Today's Kool Idea: Zeroll Original Ice Cream Scoop

Here at The Daily Kool, our arms are getting quite the workout this summer...well, at least one arm, anyway. Our kids have been having one playdate after another at the house, and we've been doling out ice cream scoops practically by the dozen each day. Dig, twirl, release...dig, twirl release. Such is our life. It's amazing how one single perfect scoop of ice cream just seems to brighten a child's day...wait a minute, did we say perfect? A lofty, yet often elusive goal, we know. But apparently (and we've just recently learned this, mind you), a dish or cone of ice cream just tastes better to a kid if it has that professional, ice cream parlor look. Go figure, but kudos are important in the world of parenthood...we'll take what we can get. Pretty shallow of us, isn't it?

Good thing we have our Zeroll original ice cream scoop. We know, we know...an ice cream scoop is really not something most people think twice about when getting. Ours was a bridal shower gift ten years ago (yikes, has it been that long?). We do admit though, our Zeroll original ice cream scoop has gotten plenty of use over the years and is arguably still the best on the market. The Daily Kool has certainly never considered or needed a replacement. The secret is a heat-conductive, anti-freeze solution encased within an aluminum alloy. The fluid in the handle responds to the warmth of the hand, helping the bowl roll and release even the hardest ice cream instantly.

The Zeroll original ice cream scoop is actually pretty comfortable to use, regardless of whether you're right or left-handed (we have both in our family). Plus, it is apparently a top choice of ice cream parlors. However, this professional-grade ice cream scoop does come with a couple of note-worthy considerations. It is absolutely, positively, without a doubt not dishwasher safe...keep temptation away, folks! Trust us, we are as lazy as the next person, but even we take the time to hand-wash this one. One cycle in the dishwasher can render the anti-freeze fluid useless, so don't take the chance. Plus, even the best ice cream scoop in the world may need a little help every once in a while. If your ice cream has formed into a solid block in the freezer, try pre-warming the handle in lukewarm water for a few seconds, then dry quickly with a soft cloth before scooping. Allowing the ice cream to temper a bit results in a faster and effortless scoop and release.

The Zeroll original ice cream scoop is so innovative that it's apparently been displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Art? Well, our ice cream scoops do come out beautiful enough for the kids to make great funny faces out of mini M&Ms, marshmallows and licorice...does that count? Perhaps it's a little pricey (around $15), but the Zeroll original ice cream scoop is definitely worth it. With the proper care, this product just might make it through another decade of marriage. How "kool" is that?

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Today's Kool Idea: Chef's Choice 838 Waffle Cone Express Ice Cream Cone Maker

Nothing says summer quite like an ice cream cone. Some of our best childhood memories include strolling down the boardwalk by the beach with our parents, eating ice cream cones while watching the ocean waves crash against the shore. We could never quite understand how anyone could dishonor the sanctity of ice cream by eating it out of a cup. Good thing we've never quite grown up...as adults, we still love our ice cream cones, even when the sticky mess drips down the side of our arms. Waffle cones help us stay a bit cleaner...not that we care much. We just love them because they are so darned yummy!

At The Daily Kool, we have a bit of a dilemma when it comes to addictions like these. Our taste buds require easy and immediate access for those occasional (okay, frequent) cravings, but our inherent laziness prevent us from taking more trips to the ice cream parlor to satisfy them. Plus, the cost definitely adds up! Sure, ice cream cones are available at our local supermarket, but have you ever read the ingredients in those things? Too many unpronounceable words for us...blech.

Take a look at the Chef's Choice Waffle Cone Express ice cream cone maker. Seriously, folks...nothing beats the incredible aroma and freshness of a home-baked waffle cone. This ice cream cone maker features an advanced professional baking system that delivers homemade, freshly baked sugar cones in about two minutes. Yes, you heard us right...two minutes. Who could resist that temptation? Like your ice cream cone crispier than the average aficionado? No problem...a color-control dial makes that personal browning preference easy to select. An instant temperature recovery feature allows for continuous baking..cone after cone. The unique locking latch function with easy-clean overflow channel ensures each ice cream cone will be uniform in thickness for perfect results each and every time. Plus, the built-in cord storage compartment makes it convenient to keep the Chef's Choice Waffle Cone Express ice cream cone maker in a space saving, upright position.

A plastic cone-rolling form is included with the Chef's Choice Waffle Cone Express ice cream cone maker. Illustrated instructions and detailed recipes make it easy to become a master ice cream cone maker in no time. We love how the recipes use everyday ingredients we typically keep stocked in our pantry, and our creative juices are already flowing with several possible variations. Chocolate dipped sprinkle cones, waffle cups, cookies and even cannolis...our waistlines are expanding as we speak! Just be careful when rolling the ice cream cone...it has to be done when it's hot or it won't form properly. Also, make sure to pinch the end properly to prevent ice cream from leaking out...pouring some melted chocolate in the bottom of the cone is an easy (and tasty) solution. Though it has a non-stick coating, we recommend spraying or brushing the Chef's Choice Waffle Cone Express with a little oil before use to make it that much easier.

