Did you know that TCBY is part of the Mrs. Fields family? It’s true!

Last week, we celebrated a grand re-opening of our Sugarhouse, Utah store complete with a swanky new look and a new way to experience our famous yogurt. Customers now enjoy self-serve yogurt and toppings, creating their own unique concoctions and paying by the ounce. It’s the perfect place to gather with friends and enjoy a healthy treat. If you loved TCBY before, you’re going to love it even more. Check out the new digs:

If you’re in the area, stop in and see us! I promise, you’ll love it!

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Let’s face it, cooking in the summer can be a bore and a chore. However,  it can also be a fun exercise for the whole family. These days, there is a lot of news about the obesity epidemic in our country, especially among our children. One of the best ways to combat the issue is by preparing and eating healthy meals at home.

Take advantage of summer’s relaxed schedule and bring the kids into the kitchen for some life(style) changing fun! When they realize how easy it is to create a fresh, healthy meal, they’ll wave goodbye to drive-thru cravings. Plus, it will be a fun change for you and a great way to recruit some all-year kitchen help.

Here are 10 simple ways to get the kids in the kitchen:

1. Involve them in planning. Ask the kids to help you create the week’s menu, but be willing to go along with their requests, especially in the beginning. If they choose chicken nuggets and pizza every day, so be it. Meet them where they are at. They will love the chance to make the decisions and you can almost always find healthy recipes for all of their favorites. Once you’ve established a routine and sustained excitement on their part, you can introduce new foods and more variety.

2. Go surfing. The Internet is the world’s biggest recipe box. Pull up a few chairs to the computer desk and search together for fun new recipes or healthy alternatives to their not-so-healthy favorites.

3. Take them to the store. Prepare your shopping list and load up the kids. Let them be involved in selecting the ingredients from the store shelves and farmers markets. Take the opportunity to teach them how to select ripe produce, and comparison shop for the best prices. Let them cut coupons and participate in the checkout process as well.

4. Manage, don’t micro-manage. Look for simple steps and tasks that you can delegate to the kids without much looking over their shoulders. They will enjoy the sense of independence, and if it freaks you out to let them choose mismatched dinner plates or peel a carrot imperfectly, well, then this exercise will be good for you too!

5. Recipe 101. Help the kids read and understand a recipe. Teach them that each recipe is kind of like a science experiment–follow the instructions and BOOM! you’ve made something original. This is a life skill they’ll need, so don’t wait until the summer before they leave for college. Take the time now.

6. Get creative. One of the most important kitchen skills you can teach your kids is creativity and adaptation. Once you’ve mastered a recipe together, talk about new ways to prepare it. Show them how changing a few spices or ingredients will create a whole new recipe, one they invent themselves!

7. Host a dinner party. Instead of inviting your friends over for a dinner party, why not let the kids invite theirs? Work together to plan and prepare a menu they’ll be excited to share. Let them show off their mad kitchen skillz to their friends. Who knows, you may start a new trend!

8. Play Iron Chef. Make a family challenge, Iron Chef style. Divide into teams and reveal a secret ingredient that must be included in each recipe. One team makes dinner, one team makes dessert, and everybody wins.

9. Turn up the tunes. Every kitchen needs some good music. Plug in the iPod and let your kids play DJ during preparation and cleanup. The kitchen has always been your turf, so help them feel more at home with some of their familiar favorites playing in the background.

10. Oooh and ahhh! Nothing keeps a weary cook going like compliments and praise. Let them know how much you love the food and appreciate their help. They’ll be begging to help again, guaranteed!

What are your ideas for getting kids in the kitchen? Do share!

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The remedy for a hot summer day (or night) is cool, creamy ice cream. No need to wait around for the ice cream truck, this is a fun and delicious recipe to help you cool down a hot summer day. It’s part gourmet, homemade treat and part fun activity. Plus, it’s completely customizable for each person. And the best part? It’s ready in 10 minutes.

Wait. Homemade ice cream in 10 minutes? Are those angels singing?

Gather the kids and the ingredients and make some today.

Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag

Supplies
1 gallon-size plastic food storage bag
1 quart-size plastic food storage bag
Rock salt
Ice

Ingredients

1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup milk or half-and-half
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 heaping tablespoons sugar

Directions
Fill the gallon-size bag 3/4 full of ice cubes and sprinkle a handful (about 1/4 cup) rock salt over the ice. In the quart-size bag, add cream, half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla. Seal the bag, removing excess air, and place inside the larger bag and seal it as well. Shake the bags vigorously (probably outside) for 5-10 minutes, or until the ice cream in the inner bag gets thick and hard. Remove and dry the inner bag to keep the saltwater out of your ice cream. Discard the larger bag. Serve immediately in a bowl or right out of the bag.

For Chocolate Ice Cream: Add 2-3 tablespoons of chocolate syrup and reduce the vanilla to 1/4 teaspoon.

