Making Memories

Homemade strawberry ice cream was an annual treat during my childhood

Via Examiner.com

Growing up I always looked forward to the month of June when my parents would take me and my five siblings to pick fresh strawberries. With such a large family it wasn't difficult to quickly pick quarts and quarts of fresh berries. Once home, we were all charged with hulling and washing the berries. Of course we gobbled up a portion of them, but my mom would also freeze big batches for use throughout the year. My favorite use for the strawberries was the once-a-year homemade strawberry ice cream that my parents would make. Full of heavy cream, sugar and berries, that gallon of the icy goodness would be gone in no time. Eating that delicious ice cream once a year is one of my fondest childhood memories. Had my parents made homemade ice cream every couple of weeks, it wouldn't have been quite so special.

Much to the chagrin of my children, I don't regularly buy ice cream. We don't own an ice cream maker so my children have never experienced the taste of that particular strawberry treat. On special occasions I send my son to a family owned ice cream parlor, Charlie's, for a quart or two of their homemade ice cream. As they were growing up it was always our tradition to get ice cream on the way home from school on the first really warm day of spring. I love traditions and I'm a firm believer that treats are more special when they aren't available on a regular basis. I have no doubt that my children will remember those annual after school ice cream runs the way I remember my parents homemade ice cream. My son may remember that mint chocolate chip was his favorite in second grade. My daughter may recall the monumental choice of deciding between the pretty pink strawberry ice cream with chunks of berries or Charlie's famous Moose Tracks, loaded with hunks of Reese's peanut butter cups. But what I think they will remember most is the tradition.

You might be wondering why a fitness blogger is bestowing the virtues of a high calorie/high fat treat. My point in walking down memory lane is a simple one; it's okay to enjoy a treat every now and again. I'm fairly certain that most of us have some positive memories about particular foods. Maybe it's your grandmother's pecan pie at Thanksgiving or the special cookies that your family shared only during the holidays. What made those treats special was the tradition surrounding them. You looked forward to these items and they were enjoyed during happy times.

Cookies made with Mom once a month=Great childhood memories.

Unfortunately, in the average household, daily treats are commonplace. When consumed on a regular basis these sugar and fat-filled items no longer qualify as special. Not only are they not out of the ordinary, they are expected. When they aren't available, we crave them. Giving them up can be battle. There are properties associated with certain high fat/high calorie food that are considered addictive, making eliminating them from our diets a real struggle.

If you have found yourself at the grocery store tossing bag after bag of low quality chips, cookies, frozen treats, etc.. into your cart out of habit, maybe what you need is a new approach. Create some traditions for yourself or your family surrounding your favorite treats. For instance, if you love popcorn drenched in butter and salt, have some-but only if you are going to a movie of a particular genre or with a particular friend. If hot dogs with all the toppings are your treat of choice, don't give them up, just be sure you only partake when you are watching a live baseball game. You get the idea. Instead of associating treats with denial or guilt, associate them with special times, times that make you feel good. While only consumed on occasion, these splurges become special.

Everyone knows a hot dog tastes better at the ball park.

My friend Chris's may not realize that she is making memories for her daughter Lindsay, but the two of them have a ritual of making homemade ice cream together. When Chris shared this story with me and her recipe for 3 minute low-fat homemade ice cream, I knew I had to include it at the end of the post. It only takes 3 minutes because the two of them take turns tossing the bags containing the ingredients. When Chris told me about this, I could imagine her and her daughter having a great time and, more importantly, making memories. Chris is also teaching Lindsay that it's possible to make healthy versions of her favorite treats.

3 Minute Low-Fat Ice Cream

1 CUP SKIM MILK
1/2 CUP DICED STRAWBERRIES
6 PECAN HALVES - CHOPPED (OPTIONAL, ADDS ABOUT 60 CALORIES)
1/2 TEASPOON VANILLA
TWO PACKETS STEVIA OR ZERO CAL. SWEETENER

1 QUART ZIPPER BAG
1 GALLON ZIPPER BAG
1/4 CUP SALT
3 CUPS CRUSHED OR CUBED ICE

2 TBS HERSHEY'S SUGAR FREE CHOCOLATE SYRUP (15 CALORIES)

In a one quart bag, combine milk, strawberries, pecans, vanilla and strawberries. In a one gallon bag combine ice and salt. Remove air, zip quart bag and place inside gallon bag. Remove air from the gallon bag. Shake and flip large bag constantly for 3 minutes. Pour into bowl and drizzle chocolate syrup on top.


I hope I've inspired someone today to start their own tradition surrounding special treats for special occasions.