Celebrate National Ice Cream Day

Get your scooper ready!

In 1984 President Reagan proclaimed July to be National Ice Cream month the third Sunday to be National Ice Cream Day. This year, that Sunday falls on July 15th. President Reagen declared that the people of this great land should celebrate the day with "appropriate ceremonies and activities." So let's get ready!

Why Sunday?

Do you know which day of the week is the most popular day to buy ice cream? If you guessed Sundae (I mean Sunday), you guessed right! They don't call it a Sundae for no reason. Actually, the exact origins of the term are up for debate. Two cities in New York are engaged in a heated debate over which town can claim the right to declare itself the "birthplace of the sundae."

New Flavors Rise in Popularity

Yahoo search results list the top 25 searched for flavors as:

1. Vanilla
2. Chocolate
3. Strawberry
4. Peach
5. Banana
6. Coffee
7. Green Tea
8. Coconut
9. Butter Pecan
10. Peanut Butter
11. Lemon
12. Pineapple
13. Apple
14. Ginger
15. Mango
16. Mint
17. Cinnamon
18. Spumoni
19. Oreo
20. Blueberry
21. Pistachio
22. Apricot
23. Custard
24. Cherry
25. Cheesecake

If some of those flavors sound a little exotic, you're right. The popularity of new international cuisine has led to an expanded palate. Flavors such as coconut, mango, ginger and green tea are popular new flavors. These flavors are nice, light ice cream flavors - try something new and maybe you'll discover a new favorite.

Ready to Create Your Own Signature Flavor? Grab a Ziplock Bag!

This simple recipe requires no special equipment and is a fantastic summer activity to do with kids. The great thing is that each child can make his/her own flavor so there can be at least one fewer arguments this summer.

Gather the following items and ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 6 tablespoons rock salt
• 1 pint-size zipper lock plastic bag
• 1 gallon-size zipper lock plastic bag
• ice cubes
• Any additional flavors (a teaspoon of cocoa or instant coffee perhaps, fresh mint, chocolate chips, crushed cookies - use your imagination!)

Follow these steps:

1. Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add the rock salt. Seal the bag.
2. Put milk, vanilla, and sugar into the small bag, and seal it.
3. Place the small bag inside the large one and seal again carefully.
4. Shake until mixture is ice cream, about 5 minutes.
5. Wipe off top of small bag, then open carefully and enjoy!

Choosing Organic Ingredients

Another great aspect of making your own ice cream is that you have control over the ingredients. Take the opportunity to use organic milk and fruits!

Homemade Green Tea Ice Cream

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

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