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You are here: Home / Archives for ice cream

Cherry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

by Alissa Segersten, Contributing Author

bowl with scoops of homemade cherry chocolate chunk ice cream with a few whole cherries on the side

It’s summer! Time to break out the ice cream maker and whip up some dairy-free ice cream. Plus, it’s cherry season right now.

Don’t have an ice cream maker? Watch a video that explains three easy methods to make ice cream without a machine.

Photo courtesy of Alissa Segersten.

Every summer, my family enjoys the messy task of pitting dozens of pounds of cherries for the freezer. Having a good cherry pitter that can handle the task of many cherries is key! Your children can remove the stems and help use the pitter. It’s quite satisfying watching all of those pits fall into the container, while the pitted cherries shoot out into a bowl! I just pour the pitted cherries into large containers for freezing.

Use your frozen cherries for cherry ice cream, cherry smoothies, or cherry-oat crisp. With all of the health benefits sweet cherries have, doesn’t it make sense to eat a bowlful a day while they are in season, and freeze some to enjoy throughout the year?

This coconut milk-based ice cream is a perfect way to indulge in both antioxidant-rich cherries and dark chocolate. Serve it as a sweet treat after dinner or a healthy mid-afternoon snack.

Be sure to use full fat coconut milk in this recipe. The hemp seeds give it some extra creaminess, healthy fats, and amino acids. You can easily omit the chocolate, if desired. You can also replace the cherries with blueberries, strawberries, or diced mango. All variations are delicious!

Chilling the coconut milk beforehand helps to solidify the cream into ice cream during churning. This nutritious dairy-free ice cream is full of beneficial fats found in the coconut milk and hemp seeds. It’s quite simple to make your own ice cream, and once you do, you’ll likely never go back to the store-bought stuff!

Cherry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

from The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook
Dairy-free, paleo • About 8 servings

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 cans full fat coconut milk, chilled
  • 6 to 8 tablespoons raw honey or coconut nectar
  • ¼ cup hemp seeds
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla powder
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • 1½ cups chopped frozen cherries
  • ¼ to ½ cup finely chopped dark chocolate bar, dark chocolate chips, or raw cacao nibs
METHOD
  1. Place the chilled coconut milk, honey, hemp seeds, vanilla, and almond extract into a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.
  2. Pour into your ice cream maker.* Add the chopped frozen cherries and chocolate chunks, chips, or cacao nibs. Process according to the directions that came with your ice cream maker. I usually let mine churn for 20 to 25 minutes and then transfer to a container for storing in the freezer.
  3. Freeze for 2 to 3 hours or until ready to serve. Serve each bowl with fresh cherries if desired.

*Don’t have an ice cream maker? Watch a video that explains three easy methods to make ice cream without a machine.

Eat the Rainbow

Eat the Rainbow: Starting with Red Cherries
By Alissa Segersten, Contributing Author

These jewels of the summer produce season offer a bevy of health benefits, as well as being irresistibly delicious.

Health Benefits of Sweet Cherries

Cherries are very high in antioxidants

Cherries are considered to have a high ORAC value (oxygen radical absorption capacity). What does this mean for you? Our bodies produce free radicals every day, and some people produce more than others. For example, when you are hypersensitive to a particular food or food group and you continue to eat that food, your body produces more free radicals than usual. Free radicals steal electrons from your cells, causing damage to cell membranes, proteins, and DNA. Having a lot of antioxidants in your body from the food you eat allows the free radicals to use electrons from the antioxidants, instead of your cells. The key is to lower the amount of free radicals your body produces, and increase the amount of antioxidants you consume. Eating a bowl of fresh (or frozen) cherries each day is a great way to do this!

Cherries reduce inflammation

Studies have shown that dark sweet cherries can reduce markers of inflammation such as CRP (C-reactive protein), as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines (immune system messengers) such as TNF-a. What does this mean for you? TNF-a creates a more inflammatory environment in your body, meaning you might feel more pain and aches all over when higher levels of TNF-a are circulating in your body. It is also produced in larger amounts when you have an autoimmune condition like rheumatoid arthritis. Research shows that a cherry-enriched diet reduced inflammation markers in animals by up to 50 percent! Certain plant chemicals called anthocyanins found in dark red and purple plant foods, especially dark sweet cherries, are responsible for inhibiting TNF-a production.

Cherries have been shown to reduce gout attacks

Research shows that the consumption of cherries can be an effective and natural anti-gout therapy. Daily consumption of 10–12 cherries has been shown to significantly reduce inflammation and gout attacks in gout patients.

Cherries protect against cognitive decline

Reducing oxidative stress is a key ingredient for decreasing cognitive decline. Cherries reduce oxidative stress in spades. The phenolic compounds in cherries play a key role in protecting the brain’s neuronal cells from cell-damaging oxidative stress. One study found that 12 weeks of sweet Bing cherry juice consumption (200mL per day) was able to improve cognitive performance in adults with mild to moderate dementia.

