Snow Ice Cream - Dairy free!

I’m not sure if it’s snowing where you are but I think like half of the US has snow or is getting ready to. We have about 6 inches where we are. We got to go out and play for a little bit (before the wind got bitter cold!) and we had a blast. Of course, my son wanted to come in and make snow ice cream. Just because we can’t have dairy anymore, doesn’t mean we can’t have snow ice cream! This is so fun for kids to make and of course help gather snow. Enjoy this little extra post for today and stay warm!!

3 cups of fresh, CLEAN snow (I would probably have an adult gather the clean snow; kids tend to have dirty hands!)

¾ cup almond milk

½ cup coconut milk (canned preferably)

1 tsp vanilla

¼ cup stevia or sugar

• In a large bowl, combine ingredients and blend until well combined. It’s that easy!!! 

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

I know it’s fall and everyone is giving out recipes for pies, cakes, warm dishes, etc. Just because it is getting cooler outside doesn’t mean you can’t have a cool refreshing dessert sometimes to. Plus, my son’s go to dessert is either popsicles or ice cream – no matter what time of year it is. Anyway, I caved into his constant begging for ice cream but gave it a fall twist. I also added a little cheat by topping his with caramel sauce – of course that was the best part to him! To make this I used my YoNanas maker – it is awesome! It takes frozen bananas or other fruits and turns them into something wonderful! You could also make this using a high powered blender. Either way, grab a few extra ripe bananas at the grocery store and freeze them for future ice cream nights. This makes one serving

1 frozen banana, broke in half

¼ cup pumpkin puree
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp coconut sugar
1 Tbsp whipped cream, optional
1 tsp caramel syrup, optional

• If using a blender, combine banana, pumpkin, cinnamon and sugar and blend well for about a minute or until smooth.
• If using a YoNanas maker, take one half of the banana and put it in the maker. Start blending and add in pumpkin, cinnamon and sugar. Add second half of banana to maker and finish blending. Top bananas with whipped cream and caramel syrup if desired.
• What I like best about using bananas to make “ice cream” is that it tastes so great and creamy that it feels like you are eating something not so great for you. The best part is you are not – simply natural fruits!

Banana-Peanut Butter Milk Shake

We are always looking for some good deals. We even have my mom being more frugal. She found some almond milk on sale for $0.50 a carton. I will say that it was a deal. However it was set to expire the next day. I’ve heard freezing it is not a great idea but we tried it anyway. My husband also recently got me a “YoNanas” maker for Mother’s day. So I decided one evening to make a milk shake for our evening treat. It turned out great! Now I have a use for the several cartons of almond milk in my freezer!

1 half-gallon carton of unsweetened vanilla almond milk, frozen but slightly thawed

2 frozen bananas
½ cup peanut butter
chocolate syrup, if desired
whipped topping, if desired
cherries, if desired

• In a blender, combine almond milk, bananas and peanut butter. Blend until smooth, it will probably take several minutes.
• Pour into a glass and put a little whipped topping, chocolate syrup and a cherry on top. Throw in a straw and enjoy!
• Note: If you have a “YoNanas” maker, you can blend your bananas and then add to the blender.