mamachallenge | Real Solutions for Real Parents | Dallas Blog

Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

COPYCAT Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

By 43 Comments

Nothing is better than Blue Bell homemade vanilla ice cream. And we have a copycat recipe that tastes just like Blue Bell at home and tips to for making the best ice cream. 

affiliate-links

There’s nothing more Texan than  a big bowl of homemade vanilla ice cream straight from Brenham’s Blue Bell Creameries in the middle of July. However, you often hear when someone moves up north to one of the Yankee states, the sweet taste of BB is no where to be found (and everything fails in comparison.) 

Bluebell-Copycat-Homemade-Vanilla-Ice-Cream-Recipe


So in times like these (or during a little shortage catastrophe), I’ve worked to create the best version I could of the real thing using a simple and easy ice cream maker.  Don’t believe me that it’s possible?

Make it yourself, take a bite and tell me I’m wrong. (Really, I want you too!) 

Never made homemade ice cream before? Think it takes tons of work? You’re wrong! You just need a few tips and an ice cream maker. Of course, there’s tons of ice cream makers out there – you just need to find the right one for you! Check out my review of several on Good Morning Texas.

While I created my recipe for Bluebell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream with the old school Hamilton ice maker (no switch is even on this baby), there are other ways to create a creamy treat – even some without using dairy! Take a look at these gadgets – especially the fun ones that have you take an active roll is making you scream for your ice cream.

Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker

Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker

Dessert Bullet

T-Fall Ice Cream Maker

F-Fal Ice Cream Maker

Ya Labs Ice Cream Maker Ball

Yay Labs! Ice Cream Ball

Chill Factor Ice Cream MakerChill Factor Ice Cream Maker

Bluebell-Homemade-Vanilla-Ice-Cream-MamaChallenge

 

Print

COPYCAT Bluebell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews
Print Recipe

Description

Recipe created by Autumn Reo of MamaChallenge.com.

Ingredients

  • 6 eggs yolks
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 24 oz. heavy cream
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
  • Whole Milk (about 2 cups)

Instructions

  1. Cream eggs and sugar.
  2. Then add cream and condensed milk and vanilla.
  3. Beat until well blended.
  4. Pour into ice cream churn.
  5. Add milk until to fill line.
  6. Insert dasher.
  7. Pack cooler with layer of ice, then rock salt, and continue to repeat until full.
  8. It’s done when it won’t churn anymore.

Ready to dress up that ice cream? We have the best ice cream sodas! 

Best Ice Cream Sodas Ever

Summer Sippin: Frozen Rose Slushie (Frosé)

By 5 Comments

Counting down to summer in 3, 2, 1…One taste of this frosé (that’s fancy for frozen rose slushie), you’ll be ready to for the lazy days cooling off next to the pool or at least enjoy dreaming about it. 

Thanks to Total Wine & More® in Allen for kicking off the summer right with this sponsored post.

Frozen Rose

Total Wine & More® its new doors in Allen with a grand opening party, it was time to call in the troops for an evening without the kids and with the girls. 


Total-Wine-Rose-Slushee

Total-Wine-Rose-Slushee  Total-Wine-Rose-Slushee

Total-Wine-Rose-Slushee

If you’ve never to a Total Wine (aka America’s Wine Superstore), the typical store has 8,000 different wines from every wine-producing region in the world, including more than 2,000 wines not available in any other store and more than 2,000 beers. Plus they do sampling, tastings and classes to educated you and help you to appreciate your wine much more. Tonight’s event included delicious apps, cheese pairings, tastings from favorite makers (Conundrum and Moet!), etchings, games, and lots of laughs. Plus it was another wonderful opportunity to browse the huge selection of wines, whiskeys and other spirits that line the many aisle of Total Wine & More®.

Most the time we are so busy we grab just the names and tastes we know, but this really grabbed my attention for finding a new wine for the summer. 

