National Ice Cream Month

It’s not as if we actually need an excuse to eat ice cream, is it? I think it’s safe to say that most people enjoy the cold, creamy treat and wouldn’t mind it if every month—perhaps even every day—were dedicated to the dessert. Whether you could eat a whole pint, or you’re like me and a small scoop will satisfy you for a week, be sure to enjoy your favorite flavors this month. Here are a few ways to celebrate National Ice Cream Month.

Try a flavor every day. This is a little too much for some people’s budgets (including my own!) but if you can do it, go for it! Really, if you purchase those little $1 to $2 cups at the grocery store, you’ll only be out $10 a week, which isn’t bad if you want to go on an ice cream tasting adventure. My plan is to pick a flavor each week that I’d like to try at our local Culvers and go for it. My favorite flavor, orange creamcicle, is being highlighted late in the month, and I can’t wait—since it’s only there once a month!

Try a new ice cream parlor. I was so sad to hear that this hot new ice cream parlor a few towns away from us closed up before we got a chance to try it. I’d heard rave reviews and we’d always said we would try it someday, but alas, someday is not meant to be. They just couldn’t make it so near a Dairy Queen, I suppose. Look around your area and see if there is a little Mom and Pop type ice cream parlor to try and see what they’ve got. Chances are you’ll find something you like.

Put a few dollars aside for the ice cream truck. Our truck has maintained a rather frustrating schedule this year. We usually try to keep $3 saved in the living room for weekly treats, but the truck has been coming so late—after my daughter’s bedtime—that we’ve pretty much given up on it. The anticipation, of course, is most of the fun—and there’s none of that if she is asleep. (We did try to buy her an ice cream once and put it back for the next day, but she just wasn’t as excited as she gets when she hears that bell.) If you have an ice cream truck that visits your neighborhood, why not treat yourself?

Experiment with new toppings. The last time we were at the store, I was amazed to see that you could purchase a dripping, syrupy version of the hardened chocolate topping you can find at so many ice cream shops! People assure me this is not new, but it’s still new to me, and I know we’ve got to try experimenting with it sometime this month. If you’ve already tried the hardened chocolate sauce, go for some fresh fruit, whipped topping, chocolate chips, or your favorite candy or cookie pieces.