Fun dessert alert! Did you know you can whip up your batch of ice cream right at home without any extra appliances? All you need are the right ingredients and plastic bags. Read on for the “scoop” on how to make homemade ice cream in a bag.
Ingredients for Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag:
1 tbsp. sugar
1/2 cup milk (will make about one scoop of ice cream, can sub soy, coconut, or rice milk or use cream)
1/4 tsp. vanilla
6 tbsp. rock salt
1 pint-size plastic food storage bag (e.g., Ziploc)
1 gallon-size plastic food storage bag
Ice cubes
How to Make Ice Cream at Home:
1. Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add the rock salt.
2. Seal the bag.
3. Put milk, vanilla, and sugar into the small bag, and seal it.
4. Place the small bag inside the large one, and seal it again carefully.
5. Shake until the mixture is ice cream, which takes about 5 minutes.
6. Wipe off the top of the small bag, then open it carefully.
Insider Tips:
A 1/2 cup of milk will make about 1 scoop of ice cream, so double the recipe if you want more. But don’t increase the proportions more than that—a large amount might be too big for kids to pick up because the ice itself is heavy. This ice cream won’t have quite the same consistency as a pint of store-bought, but you can control the ingredients so that’s a big win.
If there is a milk allergy, try this with fruit juice. Use straight pineapple juice—it’s a terrific fruit sorbet. OR rice/soy milk as the milk substitute.
This recipe for how to make homemade ice cream in a bag is courtesy of Yuumii, an online community founded by a San Francisco family who wanted to come up with creative ways to spend more quality time with their kids.
As a mom of four, I find cooking to be such an amazing way to connect with my kids. And as they get older, I’ve realized that my little ones actually love to help me in the kitchen more and eventually the whole family ends up getting involved with the recipe! That’s why being in the kitchen together is such a fun way to bring families together—everyone can partake, get involved and reap the tasty benefits.
So grab your aprons, roll up your sleeves and get ready to try some of these family-friendly foodie ideas that will cultivate those magical moments with your family in the kitchen!
1. Look through cookbooks together or at recipes online and have your kids help you choose what they want to eat for dinners.
This also encourages kids to find new meals to try. As a family, we aim to choose one or two new recipes to try a week. Not only does this allow them to sample new dishes and cuisines, but helps them feel like they have a say in the family’s “menu” for the week. This is also a pro tip for parents of picky eaters and a great way to introduce new foods in a dish they’re excited about.
2. Have your kids help you meal plan and make shopping lists.
I ask my kids to write their own, which is a writing assignment in itself. Let your kids accompany you to the grocery store to look for any unfamiliar ingredients. If they are part of the process from start to finish, they’ll be much more inclined to try new foods.
3. Designate a day and let your kids help make something homemade that they can snack on all week after school.
I’ve found that if they help you cook or bake something, they are much more willing to eat their creations! These Apple Cinnamon Granola bars made with Juicy Juice are a recent favorite. The kids help me wrap them individually to have on-hand for lunchboxes and snacks.
4. Try a DIY dinner night.
Let each family member craft their own take on a meal. Some of our recent favorite meals have been taco bars, homemade pizza nights or even smoothie bowls for breakfast with toppings like granola and chocolate chips. Anything that you can ‘build or make your own’ so they can try new foods as toppings and, the best part, try everyone else’s!
5. My family loves a little friendly competition, so we like to turn mealtime and cooking into a game.
My 12 year-old really stepped up in the kitchen lately, so we did our own version of “Chopped” at home and got my husband and mother involved as judges. I need to step it up because his Soy Garlic Shrimp Sandwich with a Cilantro Radish Vinaigrette beat my Puff Pastry Lettuce cup with a Spicy Shrimp Slaw by one point! His love of food solidifies that all this time spent together as a family in the kitchen has spurred into something really special.
6. Try adding nutrient-dense sides, shakes, or formulas for days when all they’ll eat is mac-n-cheese.
Some days, it’s a real challenge to get kiddos to eat more than their favorite snacks. And that’s okay! Adding a formula like Kabrita’s Junior Nutrition Goat Milk Powder helps give you the peace of mind that they aren’t missing out on any vitamins or minerals. Goat Milk is especially easy to lean on since it’s nutrient-dense and has a mild taste for even the pickiest eaters!
And if (or when) there is a recipe or new food experiment that doesn’t turn out the way you expected? Don’t sweat it, just remember this: time in the kitchen is where memories are made. It’s where I remember spending my most precious moments with my mother and grandmother and currently…it’s where my family gathers, connects and decompresses. I know that my kids will always hold these experiences close in their hearts, no matter the outcome.