Total-Wine-Rose-Slushee (20 of 24)

otal-Wine-Rose-Slushee (23 of 24)

Total-Wine-Rose-Slushee (17 of 24)

Being a huge fan of rosé, I was drawn to this beautiful pink display. So of course, this Rose from Brin de Rose caught my attention, too with it’s beautiful packaging and the notes of pepper, floral notes, and that price! I walked out with several bottles ready to take on the summer head on!

frosé

Headed home in the car, I had remembered chatting with a friend a few weeks ago about planning for the summer to spend more time “taking it all in” slowly and savoring the simpleness of all our experiences. The sound of my daughter giggling when she laughs, the aroma of the earth after it rains, the taste of summer when you sip a rose…these were the things we wanted to make sure we enjoyed. 

Somewhere in the conversation, the idea of a frozen rosé popped into our heads. We thought we were geniuses! We had created the best idea since sliced bread. Until of course, I Googled it and found out that we weren’t so smart since half the world had popped up with the same idea. However, the recipes we found for something so simple seemed to take too long (who wants to wait for frozen wine ice cubes) or seemed a little too boring (rose and ice.) We wanted something bright, fresh and like the taste of summer. 

Challenge accepted. 

Our Frozen Rosée Slushy or the fancy name, Frosé, adds all the best parts of summer with berries and lemons blended with rosé, St-Germaine, honey and ice.  The St-Germain is a French liqueur made with Elderflower which is a flower that tastes like like honey and basically the taste of summer and pairs famously with lemons. I was thinking this combination was the perfect pairing for my summer adult slushy, slushee or whatever you want to call it. 

I love when good ideas come together…and then you put them into the blender.

Total-Wine-Rose-Slushee (7 of 24)

Total-Wine-Rose-Slushee (8 of 24)

 

Frozen Rose

And with almost no prep, you have the perfect taste of summer. Cold, in a glass, and ready to be sipped, savored, and enjoyed. Just like summer. If you plan to have 

Total-Wine-Rose-Slushee (4 of 24)

Print

Summer Frozen Rosé Slushee (Frosé)

  • Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com
Print Recipe

Description

Savor summer with this summer sipper perfect for staying cool with those hot, sultry days!

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle of Rosé
  • 1/4 cup St-Germaine (add more if you love Elderflower as much as I do!)
  • 2 cups frozen strawberries (unsweetened)
  • 2-3 tablespoons honey (local honey is always best!)
  • 1-2 cups ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Combine all the ingredients in the blender, adding ice slowly until preferred consistency.

Notes

  • I like a drier Rosé. You can choose a sweeter blend and omit/reduce honey for your taste.)
  • This recipe makes a pitcher at a time. Half this recipe for 2-3 glasses of wine (just right for you and your friend.)

Visit the Total Wine & More® in Allen, Texas at 190 Stacy Road in Allen, Texas or any of the other locations closest to you.

Total-Wine-Rose-Slushee (12 of 24)
Frozen Rose Slushie

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Total Wine & More. The opinions and text are all mine.

 

Ice Cream Pizza = Summer’s New Treat

By 55 Comments

What happens when the best of both worlds: pizza + ice cream come together? It’s THE treat of the summer with Baskin Robbin’s new ice cream pizza. Bite into the Polar Pizza when you enter to win this $50 gift card to Baskin Robbins, one of sweetest partners on mamachallenge.com. 

There’s always a reason for ice cream, but it’s been proclaimed that in the month of July you need to eat it every day since it’s National Ice Cream Month. Always churning out the newest and the coolest, Baskin Robbins has made all our dreams come true with the introduction of the best combination after macaroni and cheese: ice cream pizza.

Polar-Pizza


Appropriately called the Polar Pizza, you can now order this ultimate dessert in four delicious featured flavor combinations: OREO® Cookies ‘N Cream, Peanut Butter ‘n Chocolate and REESE’S® Peanut Butter Cup, Jamoca® Almond Fudge and HEATH®, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. Or of course, you can have the option to create a customized Polar Pizza by combining a tasty Chocolate Chip Cookie or Double Fudge Brownie crust with your favorite ice cream flavor and whatever else you want heap on to your dream pizza.  

