vitamix ice cream

Sparkling Ice: Meshelle Armstrong provided another spectacular idea: "Fill an ice cube tray with a red or blue fruit-flavored beverage, such as cranberry-blueberry juice, and freeze solid. The idea is to use different colored juices. Drop three or four cubes into a glass, add sparkling water, and watch the special effects. As the cubes melt, colored bubbles will swirl through the seltzer."

Freeze Whiz: We are big ice cream fans, so when Hirsch suggested healthy, food-processor "ice cream" for breakfast, which he makes with his 5-year-old son, I was totally intrigued. "Combine a 12-ounce bag of frozen fruit (mango, cherries, peaches, pineapple and blueberries are all delicious), a splash of juice (we often use orange juice, but apple, grapefruit, lemon or even water work in a pinch), a fresh — not frozen — banana and a pinch of salt. Process until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Eat immediately. It's cool, smooth and creamy." And the kids get to whiz the food processor.

Over the past summers I've learned one thing we will do "again": Get the kids in the kitchen. By the time they are done, you have a creative, usually edible treat and a messy kitchen. More importantly, you have entertained, happy children.