For Strawberry Ice Cream: Add 3-4 tablespoons sweetened, pureéd strawberries.

For Mint Ice Cream: Replace vanilla with 1/4 teaspoon mint extract and add 3 drops of green food coloring.

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Embossed Personal Tin

Wow! Big thanks to everyone who shared gifting tips last week! In fact, you had so many good ideas, I thought I’d share a few of my favorites.

Stephanie said:

My favorite gifting tip is to give gifts when they are least expected…on non-occasions and/or to celebrate small milestones.

For example, I love giving baked goods anytime EXCEPT November-January (because people get so many cookies and cakes in those months).

I also love giving small gifts throughout the year – just because. I know how exciting it is to get a special gift or card in the mail as a surprise so I love to create that feeling for others.

Carolyn said:

I make sure to have a present for each family member–if I order cookies for the family, I always have a batch of doggie treats for the family pet! If I buy a present for a friend, I always include a little something for their daughter or son…kids and animlas love to be remembered.

Amanda said:

I love to have homemade cookies or muffins for the host to have the next day, not to share at the party but just for her and her family after a successful party.

Great tips, everybody. We truly have the best readers around. The giveaway is now closed and the winner has been notified, but there’s always another fabulous giveaway around the corner. So stay tuned.

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I bet you didn’t know that Sunday, July 25 is Parents’ Day. Take a moment to celebrate family and thank your parents or parental figures with a sweet note or gift. It will be unexpected and oh so appreciated!

Thank You Big Cookie Cake

Shop our line of Thank You gifts and get free standard shipping off your order to anywhere in the continental United States. Use code 11ER at checkout. Offer ends July 21.

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For generations, kids have been turning to lemonade stands as a rescue from summer boredom and a way to earn a little spending cash. (And moms love lemonade stands because it means a few hours of peace and quiet in the house.)

You already know the basics. You’ve got your lemonade, cups, and hand-made posters ready to go, but here are a few more helpful tips to make your next lemonade stand outstanding!

• Cleanliness is key: A good soap-and-water scrub of hands and faces is top priority for the kids. Nobody wants smudgy finger prints on their cup!
• Location, location, location: Look for a spot near a semi-busy road, preferably near a stop sign, where the stand can be seen well in advance. This is good for safety reasons and also gives customers some time to check the change in their pockets. If the kids need adult supervision, bring a chair and a book to read, but keep a little distance to let them feel grownup.
• The price is right: Lemonade is inexpensive to make, so you don’t have to charge much to turn a profit. I recommend 25-50 cents per cup. Most people can scramble up that much change, plus it keeps the money part simple for the cashier. (Funny side note: I approached a lemonade stand recently and was shocked to see the kids were charging $1.50 per cup. Whoa! I didn’t have enough cash with me, so I avoided turning down the street!)
• Ice, ice, baby: Nobody wants a cup of warm lemonade, no matter how cute your kids are. Make your lemonade extra concentrated, then supplement it with lots of ice. The flavor will balance almost immediately, and your cold lemonade will keep your customers happy and refreshed.
• Change is good: Use a large jar to keep the money in. Empty the coins from your wallet into the jar to give the kids a head start on earnings and a way to make change for customers.
• Customer service: Let the lemonade stand be a chance to practice good manners and good business. Remind the kids to say thank you (by name when possible) and be accommodating if a customer doesn’t have exact or enough change.
• Keep it clean: Have a trash can or garbage bag nearby for used cups and napkins.
• Extra, extra: For older kids, think about offering some extras at the stand, such as homemade cookies or sweetened berries to add into the lemonade for an extra charge, of course.
• Give back: Before they begin, talk to the kids about donating some of their earnings to a good cause, such as Alex’s Lemonade Stand, an organization that raises money for childhood cancer research. It can add a level of excitement and meaning to the afternoon. You can learn more about donating here. (And remember, if you decide to donate some proceeds, be sure to include that on your posters to inspire generous tips!)
• This calls for an encore: After a successful afternoon, do yourself a favor by cleaning your equipment and then keeping it stored together for another hot afternoon.

Any other lemonade stand tips to share? Leave it in a comment!

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If there’s anything I’ve learned from this blog, it’s that our readers are smart, savvy and full of great ideas. I’ve shared some gifting tips with you (find them all here), but now I want to hear from you! What gifting tips do you have to share?  What are your tips, tricks, and secrets that make your gifts and parties extra special?

Leave your ideas in a comment and be entered to win our Top Notch Thank You Box. You know, as our way of saying thanks! Plus, earn extra entries by spreading the news on facebook, Twitter, or your own blog. (Leave a comment for each thing you do.) Let the ideas flow!

Top Notch Thank You Box

Comments will be accepted until midnight, Sunday July 18th. One entry per person. Winner will be selected randomly and contacted via email.