Polar-Pizza2

I couldn’t want to try it out myself, so in I went to Baskin Robbins. I also found that this month the ice cream treat leader was honoring 75 years of the USOs commitment to supporting the nation’s military with the introduction of a new ice cream flavor, USO Patriot Pop®. The twisted trio is a twisted blend of red, white and blue and features cherry, lemon and blue raspberry-flavored ice. 

Polar-Pizza

After all, now that I had a theme, I completed my patriotic pie with red, white and blue toppings for a Polar Pizza that was worth a reason to call a party because you’re going to need to bring friends to enjoy it (or take it home to keep frozen and bring a slice out each time you a sweet treat! 

Polar-Pizza3

Ready to make your own Polar Pizza? Then win this $50 gift card from Baskin Robbins! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway (or enter here on mobile.) 

And don’t miss this #mamachallenge moment:

Baskin-Ice-Cream-Sandwich3

4 Ingredient Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream #Snaccident

By 11 Comments

Don’t let busy days (and nights) get in the way of keeping your healthy eating on track… Even if you need a little something extra like this 4 Ingredient Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream. Fiber One makes your #snaccidents be good to eat and good for you. Thanks to Acorn Influence for this yummy collaboration! 

Isn’t it funny that moms spend all that time scoping out Pinterest and creating beautiful meals plans for the family – and don’t normally end up eating any of them?

FiberOneFlavor8


With all the pick ups, drop offs, appointments, loads of laundry, and dishes, and making dinner for the family, there’s never really a time to sit down for a meal. It’s always on the way out the door, in the car, or after everyone has gone to sleep. Besides, when’s the last time you tried to eat meatloaf and vegetables with one hand while typing on the computer? 

FiberOneFlavor

So I resort to snacks…thankfully none of them are shaped like fish or dinosaurs. And being that I want to try to make healthy decisions, but still want it to taste good, Fiber One Bars to the rescue. Whether I’m in need of some protein, a middle-of-the-day snack, or a sweet treat, there are several options with added fiber to keep my taste buds and digestive system in check. Having these buried in a bag, drawer, or the back of the pantry (away from my kids’ little fingers), has saved me many times from not just going hungry, but making sure I don’t head for something that I’ll regret again and again later. 

FiberOneFlavor2

When you bite into one, you never would think that you can get a box of something this good and for only around $3 a box at Walmart!

Fiber One

Full of fiber and flavor, Fiber One bars make a good choice for any time of the day (especially when you’re trying to get things done!) 

Easy, No Churn 4 Ingredient Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

But with summer in full swing, there’s nothing better than a deliciously sweet bowl of dreamy creamy ice cream. So taking the best of both worlds of strawberry cheesecake and ice cream, here’s an easy recipe for 4 ingredient strawberry cheesecake ice cream that will have you looking forward to #snaccidents again and again. And with only 4 ingredients and almost no work (you don’t even need an ice cream maker.) 

FiberOneFlavor5

 

FiberOneFlavor4

While you do use whipping cream for this summerific treat, choose a lowfat/nonfat condensed milk. Using strawberry pie filling also helps to make this ice cream next level, fresh or frozen strawberries can be substituted if you want to add more fruit and less sweetness. With just a few hours, in the freezer, your #snaccident can be transformed into a lifechanging snack experience. 

FiberOneFlavor

Print

4 Ingredient Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

  • Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com
Print Recipe

Description

An easy recipe for strawberry cheesecake ice cream with four ingredients featuring Fiber One Bars.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup whipping cream
  • 1 can low fat condensed milk (14 oz)
  • 1 cup strawberry pie filling, 1 half can
  • 1-2 Fiber One Strawberry Cheesecake Bars, crumbled

FiberOneFlavor7

FiberOneFlavor3

Don’t miss this #mamachallenge moment: 

Coconut-Citrus-Cake-mamachallenge

Make the Most of Your Sweetest Moments

By 120 Comments

This sweet look at life is brought to you by BASKIN-ROBBINS. No matter what life brings, make the most of your sweetest moments. 