Cherries protect against cardiovascular disease

The anthocyanins in dark cherries help by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, meaning that cherries can help prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol—oxidized cholesterol is a key factor in the development of cardiovascular disease. The phenolic compounds in cherries have also been shown to lower blood pressure.

References:

Blando, F., & Oomah, B. (2019). Sweet and sour cherries: Origin, distribution, nutritional composition and health benefits. Trends In Food Science & Technology

Kent, K., Charlton, K., Roodenrys, S., Batterham, M., Potter, J., & Traynor, V. et al. (2017). Consumption of anthocyanin-rich cherry juice for 12 weeks improves memory and cognition in older adults with mild-to-moderate dementia. European Journal Of Nutrition

Kim, D., Heo, H., Kim, Y., Yang, H., & Lee, C. (2005). Sweet and Sour Cherry Phenolics and Their Protective Effects on Neuronal Cells. Journal Of Agricultural And Food Chemistry

Kelley, D., Adkins, Y., Reddy, A., Woodhouse, L., Mackey, B., & Erickson, K. (2013). Sweet Bing Cherries Lower Circulating Concentrations of Markers for Chronic Inflammatory Diseases in Healthy Humans. The Journal Of Nutrition

About the Author

alissa segersten of whole life nutrition and nourishing meals

Alissa Segersten holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Bastyr University. She is the founder of Whole Life Nutrition and Nourishing Meals, the mother of five children, a whole-foods cooking instructor, professional recipe developer, and cookbook author. She is passionate about helping others find a diet that will truly nourish them, and offers elimination diet recipes, healthy gluten-free recipes, and paleo and vegan recipes, as well as tips for feeding your family a nourishing, whole-foods diet.

Alissa is the author of two very popular gluten-free, whole-foods cookbooks and guidebooks: The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook and Nourishing Meals. She is also the co-author of The Elimination Diet book.

Learn more at nourishingmeals.com.

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RECIPES| SALES cherries| chocolate| homemade| ice cream| recipe| vegan

September Staff Pick and New Items

Staff Pick: Golden Oasis health smoothie by Kate Goldman, assistant manager at Bellingham Co-Op Bakery Cafe

Golden Oasis Smoothie

“The Golden Oasis Smoothie is my favorite. It’s perfectly balanced! Sweet dates and bananas are complemented by spinach to help you get your daily dose of greens. The golden milk spices are balanced out by the smoothness of the coconut milk. It’s unique and delicious!”

—Kate Goldman, Bakery Cafe Assistant Manager

Pizza'zza peanut butter ice cream sandwich, chocolate chip ice cream sandwich, and mint chip ice cream sandwich

Pizza’zza Ice Cream Sandwiches

Pizza’zza bakes cookies made with flour from Fairhaven Organic Flour Mill, fills them with Lopez Island Ice Cream, and sprinkles them with San Juan Island Sea Salt. A quadruple threat of local deliciousness.

double chocolate chip cookies with mint chip ice cream, peanut butter cookies with chocolate ice cream, chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream

$5.49 each

Hosa fermented hot sauce, the standard with logo of shriveled pepper with skull face

Hosa Fermented Hot Sauce

Chiles + vinegar + sugar + salt. That’s all! The slow fermentation process amplifies
flavors and activates the natural heat of the chiles. Handcrafted in Bellingham.

$9.99 each

Pangea curtido saurkraut and garlic dill saurkraut, local to Washington

Pangea Ferments Sauerkrauts

We added two new flavors to this already super-popular line of fermented foods made right here in Bellingham with 100% organic ingredients, time, and love.

garlic dill sauerkraut, curtido sauerkraut (a Central American style kraut)

$9.99 each

Capello's all natural fresh pizza, gluten free, grain free

Capello’s Gluten-free Frozen Pizzas

Pizza for all! Cappello’s specializes in high-quality gluten-and-grain-free products that everyone loves. We also sell their yummy gnocchi and fettucine.

cheese, sheep’s milk cheese, uncured pepperoni

$11.49-13.49 each

GROCERY| SALES cappellos| gluten free| hosa| hot sauce| ice cream| new items| pangea ferments| pizza| pizzazza| sauerkrauts| smoothie

Local Vendor: Lopez Island Creamery

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

July 2018
Bow Hill Blueberry ice cream from Lopez Island Creamery

Lopez Island Creamery makes super-premium ice cream and whenever possible they include ingredients from local suppliers including blueberries from Bow Hill Blueberries, coffee from Fidalgo Coffee Roasters, and dairy from Lynden.

Photo by Matt Curtis; styling by Habiba Sial

Ice cream is a popular item at the Co-op year-round; but in summer, ice cream achieves peak popularity. Luckily for us, we have an abundance of delicious local ice cream to satisfy our summer cravings for a refreshing frozen treat.