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Hot off the presses and fresh to your mailbox, the 2010 Occasions Catalog has arrived! This is your all-year, go-to, keep-in-your-nightstand guide to giving. It’s filled with gift ideas for all of those year round gifting occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, thank yous, thinking of yous, and sympathy gifts. Plus, it’s chock full of great gifting tips!

Here are a few of my favorite selections from this year’s book:

The Bite-Sized Bubbly Box is a fabulous, versatile gift. It can toast an anniversary, a job promotion, or any other celebration. I think it’s perfect at a wedding as a non-alcoholic option for the wedding toasts!

Bite-Sized Bubbly Box

The Top Notch Thank You Box is another favorite. This preppy design is so smart and sassy, it’s bound to become your favorite way to show some gratitude.

Top Notch Thank You Box

Our Logo Perfect Cookies are getting a lot of buzz lately. I think it’s because they are AMAZING! You can add any image to our decadent frosted sugar cookies to create an unforgettable party favor or promotional tool at your next event or celebration. Imagine the possibilities (or check out a few examples here, here, and here)!

Logo Perfect Cookies

If you don’t already have a copy of our 2010 Occasions Catalog, order your free copy now. You’ll thank yourself all year long!

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You’re standing at the door, about to ring the doorbell for a dinner party. Question: Do you have a host/hostess gift in your hands or not?

Well, it depends on the situation. Let’s break it down.

If you have a dish of food in your hand, an assigned side dish from the host, then there is no need to bring an additional gift. However, don’t bring a side dish unless you’ve been asked. The host has planned out the menu and your surprise addition could be more hassle than help as he or she scrambles to fit it into their plan.

If you have not been asked to provide anything for the meal, then it’s a good idea to show up with something in your hands to thank your host. It could be anything from a bottle of wine to a set of pretty hand towels, or my favorite—a tin of cookies.

If an invitation comes last minute, no need to panic about a gift. Take or send something a day or two later as a token of your thanks. Even a hand-written note will do.

How much should you spend on a hostess gift? I use this rule of thumb: If you were going out to dinner (instead of to a dinner party), the amount you would typically spend on an entrée is about how much you should spend on a gift. If you stick to that rule, your gift will always be appropriate because it will always be in your budget.

Speaking of dinner parties, I’m off to one now! And what am I bringing? I’ll give you a dozen guesses…

12 Cookie Basket

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Your eyes are not deceiving you. That’s a big chunk of brownie in the middle of that cookie. I recently read this recipe posted by the one and only Bakerella and HAD to try it immediately. I mean, cookies and brownies in one? You had me at hello, Bakerella. You had me at hello.

The cookies are decadent and huge and perfect for the fickle treat lover who can’t make up her mind if she loves cookies or brownies best. (Cookies! No, brownies! No, cookies!) Here is Bakerella’s recipe, plus a few of my tips. Try this today and make your life complete.

Brownie Pillow Cookies

1 package brownie mix

1 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, plus 1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
12 oz. bag miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips

Make brownies according to package and let cool. Cut about ten 1 inch squares. Enjoy the remaining brownies. I used a pan about 8 X 8.

For the chocolate chip cookie dough, beat butter with a mixer until creamy. Add brown sugar and beat until smooth. Add eggs, yolk and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Combine flour, baking powder, soda and salt in a medium bowl and stir together with a wire whisk. Add flour to butter mixture and beat until combined. Stir in mini chips. Let dough chill covered in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Use a measuring cup to scoop batter by the 1/2 cup. Since it’s chilled, you may need to pack it with a spoon. Then use the spoon to remove the dough from the cup and place it on parchment paper. Work quickly so the dough remains chilled or either prepare one cookie at a time so the rest of the dough remains cold.

After the dough is on the parchment paper, make an indention and place a 1 inch square brownie in the center. Press the brownie down gently and work the remaining dough around the brownie. You can use your hands to shape the dough into a ball.

During this step, I found it easier to use a piece of parchment paper as a work surface since the dough can get sticky and then I used another piece of parchment paper for the baking sheet. If your dough gets too soft, you can chill the rolled dough balls for a few minutes right before baking.

Prepare six cookies at a time using a large baking sheet (15 X 20) and bake at 350 degrees for about 18 minutes. Return the remaining dough to the refrigerator until time to bake the second batch. Cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes and then cool completely on a wire rack. Makes about ten cookies using a little less than a 1/2 cup of dough for each cookie. If your cookies start to get too brown before they are done baking, you can place a sheet of aluminum foil over top for the last few minutes.

Mrs. Fields Tips: Slightly undercook your brownies; they will continue baking inside the cookie. If you don’t have mini chocolate chips on hand (as I didn’t), simply chop up regular ones into smaller pieces. And finally, immediately give at least half of these cookies away. You won’t be able to trust yourself alone with more than a few of them. They will overpower you.

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