The other day while I was buying clothes for the kids, a little tear rolled down my check.

As I continued to thumb through the new size for my son, I kept looking at shirts and thinking, “there’s no way he can wear these!?? These are much to big for my little guy.” Except I knew I was wrong.


He is exactly THAT size. 

As I stepped back at the rack, I realized at in the big room full of clothes consigned for the sale, that each of these rows of clothes weren’t just a room full of well-kept hand-me-downs. They were like little time capsules of each family’s experiences as a child experienced their first day of school, Christmas, a birthday – whatever – they had done it in that shirt. And now it was time for my kid to do the same. 

Baskin-Ice-Cream-Sandwich3

I wasn’t sure if it was one of those hormonal mama moments or what, but all of a sudden, I realized that I looked like Gene Simmons with my mascara running down my face. 

However, it was a good thing. I was getting my own little reminder of how quick they grow up. 

Later when I battled sat in the carpool line to get them from school, I didn’t immediately take them up to start the everyday grind of snack, homework, dinner, bath, book and then bed. 

Instead we went to Baskin-Robbins.

But today it wasn’t just ice cream either. We went for sweet goodness – all.the.way. We went for ice cream sandwiches.

Baskin-Robbins-New-Ice-Cream-Sandwiches

Each of the kids bellied up to the bar to pick two warm cookies – chocolate chip, macadamia  nut, chocolate chocolate chunk or peanut butter. Part of me wanted to order for them, but another mama moment made me see they didn’t need me to do that anymore. 

They could make their own decisions…without my mama’s help. 

Next pairing it with their favorite pick of ice cream. The girl quickly pointed to something pink, purple and filled with sprinkles. The boy, who thinks long and hard about each selected in life, landed on the newest BR flavor, Cookie Jar Mashup, Filled with OREO®, CHIPS AHOY!® and NUTTER BUTTER® cookie pieces with vanilla ice cream swirled with a chocolate ribbon. I gloated a little as I felt he had made just the choice I would have. (Points for mom for instilling good taste.)

Baskin-Robbins-New-Ice-Cream-Sandwiches

Next came the toppings  – one with more sprinkles the other one without. Last the slightly warm cookies sandwiched the ice cream together for two awesomely gooey treats. 

Normally, I would have begun the freak out by requesting the cookies be put in a bowl and carefully asked them not to get their clothes dirty. Actually, I’m pretty sure I would have pulled out the placements I have in the car (yes, I do), but today, it was about just enjoying the simple things.  

Baskin-Robbins-New-Ice-Cream-Sandwiches

Like ice cream and cookies. And lots of love. 

And man, it was a mess. Partly because it’s Texas and it’s already 75 degrees. And the other part because they’re kids and that’s what they do. They make big messes. BIG BIG MESS.

Baskin-Robbins-New-Ice-Cream-Sandwiches

But somehow I didn’t care as we licked the remaining bite and ran to the bathroom to get it off our fingers, face, and my toe. 

Today was about making the most of our sweetest moments. 

And you should too. 

Make time today to celebrate your sweetest moments. One lick at a time. 

Baskin-Robbins-New-Ice-Cream-Sandwiches

Enter now to create your sweetest moments with a giveaway for a Baskin-Robbins gift card for $31

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Baskin-Robbins’ NEW Warm Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches and Sundaes can be personalized with a guest’s choice of warm cookies, their favorite ice cream flavor and topping. The chewy, warmed to order cookie options include Dark Chocolate Chunk, Double Fudge, Peanut Butter Chocolate and White Chunk Macadamia Nut Cookies. Guests can choose their cookie and mix and match more than one type of cookie in their sandwich or sundae for the ultimate flavor experience.

