When making apple juice, look for apples that are, well, juicy! Red Delicious apples have a lot of juice, as do McIntosh, Winesap, and Granny Smith. Fresh apple juice takes time, but the results can be well worth the effort.

• Wash each apple well, and cut in half. Remove the peel, core, and seeds.

• Run the apples through either an apple press or a juicer.

• Pour the juice through a fine-mesh cheesecloth to remove any chunks.

• Measure the juice you've produced. To keep it from turning brown and gathering sediment, add powdered ascorbic acid (vitamin C), in the proportion of 0.1 ounce of powder to 20 cups of juice. For ½ cup juice, you'd need to add only about teaspoon of vitamin C.

• Refrigerate immediately, and use within 1–2 days. If you want the juice to last longer (without turning into vinegar) you'll need to pasteurize it.

Do-It-Yourself Pops

When your baby's not feeling well, one of the most important things you can do for him is keep him hydrated. If he refuses to take an electrolyte drink from a bottle, try freezing it in ice-cube trays. Slide half of a popsicle stick into each cube once it is partially frozen so you have a convenient handle to use later.