Among local favorites is Lopez Island Creamery.

I chatted with Alex Thieman, the owner of Lopez Island Creamery since 2011, to learn more about the creation of this indescribably delicious ice cream.

The business was founded over 24 years ago on Lopez Island by two women who started making ice cream in a tiny kitchen and sharing their flavor experiments with fellow islanders in exchange for feedback.

Eventually, the island-approved flavors made their way into local stores, restaurants, and events around the San Juan Islands. Since then, the business has relocated to Anacortes and expanded into marketplaces across Washington, Oregon, and Alaska.

Lopez is one of only a few small ice cream producers licensed as a dairy

What accounts for the expansion of Lopez Island Creamery? There are many factors, but one important distinction is that Lopez is one of only a few small ice cream producers licensed as a dairy.

Alex explained that most ice cream companies buy pre-made bagged ice cream mix as a base for their ice cream. Not at Lopez. Their process starts with fresh local cream, which allows for rigorous quality control from start to finish.

Lopez Island Creamery seeks out trusted local suppliers

Knowing where your ingredients come from and knowing the people who produce them is another aspect of quality control, so Lopez Island Creamery seeks out trusted local suppliers.

Co-op shoppers may be familiar with one of their favorite local suppliers, because it is also one of our favorites.

Lopez Island Creamery

“We are very proud to call Bow Hill Blueberries a partner,” said Alex. “Susan and Harley run a 70-year-old farm that specializes in heirloom blueberries and have worked tirelessly to transition their soil and plants to create wonderful organic blueberries.

We also use coffee from Fidalgo Coffee Roasters in Burlington, egg yolks from Everett, and dairy from Lynden.”

 

At left: Susan and Harley Soltes accept the Innovator Farmer Award at the 2016 Hootenanny for the Co-op Farm Fund.

Lopez ice cream is designated as super premium. “Super premium ice cream is more dense and higher in butterfat,” explained Alex.

real berries, pure vanilla extract, and high-quality cocoa powder

“That, however, is just a small part of what makes our ice cream special. We also use only the best ingredients we can find including real berries, pure vanilla extract, and high-quality cocoa powder, while avoiding artificial flavorings and colors.”

committed to same process as when the company first started over 24 years ago

Five years ago Lopez was producing about 400 gallons of ice cream per week. Currently, during the summer months production is close to 3,500 gallons per week. Despite the company’s growth, it is committed to same process as when the company first started over 24 years ago using small-batch freezers that make only 10 gallons at a time.

Making ice cream at Lopez Island Creamery

Photo by Andrew Sternard

“This process allows us to add in ingredients by hand and keep a close eye on each batch that comes out. A commitment to producing a locally sourced, all natural, handmade ice cream is still our highest priority,” said Alex.

I wondered how they could produce so much ice cream in batches of only 10 gallons at a time.

The answer: they have three freezers that produce a batch every 10 minutes. “We keep our freezers very busy,” said Alex.

At peak season, Lopez Island Creamery employs 20 people to keep those freezers running smoothly.

“I have the great privilege of working with a wonderful group of people, all of whom can somehow still have fun on the busiest of days. Each day is new and different and we work together to figure out how to overcome the hurdles together,” Alex said of his staff.

Packaging Lopez Island Creamery ice cream

Production Manager Marcus Lum (left) and Anna Jenny fill, lid, and bag a batch of Decidedly Chocolate ice cream. Lopez Island Ice Cream has always been handcrafted, 10 gallons at a time, to allow the ice cream makers to add ingredients by hand and keep a close eye on each batch.
Photo by Andrew Sternard

The business is committed to supporting its local community and donates “tons of ice cream” to everything from local PTAs to food banks, said Alex.

Co-op shoppers can support Lopez’s current donation campaign by purchasing Brad & John Berry Bourbon Ice Cream, named for the local 92.9 KISM morning radio show hosts. A portion of proceeds from the sale of the Brad & John flavor will be donated to food banks in Bellingham and Anacortes.

Lastly, Alex wanted to share his appreciation for you.

“We can't thank our customers enough. Whatcom and Skagit residents understand how important it is to buy local, because so many of us are connected to a small business. Institutions like the Community Food Co-op have played such a big role in our business by believing in our product and giving us the opportunity to share it with their members and customers.”

Blueberry ice cream from Lopez Island Creamery

Take home a pint and taste the Lopez Island Creamery difference that comes from handmade, small-batch ice cream crafted with care and quality ingredients.

Learn more at lopezislandcreamery.com.