Don’t miss this #MAMACHALLENGE MOMENT 

Cool Down with Unique Ice Cream Sodas

By 14 Comments

Before there was Starbucks…there were Ice Cream Soda shops. And there weren’t WiFi connections or grab and go. You waited your turn to get your special unique ice cream soda and just enjoyed it. 

People gathered to catch up, go on a date, talk business and enjoy life’s simple joys of creamy, delicious, delectable concoctions with a straw and without a device. Just being able to share a Coca-Cola float sprinkled with a few peanuts atop a whip cream (considered the bees knees at the time) was a big treat and no one worried about calories.

Those were the days. And I wouldn’t mind a little moment in a poodle skirt to enjoy one.


While we can’t experience the fun of a soda jerk bringing your favorite soda to the table at too many places anymore, you can play the part at home developing your own unique ice cream sodas. All you need is your imagination to devise your own creations using some of those fun sodas like from Sparkling Ice or Mexican sodas like Juanitos, interesting ice creams in the pint section, and one super cold glass.

And don’t forget your fat pants (this is a great time to find your old maternity pants.)

Ice-Cream-Sodas

So cool off this summer with some of the best recipes for ice cream sodas like we’re making on Good Morning Texas.


All of today’s recipes were made with ingredients found at Tom Thumb/Randalls Stores. However, you can find many of these at your local grocery store in the soda and ice cream aisle (except the beer for our truly fantastic Grownups version of Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream Float.

[Tweet “Tip: Cold Ice Cream + Cold Soda + Cold Glass = Perfect Ice Cream Soda”]

ICE CREAM SODA RECIPES

Cherry-Vanilla-Coke-Ice-Cream-Soda

“The Original” With a Twist – Cherry Coke Float with Peanuts
2 scoops of cherry vanilla ice cream
1 Coca-Cola
Whip Cream
Cherry
Peanuts sprinkled on the top
Or you could use Vanilla Ice Cream with Cherry Coke

Pina-Colada-Ice-Cream-Soda

Pina Colada
2 scoops Coconut Ice Cream
1 Pineapple Soda
Whip Cream

Caramel-Ice-Cream-Soda

Caramel Apple Soda
2 scoops of Caramel Ice Cream
1 Apple Soda
Caramel drizzle

Strawberry Limeade/Lemonade
2 scoops of Strawberry Ice Cream
1 Lemonade or Lime Soda

Guinness Float with Java Chip Ice Cream

Chocolate Brownie with Stout
2 scoops of chocolate ice cream like a dutch or fudge
1 Guinness, Shiner or preferred Chocolate Stout from Dallas Deep Ellum Beer
Sprinkle crumbled brownies at the top

Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream Soda
2 scoops of Peanut Butter Ice Cream
1 Grape Soda

Now make sure to spring for straws and a long spoon to really enjoy sodas the way they were meant to be! 

What’s your favorite ice cream soda flavor? 

Soda

Bluebell-Homemade-Vanilla-Ice-Cream-MamaChallenge

Frozen Birthday Party Ideas for Boys

By 1 Comment

Whether you have an Anna, Elsa, Sven or Olaf, we have the coolest ideas for your Frozen Birthday Party. affiliate-links

“Let it Go” is always the theme for our birthday parties!

I love the whole production from concept to thank you notes and my son has now gotten in the act with me.

Last year was pretty hard to beat when two weeks after we returned from the most amazing trip to Disney World to hand deliver an invite, he “returned” to see us in Texas for a fun Mickey Mouse birthday experience where he joined in all the fun.


Snow-Frozen-Birthday

So when Jackson announced this year’s challenge was actually a Frozen-inspired boy party, I knew I had my work cut out for me. So we’re sharing our Frozen birthday party ideas here (and on a budget!)
 