The Chef's Choice Waffle Cone Express ice cream cone maker is a great way to enjoy the crunchy sweetness of this sugary treat, straight from the kitchen. It's available all over, but we found the best deal at Bed Bath and Beyond with our 20% coupon...just go to the store to save on shipping, or type in your coupon code online. For about the price of a couple of trips to the ice cream parlor, you can produce delectable, edible delights that are sure to impress each and every time. Friends and family will be amazed at your culinary genius, never guessing how "kool" and easy it is...that's okay, we won't tell if you don't.

Basic Gourmet Waffle Cone

Ingredients:

• 1 whole egg
• 1 egg white
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup sifted all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp. butter, melted and cooled slightly

Directions:

1. Preheat the Chef's Choice Waffle Cone Express. Start with Color Control setting of 2 1/2 to 3, but change as necessary for best results.
   
   
2. Beat the egg, egg white and salt in a small bowl with a fork or hand-held mixer until well blended. Beat in the sugar and beat until sugar is incorporated and the egg has lightened in color slightly, about 1 minute. Add flour and beat another 15 seconds or until incorporated and all lumps are gone. Add the melted butter and stir until well blended.
   
   
3. Spoon 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) of batter in the center of the iron. Bake for 1 minute then check for proper color. Cook an additional 5 to 10 seconds if necessary.
   
   
4. Quickly remove the waffle from the WaffleCone Express™ onto a clean cloth towel. If the waffle is too hot to handle with your bare hands, use the cloth to help lift and roll the waffle around the cone form. Hold the cone a few seconds to set its shape then place on a wire rack to cool.
   

Makes about 8 ice cream cones.

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Today's Kool Idea: Cuisinart ICE-40 Flavor Duo Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Sorbet Maker

The Daily Kool family has always toyed with the idea of getting an ice cream maker for our home. As parents, we are often concerned about controlling the quality of ingredients in the food our children eat. Store-bought ice cream often has additives, so we often prefer the premium brands...hey, if we can't pronounce it, we certainly don't want to eat it. But, wow. Premium ice cream definitely comes at a premium price. An ice cream maker may seem like a perfect solution, but since no one in our household can ever agree on one flavor (heaven forbid), we always figured it would be a wasted investment...until now.

Check out the Cuisinart ICE-40 Flavor Duo Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Sorbet Maker...yep, it can make two different batches of ice cream at the same time. How "kool" is that? This sleek machine is fully automatic and can produce one or two quarts of frozen dessert in about 20 minutes. Cuisinart boasts the smoothest and creamiest ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet with this attractive appliance...all at the touch of a button. Made of heavy grade plastic (available in black or white) and brushed stainless steel, this just might be the ice cream maker we've been looking for. A control switch is easily set to activate both bowls or just one. We love having the option of simultaneously producing either one or two quarts of one flavor, or one quart each of two different flavors. Plus, the machine is easy to clean...a definite requirement in our family.

Making ice cream in the Cuisinart ICE-40 Flavor Duo Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Sorbet Maker seems like a breeze. Simply stick the double-insulated bowls in the freezer for 6-12 hours, then place them in the base. This is a critical step, since well-chilled canisters and cold ingredients are the key to success with this and any other ice cream maker. Insert the plastic paddles into the machine and place the cover units on. Select the one or two side option, turn on the motor and pour the mix into the unit through the easy pour spout. The plastic covers make it easy to see how the base is coming along. Voila...in about 20-30 minutes, it's time for dessert!

There are definitely a few things to keep in mind when deciding to purchase the Cuisinart ICE-40 Flavor Duo Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Sorbet Maker. Although it looks pretty sharp with its long, low profile, the dimensions of this machine make it just too large to sit out unless it's being used daily...though that is a possibility with the ice cream fanatics in The Daily Kool household. But most of us should plan on having a place to store it when not in use. Also, we understand that the machine is pretty loud when operating...just something to keep in mind with guests and children who are sensitive to noise. If there's space, it might be easier to just keep the bowls in the freezer all the time for an impromptu craving. Just make sure to keep the bowls in a plastic bag to avoid freezer burn when removing.

