Downwind"Where was the Vanilla?"
Throughout the year, there are many National “Months” and National “Days” designed to bring special focus on something or some group. Just recently, March included National Women’s History Month, Irish-American History Month, National Celery Month, National Pig Day, National Snack Day, and many more.
March was also “National Nutrition Month.” This year’s theme was “Celebrate a World of Flavors.” The dairy industry jumped on National Nutrition Month by promoting a wide variety of milk and dairy foods that provide endless options to meet an individual’s personal needs, tastes, and preferences within a variety of cultures.
I accidentally “backed” into the celebration of National Nutrition Month through a recent family dinner…
The family gathered in a restaurant a few weeks ago, celebrating my mother-in-law’s 88th birthday. I had just polished off half of a 14-inch-deep dish pizza when my brother-in-law announced that we would go back to the house for dessert. Dessert, in addition to chocolate cake, would consist of seven different ice cream options.
Hearing this exciting news, I suggested to my twenty-something stepson that he should try all seven flavors of the ice cream.
He responded, “He would if I would.” One would think at my extended age, I would know better. I accepted and the “Seven-Scoop Challenge”. Nope, peer pressure doesn’t influence me.
The following ice creams were facing us…
- Double chocolate raspberry
- Mint chocolate chip
- Rocky road
- Butter pecan
- Chocolate and fudge swirl
- Fruity, white chocolate
- Chocolate chip
My mind said, “Where was the plain old vanilla”? Note the presence of a lot of chocolate option ice cream flavors. Despite the lack of my favorite ice cream, vanilla, I bravely pushed through…scoop after scoop of ice cream flavors disappearing thanks to my mighty spoon (I nicknamed it “The Creaminator”).
My self-proportioned serving sizes grew gradually smaller but somehow, I pushed on. I noticed other family members also participating in the challenge which aided my motivation (again with the peer pressure). Finally, after slogging through my seventh scoop, I called “uncle.” I figured that I had “won” the challenge after my son-in-law stopped at six scoops, turning his nose up at the butter pecan.
But no…what was this?
The Birthday Girl had quietly entered the competition, working her way through each flavor! Ultimately, my mother-in-law dominated the competition with seven scoops, a reasonable slice of chocolate cake and then, for the victory, finishing off some of the ice cream tub bottom scapings! What an ice cream warrior. She earned the golden ice cream scoop award!
I did review the Dairy Council’s marketing of dairy products related to National Nutrition Month and could find no recommendation of seven scoops of ice cream for a nutritious and well-balanced meal. Simply an oversight, I am sure.
Reflecting, what a wonderful way to observe National Nutrition Month…extra calcium for strong teeth and bones. I can’t wait until the next birthday and June’s National Dairy Month!