Frozen-Birthday-for-A-Boy
 
My first plan of action included having snow at the front lawn and an appearance by Sven for a little reindeer petting opportunity. Unfortunately the $850 for the snow delivery to the house and $200/hr for the reindeer wasn’t in the budget. While a sad mama that I couldn’t make the coolest party ever happen, I still had hopes that we could create a little bit of Arendelle without breaking the bank!

The Invite

While there so many cute Invites available for a Frozen birthday, I opted for using a free emailed invite that could also keep track of RSVPs. 
 
 
After the party, I quickly uploaded photos from my iPhone to my local photo shop and within a few hours a cute Thank You with photos from the party and used the back to have Jackson write his name.

The Decor

Using some large appliance boxes, I freehanded a few snowflakes to hang on our fence to give it a little ambience. A very sweet set of friends cut them out for me and then we spray painted them white to hang on our fence with zip ties.
Cost of project:  $2 for six of snowflakes! 
 
Frozen-Birthday-Snowflakes
 
We also blew up tons of white balloons to float on the ground to give the kids the illusion of snow. Also with a piece of blue material I was able to make it look like a lake in the middle of the concrete.

At the entrance of the driveway we made white snowflakes, taped them to dowel rods and placed them up to the entrance of our own little “Arendelle.” 

We also purchased  Snowflakes Dessert Plates, tablecloths and napkins  as well as this cute Olaf the Snowman Balloon  (that I accidentally over aired and popped so that’s why he is on the wall!) Apparently you can’t get this Olaf balloon hardly anywhere so I highly suggest ordering it early!  

The Fun 

For the feature part of our entertainment, we invited to Kona Ice to the party for a little snowcone fun for 30 minutes. The colorful van pulled up with a friendly driver and music, handed out shaved ice and then each of the kids could make their own flavor. The driver also let my kiddo jump in the truck to check things out and take a photo! It was super easy to book by just connecting on their website. 
 
 
We also created stations for the kids to have fun before and after the snowcones.
 
Let it Snow:
 
Through lots of research, we found a great product called Insta-Snow that when added to water made eight gallons of snow. When the kids found out how much it felt like snow, they went crazy – including making snow angels. (The only warning I have to add is when too much water gets added, it gets very slick and messy, but they LOVED IT!)  
 
Frozen-Birthday-Snow

Do You Want to Build a Snowman? Activity Table:
Using the fantastic download from HappyMoneySaver.com, I was able to print out these wonderful labels and bundle up our own activity packages.

Frozen-Party-Favors
 
Find Your Ice Treasure:
 
Probably one of the easiest activities ever, I purchased these inexpensive Frozen Cupcake Rings and froze them in a round ice tray like this. During the party we placed them in the bowl and the kids were able to pick one, melt it in their hands and then get a ring! (Of course, there was lots of trading, so it was lots of fun!)
 
Frozen-Ice-Rings

The Food

Cupcakes:
 
To make things easier for distribution, I always like using cupcakes! Since I didn’t want to use a premade cake at the store, I asked my neighborhood Tom Thumb to recreate and they did!
 
Frozen-Cupcakes
 
Other Snacks:
 
For other fare at the party, I decided to go light since it was a morning event and we already had snowcones for the entertainment. We made “ice” with sugar, used powered donut holes to be our “snowballs,” and these cute string cheese snowmen.
 
 
 
 
And for drink refreshments?
 
Sparkling Ice for the adults & Bottled water with “melted snow” labels laced with a little bit of spray snow for effect.
 
And let’s not forget the Wet Ones that were used to clean up all the mess from marshmallows, cupcakes, snowcones and of course, the snow!
 
Elsa-Frozen-Birthday-Party

Don’t miss these #MamaChallenge Birthday Moments 

Best-Mickey-Mouse-Birthday
 
Disney Brunch Party
 
SleepingBeautySpaParty#DisneyBeauties#Cbias#shop
 
Birthday Party Toolkit
 

Easy Ways to Cool Down with Sweet Frozen Treats

By Leave a Comment

Thanks for following MamaChallenge.com! 