Mom and self-taught cook, Siri Daly is quickly leaving her mark on the entertainment-lifestyle landscape. She is the founder of Siriously Delicious, a popular food blog that chronicles real-life cooking and a former Food Contributor on the TODAY show where she still regularly appears as a guest chef for cooking segments.
Love is in the air! But don’t let those loved-ones with food allergies feel left out this Valentine’s Day—gift them a heart box filled with allergy-friendly chocolates that will have them saying they love you to the moon and back (and then some). Scroll below to find the Valentine’s Day heart box that is right for you and your family.
VERIFIED BRANDS
1. No Whey Chocolate
Product: Heart Chocolate Truffle Box
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 9
Contains: No Top 9
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut, Milk, Egg, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten, Sesame, Mustard Allergen Statement
2. Vermont Nut Free
Product: Heart Box of Truffles
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Tree Nut, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Sesame
Contains: Milk, Soy, Egg
Precautionary Label: Processed on shared EGG and WHEAT equipment.
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut, Fish, Shellfish. Sesame, Mustard, Legumes Allergen Statement
5. Sjaak’s
Product: Classic Heart Valentine Assortment
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Milk, Egg, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Sesame
Contains: Tree Nut
Precautionary Label: Ingredient suppliers may share equipment that result in trace amounts of dairy protein.
Facility Dedicated Free From: Milk, Egg Allergen Statement
6. L.A. Burdick’s Chocolates
Product: Signature Heart Assortment
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Wheat, Gluten
Contains: Tree Nut, Milk, Soy, Egg, Sesame
Precautionary Label: Our chocolates are crafted in a kitchen where dairy, soy, eggs, tree nuts, and alcohol are present.
Facility Dedicated Free From: Gluten
7. NeuHaus
Product: Valentine Small Heart Box
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Fish, Shellfish
Contains: Tree Nut, Milk, Soy, Egg, Wheat, Sesame
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Fish, Crustaceans Allergen Statement
14. Hotel Chocolat
Product: Straight from the Heart
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Egg, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Sesame, Gluten
Contains: Tree Nut, Milk, Soy
Precautionary Label: All chocolates in this box may contain tree nuts, peanuts, milk, soya, gluten, wheat, egg, sesame.
Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated Allergen Statement
Starting daycare is a daunting experience for any parent. When you add in the issue of food allergies the high anxiety experience can leave you worried for your child’s life. But for some of us, daycare is the only option we have. To get through it safely, here are a few tips for dealing with daycare and food allergies.
To deal with daycare and food allergies the best way to start is to take control of what you can. Get involved with food prep and give detailed instructions to those who you fear may not have food allergy training. Bring reminders and have paperwork for everyone involved, so you’re all literally on the same page.
Food Allergies in Daycares
Chances are your daycare will have at least one child that has food allergies already attending. Since 8% of children in the US have food allergies, about 1 in 13 children or 2 students per classroom are dealing with allergies.
Despite this growing number, you may find some schools are less prepared than others to deal with food allergies. Because food allergy education and training is different everywhere, you will have to be vocal about your safety concerns.
Get an idea of how prepared the school is during the first walkthrough or orientation. Explain how severe your child’s allergy is and ask if there are other children with food allergies.
Take a look at where the children eat and how food is handled. Be sure they understand that food allergy safety also means avoiding cross-contamination. Will children be eating allergenic foods and immediately playing with toys?
Ask every question you think of there’s no room for misunderstandings.
Food Allergies & How to Deal With Them in a Childcare Setting
To deal with food allergies in a childcare setting, all teachers and parents should be notified of a child with food allergies in a class. This means everyone knows, so no one from another class comes in and makes a mistake.
Parents share a lot of information from the start. To help with communication be ready with as much food allergy information as you can.
Having a doctor’s note always helps people understand the seriousness of the situation (if you’re dealing with a daycare that doesn’t understand, find another one).
Leave detailed instructions for the epi-pen.
Use food allergy cards and stickers as reminders.
Write out substitutes for allergies on the school’s menus so the daycare has options.
This is no time for your child to be called picky—allow your little one to voice their opinion. Let the school know you taught your toddler about food allergies and let them question if a food is safe.
In some cases, the school may not have access to simple substitutes like soy milk for dairy. So you’ll take on the role of providing school lunch earlier than expected.
Learn to Meal Prep
With the hefty price tag of daycare, bringing your own lunch can be a problem, but with a few meal prep ideas, you can keep the cost down. The benefit of making your own lunch is you know what your child is eating each day.
