My friends and family understand the significance and hardship of this. I inherited a love of ice cream from my mother’s father. Grandpa ate it everyday. He always had multiple flavors in his freezer, even though he was very strict about his budget in other ways due to living through the Great Depression. However, ice cream was a necessity. Any day at Grandpa’s house, ice cream was served and shared in the evening with much cheerfulness.
It did not seem odd to learn that Grandpa ate ice cream on his oatmeal, too. I don’t know how he started this habit, but when he was a US mail carrier in the 1940s, he would have to get up very early to sort his mail. There were no fancy machines then. After he shouldered his bag, he would stop at a local cafe and have vanilla ice cream on oatmeal for breakfast. Okay, I’ve never understood the ‘vanilla’ part, but I am grateful for his making this acceptable to my parents…
My parents continued the tradition of liberal ice cream consumption. We didn’t necessarily have it every night, but we had it regularly. Sometimes, when we visited someone’s house for dinner, ice cream was served for dessert in tiny little bowls. I have never understood this. When I got married, my husband, after he got over his shock, readily accepted our ice cream habits. I have regularly served oatmeal with ice cream to my children. When they were young, I did have to institute certain rules, such as: No oatmeal could be left when the ice cream was gone.
For years I have had my ice cream with milk, only slightly mixed so that the milk forms crunchy crystals on the ice cream. It is a great way to get calcium. Chocolate is the favorite, with an occasional dollop of another flavor, such as orange sherbet or cookie dough. Since chocolate is a known source of important minerals, it is a part of my well rounded diet.
Did I say diet? I actually mean that in the most complete sense. I must confess, though, that it is one of those times when I must make some adjustments. So here I am, finishing day 7 without ice cream. As the kids have observed, that means they are also on day 7 by default, but they are supportive and handling it well.
While I am inspired by the pending trip to Hawaii, I am also just gaining a degree of strength towards overall self-discipline as I enter my 50s with its slower metabolism. I am sure I will eat ice cream again, possibly enjoying it more after this deprivation. I will proudly continue the tradition. And maybe I’ll even try a triathlon. Then I’ll need lots of ice cream.
But………. But………. isn’t there another way?
I was thinking about participating in another triathlon too… It sounds like an even better idea now that I’ve thought about it from this other perspective… 😀
Orange sherbet or cookie dough? What about MINT?
Okay, I read blogs when they are attached to FB status updates! I’ve been making lots of ice cream lately. I usually have a vanilla custard base just waiting in the fridge for the right time. Haven’t bought any in awhile lately. We love vanilla on oatmeal with peaches and brown sugar! YUM
I will freely admit that while I’ve given up ice cream with you I’m still eating brownies. 😛
On the other hand, I promise not to make or bring any ice cream home until the moratorium is lifted.
Alright already. I won’t sneakily eat any while I’m gone ‘at school’ either. 🙂
Thank you all for the lovely comments!
I had pistachio and chocolate peanut butter the other day. It was so good!
O.o Mummy without ice cream? Don’t stay away too long, someone will accidentally vacuum you up thinking you’re a dust bunny!! 😀
Oh, I loved this very much, and Gr’pa would be extremely proud not only of the writing, but remembering him for his love of ice cream and how he made everyone else happy with it.
I encourage you to carry on with your “fasting,” and truly hope the reward will be great!
Love, Mom
Hi Laura, how fun this was to read, and oh, the “sweet” memories of G’pa and his love of ice cream!!! Uncle David has that same “addiction” and usually has a milkshake before going to bed!! Love to all of you, and have fun in Hawaii
Aunt G
I could survive ice cream skippage better than I could survive living without chocolate. 🙂
Who are you kidding???
Your not entering your 50’s yet!!!!!
I’m ahead of you, don’t rush me!
49 in for me in 5 months…. you ‘ahead of me’ as you said :-). I think that’s close enough to say “entering.!” I think I can face the numbers, but enjoy life!
*is thinking of all sorts of substitute desserts that he could throw out there . ..but maybe not. Enjoyed the post, and even more because of potential triathlons!