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GROCERY| SALES ice cream| local| lopez island creamery

January New Items

Maxines organic Ice Cream

Maxine’s Organic Ice Cream

Live a little richer with Maxine’s. Made with organic sugar to sweeten, organic egg yolk to emulsify, and real organic ingredients to flavor.

vanilla, chocolate, cookies & cream

$7.25/1.5 quart

Bellingham nitro cold brew coffee in cans

Nitro Cold Brew from Bellingham Coffee Roasters

Energize with a cold brew. Locally made with only two quality ingredients: purified water and single-estate 100% Colombian coffee.

$4.49/8 ounces

Late July Salsas in jars

Late July Snacks Organic Salsa

Co-op shoppers love Late July chips. Now you can buy Late July salsa too! Made with non-GMO ingredients and no artificial anything.

 mild, medium, salsa verde

$4.25/15.5 ounces

Siete Chips grain free tortilla chips

Siete Grain Free Tortilla Chips

The siete (seven) members of the Garza family have created these delicious grain-free items that even Grandma Garza agrees taste better than her own handmade flour tortillas.
paleo • vegan • non-GMO • free of gluten, dairy, soy

sea salt, lime, nacho

$5.25/5 ounces

GROCERY| SALES chips| coffee| cold brew| ice cream| nitro| salsa

Acme Valley Foods

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

acme, acme valley foods, cheese, ice cream, granola

Acme Valley Foods makes delicious local treats with an added dash of generous community support—"It's Damn Good"!

cfc_local_logo_cmyk_1We love our local vendors. Working with local businesses keeps more money circulating in our local economy, provides local jobs, and supports the creativity, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit of our local community.

And when a local vendor strongly aligns with our commitment to give back to our community, then that relationship is all the sweeter.

Such is the case with Acme Valley Foods.

Not only do they have a line of delicious, high-quality local products—Acme Super Premium Ice Cream, Acme Farms specialty cheeses, and Chuckanut Crunch Granola—when you purchase products from Acme Valley Foods you are also investing in our local community.

Acme Valley Foods and its affiliates support a number of community and charitable activities.

Their major areas of commitment include end-of-life care, film and performance arts, drug policy reform and smart justice efforts in general, restoration of wolf populations in the Northwest, and increased recognition of the reality and impacts of climate change, as well as practical resilience strategies. Their community partners include Whatcom Land Trust, Conservation Northwest, Law Advocates, Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center, Pickford Film Center, Whatcom Hospice, Western Washington University, and Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement.

Acme also partnered with us to help raise money for the Co-op Farm Fund at our annual Community Party in August. They donated their delicious ice cream sandwiches (people raved about them and some came back for seconds) and we raised almost $400 to kick-start the “Let it grow” campaign to raise funds for the Farm Fund.

As their ice cream label proudly declares, “It’s Damn Good”!

We agree. Acme Valley Foods' delicious local treats with an added dash of generous community support—“It’s Damn Good”!

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GROCERY acme| acme valley foods| cheese| chuckanut granola| community building| community giving| granola| ice cream| local

Acme—The Height of Delicious

by Laura Steiger, Publications Coordinator

acme ice cream logo mountains sunset tractor

At Acme Ice Cream, new flavors are always in development.

You can even submit a suggestion for a new ice cream flavor at Acme’s rather adorable website.

Being of a certain generation, when I think “Acme,” I used to think Wile E. Coyote, and all those ingenious Acme products he purchased that invariably backfired on him. But, now when I think “Acme,” I think ice cream!

Although Acme Ice Cream is now made in Bellingham, its birthplace was the small town of Acme. Their website explains that, “acme means the highest or summit of achievement, and we think Acme is the perfect name for our ice cream.”

Though in business for little longer than one year, Acme Ice Cream has already developed a devoted following—our stores alone sell nearly 100 pints of Acme Ice Cream every week—and deservedly so.

Acme strives to include as many local ingredients as humanly possible

Gabe Tucker, general manager, explained that Acme strives to include “as many local ingredients as humanly possible,” and that includes milk from hormone-free Whatcom County cows, strawberries from local grower Curt Mayberry, and coffee from Hammerhead Coffee, among many others local suppliers. Additionally, it is made in small batches of only 50 to 100 pints at a time, so the ice cream in the store today was guaranteed to have been made in the past month, or more likely the past week or two. That freshness results in peak flavors that are fresh on the palate.

When you’re talking to an ice cream maker, you just have to ask how much ice cream he eats in a typical day, right? Gabe says he eats a spoonful of each flavor every day, as quality control (uh-huh). With about a dozen flavors, and new flavors always in development, that seems like a sensible RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of ice cream.

The newest Acme flavor to hit the freezer case is Boundary Bay Oatmeal Stout—rich and smooth. By the way, you can submit a suggestion for a new ice cream flavor at Acme’s rather adorable website (acmeicecream.com). No guarantees, but perhaps Acme Ice Cream can make your ice cream fantasy come true!

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GROCERY handcrafted| ice cream| local| premium

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