Create meals for the week and take them to the school on Monday. No need to lug milk every day if the school has a full kitchen. Drop off the soymilk on Monday and have the daycare inform you when it’s all out.
This gives the providers the chance to serve the toddlers lunch with the other children. Labeling and prepping is a lot of work, but for some doing it once a week versus every day may help.
Of course, this option will require a lot of communication. This plan depends on the daycare’s style and how comfortable you are with the ability to avoid cross-contamination.
Take Advantage of Bento Boxes
Make lunch with your toddler’s favorite foods in a bento box. Add crackers, lunch meat, fruit, veggies, and their favorite dip. A bento box doesn’t have to mean big expensive lunches your toddler doesn’t want. Keep it simple and change up the ingredients and it’ll always be fresh.
Sometimes it’s best to choose options that don’t have to be heated so handling is kept to a minimum. However, when you want add a sandwich or dinner the day before and use your regular fruits and veggies as sides.
Skip Breakfast (If You Can)
My boys are allergic to eggs. I’m lucky enough to work from home, so when eggs are for breakfast at daycare, I drop them off a little later. They skip breakfasts they can’t eat at school and have breakfast at home.
If that’s not an option pack up breakfast on the go and always remind the daycare they already ate or they have their own.
When it comes to lunch, give in to your child’s demands. No point in creating beautiful nutritious meals they don’t want. If they want seed butter and jelly three days in a row, don’t feel bad for giving it to them. You still have dinnertime at home to fill the gaps.
While these tips may not get rid of all your fear, being prepared can help put your mind at ease. Making notes on the weekly or monthly menu will keep everyone stay up to date at every meal. Using eye-catching stickers and food allergy cards on bookbags and cubbies is a fun way to use reminders.
When substitutes aren’t an option, bring your own lunch. Meal prepping with bento boxes and skipping breakfast at school can keep costs low. Choose your child’s favorites to ensure they eat every bite.
Starting daycare is hard, but you can get through it, even with food allergies. Once you witness the fun your child has making friends and bringing home artwork, you’ll see why it’s worth it
I'm Lydia, a mom of two boys with eczema and food allergies. After feeling lost, I created a blog to help with parenting a child with eczema. Writing about that journey led to my content creation and marketing business, where I am a small business freelance writer.
It’s no secret Trader Joe’s has a cult following. From heat and eat meals and fun florals, to unique products you can’t find anywhere else, it can be hard to know where to start as a TJ’s newbie.
Luckily, the grocer has revealed it’s 13th Annual Customer Choice Awards: the yearly rundown on fan faves that take the cake. Continuing in the pandemic tradition, many of the items are the same as last year, but that just goes to show you can always count on Trader’s for your go-to groceries. Keep reading to see who took home the prizes.
A winner for the last several years, this tasty frozen dish makes you a superstar at the stove. Kids and parents will love the saucy meal that pairs great with frozen rice that heats in three minutes.
Favorite Beverage: Non Dairy Oat Beverage
Honestly, we aren't sure how this product over-performed and beat out ginger beer and spiced apple cider, but now we've got to try it.
Valentine’s Day is almost here, and parents who have allergies in the home know that the balance between finding safe products and enjoying sweet treats is (almost) as challenging as getting the kids to stay in bed after the lights go off. It can be hard to track down candies and chocolates that fit into your family’s needs, so we compiled this list of allergy-friendly items to help you out. Keep scrolling to see the different, yummy options!
The final thing to top off your dessert shopping list is whipped cream! Here’s our allergy-friendly whipped cream guide, featuring 17 options to grab in the store.
2. Truwhip
Product: Truwhip Original Whipped Topping
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Tree Nut (except Coconut), Egg, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten
Contains: Coconut, Milk, Soy
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut Allergen Statement
NON-DEDICATED FACILITIES
3. 365 Organic
Product: Oat Based Whipped Topping
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8
Contains: No Top 8
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated
4. Food Heaven
Product: Heavenly Whipped
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8
Contains: No Top 8
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated
16. Cool Whip
Product: Cool Whip Original Topping
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanuts, Tree Nut (except coconut), Egg, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat
Contains: Milk, Coconut
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated Allergen Statement
17. So Delicious
Product: Coco Whip Coconut Whipped Topping
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanuts, Tree Nut (except Coconut), Milk, Egg, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten
Contains: Coconut
Precautionary Label: Produced in a facility that also processes other tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and soy. We have a rigorous allergen testing program and apply strict quality control measures in an effort to prevent contamination by undeclared food allergens.
Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated Allergen Statement
Nothing says holiday quite like eggnog! A creamy cup of those nutmeg and vanilla flavors make everything from decorating the Christmas tree to holiday parties more festive. Get in the holiday spirit with our guide of 20 allergy-friendly eggnogs, including options that are free of dairy, egg, nuts and even top 8 free options!
1. Straus Family Creamery
Product: Organic Egg Nog
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Tree Nut, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten
Contains: Milk, Egg
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree nut (except coconut oil), Corn Allergen Statement
2. Almond Breeze
Product: Almond Milk Nog
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Milk, Egg, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten
Contains: Tree Nut (Almond)
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut Allergen Statement
NON-DEDICATED FACILITIES
3. Good Karma
Product: Holiday Nog
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8
Contains: No Top 8
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated Allergen Statement
6. Chobani
Product: Oat Nog
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8
Contains: No Top 8
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated Allergen Statement
7. Trader Joes
Product: Oat Nog
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8
Contains: No Top 8
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated Allergen Statement
8. So Delicious
Product: Coconut Milk Holiday Nog
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Milk, Egg, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten
Contains: Tree nut (Coconut)
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated Allergen Statement
9. 365 by Whole Foods Market
Product: Holiday Almond Nog
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Milk, Egg, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten
Contains: Tree Nut (Almond)
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated
15. Nellie’s Free Range Eggs
Product: Eggnog
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Tree Nut, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten
Contains: Milk, Egg Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated Allergen Statement
16. Hood
Product: Golden Egg Nog
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Tree Nut, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten
Contains: Milk, Egg
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated Allergen Statement
17. Southern Comfort
Product: Traditional Egg Nog
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Tree Nut, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten
Contains: Milk, Egg
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated
18. Turkey Hill
Product: Eggnog
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Tree Nut, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten
Contains: Milk, Egg
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated Allergen Statement
19. Silk
Product: Nog
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Tree Nut, Milk, Egg, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten
Contains: Soy
Precautionary Label: Produced in a facility that processes tree nuts. Silk employs stringent allergen quality control procedures in all of our manufacturing facilities.
Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated Allergen Statement
20. Horizon Organic
Product: Lowfat Eggnog
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Tree Nut, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten
Contains: Milk, Egg
Precautionary Label: Produced in a facility that processes tree nuts and soy
Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated Allergen Statement
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Start the countdown to Christmas off right with our allergy-friendly Advent calendar guide! These Advent calendars are all made in dedicated facilities and packed with safe treats for your holiday traditions, whether you’re a fan of the classic chocolate calendar or you’re in search of something unique—we see you, dairy-free white chocolate!
9. Moo Free
Product: 2021 Advent Calendar
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8, Gluten
Contains: No Top 8
Precautionary Label: Made in a factory that handles Hazelnuts.
Facility Dedicated Free From: Milk, Soy, Gluten Allergen Statement
10. McCrea’s
Product: 2021 Advent Calendar
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Tree Nut, Egg, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten
Contains: Milk
Precautionary Label: Manufactured in a facility that also processes coconut and sesame.
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut (excluding coconut), Egg, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten Allergen Statement
11. Skip’s Candies
Product: Advent Calendar
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Tree Nut, Egg, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat
Contains: Milk, Soy
Precautionary Label: All Products share equipment with items containing Wheat
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut Allergen Statement
12. Lindt
Product: Snowman Advent Calendar
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Egg, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat
Contains: Coconut, Milk, Soy, Gluten (Barley)
Precautionary Label: May contain tree nuts.
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut Allergen Statement
Spokin is a modern platform and app connecting people managing food allergies to resources including food, restaurants, hotels and more. Users have personalized experiences based on allergies & location. With 55,000+ reviews across 79 countries, Spokin helps the allergy community share and connect. The Spokin iOS app is free on iTunes.
Our allergy-friendly Hanukkah gelt guide includes 8 different gelts—one for each night of Hanukkah! Whether they’re the prize for a dreidel victory or a present themselves, these chocolate coins are the sweetest Hanukkah tradition. Unwrap our guide of allergy-friendly chocolate gelts made in dedicated facilities, including four of them from Spokin “Verified Brands.”
Spokin is a modern platform and app connecting people managing food allergies to resources including food, restaurants, hotels and more. Users have personalized experiences based on allergies & location. With 55,000+ reviews across 79 countries, Spokin helps the allergy community share and connect. The Spokin iOS app is free on iTunes.