milk 

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• 1 egg yolk 

• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste

[Directions]

1. Whisk together first 3 ingredients in a large heavy saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk and cream. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 10 to 12 minutes or until mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat.

1. Whisk egg yolk until slightly thickened. Gradually whisk about 1 cup hot cream mixture into yolk. Add yolk mixture to remaining cream mixture, whisking constantly. Whisk in vanilla bean paste. Cool 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

1. Place plastic wrap directly on cream mixture, and chill 8 to 24 hours.

1. Pour mixture into freezer container of a 1 1/2-qt. electric ice-cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. (Instructions and time may vary.)

1. *Vanilla extract may be substituted.

Check out this recipe and more at MyRecipes.com

Puffy Ice Cream Cone Craft: SPLURGE! friday

Happy SPLURGE! Friday! In honor of Ice Cream Appreciation Month today's craft is the perfect way to spend your SPLURGE friday! Check out this awesome craft by Crafty Morning

Materials Needed:

• Green, Red & Brown Paint [or substitute the green for a color of your choice!]
• Elmer's Glue
• Barbasol Shaving Cream
• White card stock Paper
• Cardboard
•  Markers
• Scissors
• Paint Brushes

Once you have your materials ready to go, begin by....

1. Start by mixing the elmer’s glue with the shaving cream until you get “stiff peaks” in the mixture.
2. Add some green paint or food coloring to the puffy paint. Cut out a triangle cone with cardboard and draw lines with a marker. (I used an Amazon delivery box I had laying around)
3. Using a paintbrush, paint an ice cream cone shape on top of the cone. Take a tiny paintbrush/brown paint and add little chocolate chips!
4. Add some red cherries at the top if you want! Let it dry overnight and it’ll be puffy to touch!

Check out the full article HERE and check out all of Crafty Mornings posts!

QUIZ: What Flavor of Ice Cream are YOU?

Let’s have a little fun on this Program Resource Thursday….find out what ice cream you are……

TAKE THE QUIZ

Ice Cream Sandwich Company Giving Back

Today we would like to feature a wonderful ice cream company that has been a Dream Team Member for many years! Not only do they create astounding [and delicious] products but they also joined the fight against pediatric cancer…until there is a cure! 

Check out our friends at Nye's Cream Sandwiches, here is their story……

Once upon a time

Ice cream sandwiches were the furthest thing from my mind when I met Christian just before my senior year of high school in Pensacola, Florida. But even then I enjoyed a good meal, and quickly discovered that Christian has a talent for all things culinary. Sharpening his skills at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Christian graduated in 1996 and moved to Austin, Texas, where I was finishing up law school. There he began building his resume: working in upscale restaurants, as the executive chef of a large catering company, and later as a private chef. Like many young couples, we spent the early years of marriage joining the rat race in search of….what? I could never quite figure out what was at the top of that ladder.

Change of focus

In 2002, our work-obsessed lives hit a wall when our oldest son was born. I soon realized that my heart would not allow me to return to the office. Thankfully, I worked with a group of attorneys who supported my decision to work from home (or, quite often, my favorite coffee shop). A year or so later, we said goodbye to Austin and moved our little family to Wilmington, North Carolina—a quaint coastal town offering a slower pace and a 15-minute drive to the beach. Nine months later, our youngest son made his appearance. While I continued to work from home, Christian was still logging long hours as the executive chef of a hotel on the beach and later at a country club. After years of Christian missing family dinners, T-ball games and school programs, it became painfully obvious that things had to change. But how?

Just another sandwich?

Opening a restaurant was a life-long ambition for Christian, and suddenly the timing seemed right. We were determined to make this a family affair, and found what seemed like the perfect spot for our neighborhood café. Nearly an acre of land with established gardens would allow the boys to run and (even better) learn to grow something! Determined to turn this fantasy into a reality, I set to work on a business plan and Christian began dreaming up the menu. Sure enough, a handmade ice cream sandwich found its way onto the dessert menu. While we both felt this was a great addition to the menu, we never really imagined the possibilities until….

Read more….

Emotional Support: A Good Read

Curious George: Goes to the Ice Cream Shop

Today’s emotional support stems from a classical novel character, the one and only Curious George! This book is the perfect addition to Ice Cream Week AND is also the perfect distraction for those yucky chemo days. 

Here is a brief synopsis of this classic read:

There are so many colorful, delicious flavors of ice cream in Mr. Herb's store. Which should George try? Why not a scoop of everything? It doesn't take long for a mischievous monkey to make a mountain of a mess, but Curious George manages to turn chaos into triumph as only he can.

Order your copy HERE!

Check out these great printable coloring pages of George's Ice Cream Adventure

Staying Cool & Ice Cream Week

In honor of National Ice Cream Month & National Ice Cream Day this Sunday, we are excited to announce all blog posts are catered to this classic tasty treat!

It is no secret that cancer, moreover, chemotherapy can cause you to overheat or crave cold treats. In fact we have discussed this topic in past blog posts!

Today we would like share with you simple ways to keep cool during the hot summer and beyond....

1. Wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably of a light color.
2. Cotton clothing will keep you cooler than many synthetics.
3. Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the refrigerator for a quick refreshing spray to your face after being outdoors.
4. Fans can help circulate air and make you feel cooler even in an air-conditioned house.
5. Try storing lotions or cosmetic toners in the refrigerator to use on hot, overtired feet.
6. Freeze plastic water bottles in the fridge these can be used as cooling pas OR can be filled half-3/4 full to cool down drinking water. wearing a cap or hat, remove it and pour a bit of ice cold water into the hat, then quickly invert it and place on your head.
7. Instead of hot foods, try lighter summer fare including frequent small meals or snacks containing cold fruit or low fat dairy products. As an added benefit, you won't have to cook next to a hot stove.