We love stuff in our ice cream..nuts, cookie bits, candy, fruit, pickles (just kidding). The Cuisinart ICE-40 Flavor Duo Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Sorbet Maker says to add any special ingredients in the last five minutes for best results and a truly individual concoction. Only one problem...if the pieces are any larger than a chocolate chip-sized small dice, they can jam up the mixer. This may be fine for the kids, but we adults like chunks in our ice cream...big, big chunks. For us, it'll just be easier to incorporate our mix-ins with a rubber spatula after the ice cream is made. We also prefer a firmer texture with our ice cream, so we will likely transfer the desserts to our beloved Lock and Lock storage containers and place them in the freezer for a couple of hours before enjoying. However, frozen yogurt should be eaten immediately or it might become a bit too hard and lose the smoothness commonly associated with it. The machine does come with a recipe book for ice cream, sorbets, sherbets, frozen yogurts and mixed frozen drinks (with or without alcohol), and there are countless lower-calorie recipes online for the more diet-discerning palette.

For anyone interested in experimenting with different flavors, making sorbet and ice cream at the same time, or simply satisfying everyone in the family with individual tastes, the Cuisinart ICE-40 Flavor Duo Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Sorbet Maker definitely seems like the way to go. What a pleasure it would be to know exactly what goes into our frozen desserts, eliminate processed ingredients and control the sugar content. Here's an easy recipe for vanilla ice cream that is perfect for kids and those of us who are kids at heart. Enjoy!

Quick and Easy Vanilla Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 1/2 pint light cream
• small can of condensed milk
• 1-2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (according to taste)

Directions: Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix until smooth. Chill in the refrigerator, then transfer to Cuisinart ICE-40 Flavor Duo Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Sorbet Maker. Freeze according to manufacturer instructions.

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Today's Kool Idea: Purina Frosty Paws Frozen Ice Cream Treats for Dogs

Yesterday, we returned from our gluttonous trip to our local Carvel ice cream shop on a euphoric sugar high. Oh yeah...The Daily Kool family has officially kicked off our celebration of National Ice Cream Month! Needless to say, we were in a fabulous mood when we walked through our front door. Of course, so was our lovable dog, Pepper...we may have mentioned him a few hundred times or so in our previous blog posts. Well, Pepper (as usual) was beside himself with joy when we came home, wagging his tail a mile a minute to show how excited he was to see us. We're telling you, there's not much that beats the feeling of unconditional love from a furry friend.

Wait a minute...did we say unconditional? Because when Pepper got closer to lick our faces (hey, he's a French poodle, after all), he literally took a giant sniff of our ice cream breath and reeled back from each of us in indignant shock. Okay, we realize we're attributing human characteristics to our dog (doesn't everybody?). But seriously, you should have seen the accusatory look on his face before he pointedly turned his doggie butt on us and walked away to pout on his bed. Yep, Pepper's big brown eyes can really bring on the guilt. No doubt about it, our dog wanted to be a part of July's National Ice Cream Month holiday.

It's a good thing we keep a box of Purina Frosty Paws frozen ice cream treats for dogs in the house for emergencies like this. Opening the freezer to take out one of these delicious and refreshing treats was just the ticket. Keep in mind that we say delicious from a dog's perspective, of course...though we were curious how doggie ice cream would taste, it just took one look at the first couple of ingredients to immediately curb our temptation. Dried whey and animal fat? Yuck!

Pepper sure does love his Purina Frosty Paws, though. Each box is available in two flavors (original and peanut butter), and comes with four individually packaged treats. They kind of look like the ice cream cups with the wooden spoons we used to get at camp when we were kids. We simply peel off the top of the frozen ice cream cup, and watch as our pampered pooch attacks it voraciously. And, because they're fortified with protein vitamins and minerals without the added sugar artificial flavors or colors, we can feel really good about giving them to him. Be forewarned, though. You might want to give your dog his Purina Frosty Paws frozen ice cream treats outside...they can get kind of messy. Then again, perhaps Pepper is a sloppier eater than most...his fancy poodle haircut is kind of deceiving.

If you're looking for a more natural and homemade frozen concoction that your dog will love, check out the recipe below, made with all natural plain yogurt. FYI, true dairy products are not really good for dogs, but yogurt contains much less lactose than regular milk. Plus, many veterinarians recommend yogurt to help maintain a healthy digestive tract in dogs, particularly if they are prone to yeast infections. You might want to get the okay from your own vet first, though. Thank goodness Pepper doesn't have these problems...we just give him the occasional treat because he loves it!

If we feel that ice cream is one of the true pleasures designed to help beat the insufferable heat and humidity of the summer, it's safe to assume that it would be the same for our four legged friends. Purina Frosty Paws frozen ice cream treats for dogs are a convenient and healthy way to share the joy of ice cream with your beloved pet. The best part? Many of the local supermarkets carry them in the freezer section. Definitely a "kool" idea.