 Today on WFAA Good Morning Texas I’ve put together some simple treats that taste delicious and can cool you down in the heat of the summer! Scroll down to see the video and the cutest sous chef in the world!

Make even water a fun treat with rainbow ice cubes and fruit!
RAINBOW ICE CUBES
Ice Cube Tray
Water
Food coloring
Fill ice trays with a few drops of food coloring. Freeze until ice (overnight). Put in a glass and allow to melt for the colors to make a rainbow.
NUTELLA COOL WHIP ICE CREAM POPSICLES
From 52 Kitchen Adventures blog
1 c. Cool Whip
½ c. milk
3 Tbsp. Nutella
Blend and freeze in popsicle molds.
Bananas can be the base and you can add what you want for instant ice cream.

 

(BANANA) MINT CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM
Ripe frozen bananas
3-4 drops of mint oil, flavoring
½ cup of chocolate chips
Blend bananas until smooth. Then add oil and chocolate chips and blend just until smooth.
This is such a simple snack, but guests of the Joule drool over this grape snack.

 

FROZEN GRAPES

2 c Red Grapes, rinsed and stemmed (or a mix of any variety of grapes)
¼ c sugar
Place grapes in a gallon-size plastic resealable bag with sugar.
Seal and shake bag to coat grapes.
Empty grapes onto a paper towel to air-dry.
Place grapes on a baking pan and allow to freeze for 2-3 hours. Serve.
YOGURT SORBET  
1 cup of frozen berries
1 cup of Greek yogurt
2 tbsp honey
Blend until smooth and serve. 

Celebrate Summer Some Way with Ice Cream Sodas!

By Leave a Comment

Today was the FIRST DAY of SUMMER. Can you believe it? And best of all, did you know today was also Ice Cream Soda Day? And there’s nothing more summer than the thought of popsicles, ice cream and even better, an ice cream soda to begin the summer the right way.

Since I’m a huge fan of anything with a little fizz and bubbles – like ginger ale, San Pellegrigio and champagne, it’s no doubt that when I ran across zero calorie Sparkling Ice, I was more than just a little excited. It was like my need to drink more water, not gain weight and not taste like artificial sweeteners all came together into one. Remember back in the day when they had Clearly Canadian? It reminds me of those good ole days (minus the glass bottle I’m thankful it’s not made of since I have two children!)
 
Anyhow, when my kiddo found my inventory of “mom’s drinks,” he certainly asked to taste one, especially since they come in bright colors that match their flavors. (Sparkling Ice’s collection includes delicious flavors including Coconut Pineapple, Lemon Lime, Kiwi Strawberry, Lemonade, Orange Mango, Pomegranate Berry, Pink Grapefruit, and Black Raspberry.) We’ll once he tasted them, he was on board the Sparkling Ice train, so we started to experiment.
 
For my four-year old, he helped to pour the Sparkling Ice to make popsicles. Mom made a margarita with the strawberry kiwi flavor. For the family, we decided to make Ice Cream Sodas with the remaining Sparkling Ice. You can try the recipe below for the Ice Cream Soda or there are several Sparking Ice recipes for cocktails online.
 
 
Sparkling ICE Cream Soda Recipe
 
Ingredients
·         Any flavor of Sparkling ICE
·         1/4 cup milk
·         1 cup vanilla ice cream (or 1 large scoop)
·         Can whipped cream (optional)
 
Directions
·         Pour the milk into one tall 16-ounce glass.
·         Add in ice cream and enough Sparkling Ice to fill almost to top of glass.
·         Top with whipped cream if desired.
·         Serve with a long spoon and a big straw.
What a great way to kick-off a great summer and to do it together as a family. 


***Disclaimer: I was provided Sparkling Ice for purposes of this review, but the opinions expressed here are all my own.

Pin This!

Visit Mama Challenge's profile on Pinterest.

Follow Along!