Today’s National Day Calendar Celebration is one that will take you by surprise. Children of all ages will love it. A few will despise it, but they just don’t know what they are missing. Today is National Ice Cream For Breakfast Day.
Do we need any more explanation than that?!?
While some may think that this is just a contrived celebration by some individual who has nothing else better to do with their time than to create celebrations, it’s actually over 60 years old. “Florence Rappaport of New York created Ice Cream for Breakfast Day [in the 1960s] as a way to chase away cabin fever for her six children due to a winter storm that had blown through the area. The annual celebration caught on as her children grew and shared it on their travels. Today, the day has been observed in Canada, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Israel, and more.”1
There is a delicious picture on the National Day Calendar website, featuring a fluffy, round waffle topped with a caramelized sauce, chopped pecans, a dollop of whipped cream, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Mmmm, Mmmm, Good! isn’t just for soup!
The health conscious are having a panic attack right about now! Relax. This isn’t as bad as it seems. Pecans are some of the healthiest nuts you can eat. They “are rich in copper, an important mineral for the nervous and immune systems, and thiamine, a B vitamin key for energy production. Pecans are also rich in zinc, another key nutrient for immune function.”2
You cry, “But what about the ice cream?!?” What I found blessed me and I hope it will bless you. Ice cream is NOT as bad for you as you might think. “A typical serving contains essential nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins such as A, D, and B12. Calcium and phosphorus are vital for maintaining strong bones and teeth, while vitamins play crucial roles in immune function and energy metabolism. Moreover, ice cream often contains protein, a macronutrient essential for muscle repair and growth.”3 And let’s not forget the psychological benefits.
“Consuming ice cream can trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good hormones. The creamy texture and sweet flavor stimulate the brain’s pleasure centers, providing a sense of happiness and relaxation. Furthermore, certain flavors like vanilla and chocolate contain compounds that can reduce stress and anxiety. By indulging in ice cream, individuals can experience a temporary mood lift, highlighting its role in promoting mental well-being.”4
I don’t know about you but I’m liking this celebration more and more! The waffle is simply the delicious, edible “bowl” that carries all this goodness.
While you still may not be convinced, just be glad it’s not the breakfast John the Baptist would have eaten. Matthew 3:1-4 says, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, (2) And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (3) For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (4) And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.”
Locusts and wild honey, anyone?!?
John was pretty smart in knowing the nutritional value of the locust. They are high in protein (more than chicken or beef), rich in essential vitamins and minerals, aid in supporting your immune system, low in fat, and a 
sustainable food source. And, while locust may not be on your breakfast plate this morning, it’s possible that they are in other places in the world. For centuries, they have been a food source in many countries.
How do you cook them? One website suggests roasting, frying, boiling, or powdering them to be used as a flour substitute or in protein shakes. It’s been said that they “pair well with garlic, chili powder, soy sauce, or lemon juice.”5 I’ll just have to take their word for it.
What about honey? This is one of God’s greatest gifts to man! The benefits are immeasurable and the uses innumerable. Many passages in the Bible give reference to the benefits of honey. Do some research about the benefits of incorporating local honey into your diet and routine.
I will admit that I’d rather find a bowl of ice cream for breakfast than locust and wild honey. But whatever is on that plate, the Lord gave some instructions in 1 Corinthians 10:27. “… whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.”
1https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/ice-cream-for-breakfast-day-first-saturday-in-february
2https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/g45960642/healthiest-nuts/
3https://healthprep.com/flow/fitness-nutrition/10-surprising-health-benefits-of-ice-cream-for-your-mind-body-and-soul/
4Ibid.
5https://snuggymom.com/are-locusts-edible-for-humans/
Images are taken from https://pixabay.com/, https://www.pexels.com/, or https://unsplash.com/images or created in Windows Copilot. According to the websites, they are Royalty Free and free to be used for our purposes.