Homemade Frozen Ice Cream Treats for Dogs

Ingredients:

• 32 oz. plain yogurt...we use Stoneyfield or Dannon (not fat-free)
• 1 banana, mashed
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons honey
  
• 2-3 handfuls of blueberries, optional

Directions: Mix all of the ingredients together in a blender and pour into ice cream trays or cups. Freeze for at least 3 hours.

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Today's Kool Idea: SKLZ Sport-Brella Portable Sun and Weather Umbrella Shelter

The Daily Kool had a great Fourth of July holiday this past weekend. We went to our parents, had an amazing barbecue lunch (courtesy of Dad and Weber's Way to Grill), enjoyed Mom's famous pasta salad and spent the early afternoon playing games with the kids. Ah, family togetherness...you gotta love it. Okay, who are we kidding? Fourth of July is all about the fireworks. Our city park has a spectacular concert and fireworks event every year, and the kids spend all afternoon, anxiously waiting for it to be time to go to the show. Unfortunately, the sun is still brutally strong when the show begins, and by the time it gets dark, the evening rains inevitably come out to put a damper (couldn't resist the pun) on our fireworks fun. Sure, we have a beach umbrella that we use to ward off the elements, but it's cumbersome and doesn't provide nearly enough coverage for our family of four.

We recently came across the SKLZ Sport-Brella portable sun and weather umbrella shelter during our online research for a better solution to our problem. Okay, we really have to get a hold of one of these! The SKLZ Sport-Brella is a unique combination of a beach umbrella and sun tent that offers instant portable protection from the sun, rain and wind. The YouTube demo shows how this super-size umbrella opens in just seconds...folks, if you can open an umbrella, you can open the SKLZ Sport-Brella. Press the red button to open, stake the main pole into the ground and stake the two side flaps (stowed with a hook) for a completely angled shell and dome-effect shelter. We love the great air flow ventilation that the SKLZ Sport-Brella boasts...simply unzip the side flaps to display the meshed window. Plus, there is extra ventilation on the top for extra stability, preventing lift off the ground with any incoming breeze. The best part? This smart, heavy-duty polyester shelter is lined with a metallic undercoating, providing seven-feet of UPF 50+...the ultimate in sun protection.

The SKLZ Sport-Brella portable sun and weather umbrella shelter certainly seems like an ideal solution for any family who spends time outdoors. Perfect on the sidelines at sporting events, picnics or by the shore, this "kool" idea goes way beyond a traditional beach umbrella...though it certainly can be used as one of those. It's light, easy to set up and is large enough to provide maximum shade from harmful UVA & UVB rays for up to four children or two adults. And yes, it would have been perfect at the park for our Fourth of July fireworks show...who knew? We can't wait to get the SKLZ Sport-Brella home...then, we're headed straight for the beach!

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Today's Kool Idea: Summer Reading Programs at Your Local Library

The summer has been a unique challenge to finding ways to entertain the kids, especially since they are not participating in camp this year. Yes folks, The Daily Kool is doing their own family camp this time around...you'd be amazed at how many things you can do with your kids this summer without breaking the bank. From free/$1 movies (check out Regal and AMC) to bowling (www.kidsbowlfree.com), parks to pools, there really are plenty of things to do on a budget. Summertime will be over before we know it though, and our children are already experiencing the "summer slide" syndrome...when school starts up again, many kids will be backpedaling to recapture the 3 months of learning that they have lost from the previous year. How do we encourage our children to keep their minds active during the summer?

Believe it or not, the best answer is at your local library...it is absolutely the best bargain in town! We were astounded at how many terrific programs the library offers over the summer to help motivate kids to keep up with their reading. This is not just bluster either...there have been many studies proving that children who participate in summer reading activities have a significant advantage when school starts again in the fall. Most libraries have state-sponsored summer events which include storytelling, music, creative arts and other performances. We have attended some terrific puppet shows and our oldest son even learned a few tricks from a yo-yo profession who performed last week. How "kool" is that?

You should have seen our four year old at the library last week. He now has his very own library card (just like big brother), personally and painstakingly signed by him...he's so proud! Grandma Marie, one of the senior citizen volunteers, gave both kids their own reading journals...every time they read a book, they just write down the title and color in one of the spaces. When the journal is filled, they get a prize...so simple, yet so exciting for them. There are also fabulous summer programs for teens and adults...the library truly has something for everyone.

The long, hot days of summer provide lots of time to read. Summer reading programs at your local library are a great way to help foster your children's love of books. They also create a wonderful opportunity to bond with your kids...no matter how adept they become at independent reading, our children still love being read to as well. Take the time to see what your local library is offering this summer...it might just surprise you. Relaxing and reading with our children has definitely become The Daily Kool's favorite summertime activity.

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