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Health and Wellness

The Summer of Ice Cream

If someone suggested ice cream, I wasn't allowed to say "no"

Lauren Burkholder

Sep 04, 2019

West Chester University

Lauren Burkholder

For me, this summer was the summer of ice cream.

I eat a lot of ice cream year-round. Almost every single day, I have ice cream with my breakfast or for dessert after dinner. But, it's always the "healthy" ice cream (usually Halo Top, Enlightened, or Yasso).

Having a past history of an eating disorder, "real" ice cream is still one of those seemingly "scary" foods to eat. It is mentally challenging for me to eat ice cream from an ice cream shop when I don't know what the exact ingredients are or what the caloric content is.

So, this summer, I made it my goal to eat as much "real" ice cream as I could. If someone suggested that we get ice cream, I wasn't allowed to say "no." I had to take it, no matter how hard it may be. I wanted to experience true food freedom and be able to eat "real" ice cream without overthinking it or feeling guilty about it afterwards.

And,so, this summer, I ate a lot of ice cream. I took multiple trips to a little ice cream and coffee shop in McCall, Idaho while I was on vacation. I went to Rita's and got a gelati. I visited my friend's mom at her gelato store after a mini golf game to celebrate my *almost* victory (I lost in a tie-breaker challenge). I went to the Still in Boise for my birthday. I finished the ice cream that my aunt couldn't finish after I had finished my own and was asked if I wanted it. I took (multiple) spoonfuls from my boyfriend's ice cream when he offered me a taste. Of course, I also ate a ton of Halo Top and Enlightened at home, too.

Lauren Burkholder

But, to my surprise, it wasn't at all as difficult as I thought it would be to eat "real" ice cream, and it got easier each time. Going on ice cream dates with family and friends is fun and delicious!

It honestly makes me sad that I have spent so many years avoiding situations where I might be asked to eat "real" ice cream, but I am super proud of myself for overcoming my fears this summer and super happy that I can finally enjoy life ED-free and the delicious foods it has to offer!

So, if anyone wants to get ice cream sometime, let me know because I plan on sticking to my "never say no to ice cream" food rule for the rest of my life.

Lauren Burkholder

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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The Summer of Ice Cream

If someone suggested ice cream, I wasn't allowed to say "no"

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10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

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2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

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5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

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7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

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Candles

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