Former President Ronald Reagan made many wonderful contributions to this country, one of them being his creation of National Ice Cream Day, which falls on July 17 this year.
In 1984, Reagan dubbed July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. Calling ice cream the “perfect dessert and snack food,” the Gipper encouraged all Americans to observe the special day with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.” Though anti-obesity advocate first lady Michelle Obama might feel uneasy about National Ice Cream Day, we invite you to indulge a little this afternoon.
According to a proclamation (Proclamation 5219, to be exact) if you are a patriot, you will go out and eat yourself a big helping of the cold stuff. In his official 1984 proclamation, Reagan declared:
Ice cream is a nutritious and wholesome food, enjoyed by over ninety percent of the people in the United States. It enjoys a reputation as the perfect dessert and snack food. Over eight hundred and eighty-seven million gallons of ice cream were consumed in the United States in 1983.The ice cream industry generates approximately $3.5 billion in annual sales and provides jobs for thousands of citizens. Indeed, nearly ten percent of all the milk produced by the United States dairy farmers is used to produce ice cream, thereby contributing substantially to the economic well-being of the Nation’s dairy industry.
So true. Other important facts about ice cream: more ice cream is sold on Sunday than any other day of the week. The most popular flavor of ice cream in the U.S is vanilla (27.8%), followed by chocolate (14.3%), strawberry (3.3%), chocolate chip (3.3%) and butter pecan (2.8%). The most ice cream (per person) is eaten by children aged 2-12 and adults 45+. The average number of licks to consume a single scoop cone is about 50. It is delicious.
In honor of the late president and the tasty treats that cool us down during humid summers, scroll through our slideshow of ice cream pictures (see stills below). If you plan on purchasing some ice cream later today, look at our selection of photos for ideas on what to order.
(And remember the Gipper’s love for Jelly Bellys… )
h/t to The Daily Caller and Gothamist
Michelle Obama’s campaign to raise awareness about rising obesity, especially in children, is a good program for the First Lady to tackle. Encouraging our young people to get away from the electronics and get outside to play, participate in sports or just enjoy the outdoors is also a good idea. Legislating what we can eat and threatening to take kids away from their parents because they are overweight is appalling, un-American and certainly un-constitutional.
Bring on the education and awareness, but food police and usurping parental rights in not okay.
Perhaps improving the economy and providing jobs would be a better focus than punishing parents who are barely making ends meet and trying to feed their families?!? And if people had more income, they could make better food choices and purchases. How about getting the additives that make us all fat and make us want to eat more out of the food as well, stop the government from subsidizing fast food, and how about banning the GMO foods completely? Those would be a great addition to the campaign! And that Mrs. Obama would really be a worthy cause!
In the meantime… a little fun, happiness and dessert helps our attitude. Beside the decline in jobs, income and discretionary income Americans have had a lot to digest and deal with since 9.11 (10 years now) and comfort food is often what the doctor orders… unless you are on ObamaCare!
Learning to Make Gelato for New Theatre Project
Happy 2nd Birthday Sundae at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor - My Auntie was telling me how she spent her 16th B-Day at the Farrell’s on Van Nuys Blvd with 16 Friends and that when they delivered the two Zoo’s they dropped one on one of her guests. Mad me smile! 
So if you missed National Ice Cream Day on the 17th… enjoy some today! It has been a hot summer!! And the key to healthy eating… is everything in moderation, even some good desserts!
Posted by Ask Marion - Photos by the UCLA Shutterbug
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