Hi Clare,
Certainly try the ice cream recipes - they are fantastic, honestly they taste just as good as all the market brands - my kids love them, I myself prefer the old fashion vanilla ice cream and so easy to make.
We purchased a Sunbeam Ice Cream Maker ($50) - it was a worthy purchase, though ice cream has to be made in advance (ie. freeze canister for 18hrs, cool ice cream mix over night) I have found this gives the best results.
:) Debbie