Tag: Choices

Who Loves Ice Cream?

It is a safe bet to say that most Americans love ice cream! It has been a standard part of most people’s diets for many generations. But if you ask a dozen different people what they like the most, you will probably receive a dozen different answers. It seems that each person has his or her own preferences; and with ice cream, they are usually very strong preferences. Each person simply knows what he or she likes the most. Surprisingly– or not– there are a number of factors which influence this type of preference, determining why some people prefer specific ice creams over others. While a person may occasionally try something new and different, he or she will usually have one flavor and one form that he or she likes the best.

Studies have shown that the main deciding factor in this preference is set in childhood. Ice cream, a standard treat for most American children throughout the decades, is often associated with good, happy, carefree moments of childhood. Sometimes this factor includes specific events in one’s childhood, or simply the time-period itself.

Associating one’s ice cream choices in adult life to early childhood is not as odd as it may sound. Ice cream preferences may be connected to childhood experiences, such as the favored dessert at one’s family dinners, the main focus at birthday parties, or a treat given as a reward for special accomplishments. Statistics show that if you were given a vanilla ice cream cone after attaining a good report card, for example, decades later you will still have a distinct preference for vanilla ice cream.

In ice cream preferences, there are a number of other factors which influence preference. Some are so common that the clerks who work in ice cream shops can often make very accurate guesses as to what a customer will want before he or she orders, simply based on these factors. Young children, for example, are those who are most likely to request the most creative types of ice cream. Youngsters are naturally drawn to such tasty oddities as gummy bears, and it presents a double treat for them when such things are added into or mixed into their ice cream.

On the other hand, high schoolers have a distinct preference for milkshakes. Teenagers loved milkshakes fifty years ago, and teenagers today love them just as much. Whether it is the still-popular oldfashioned form of a malted, or the ever-increasing flavor and style varieties of Dairy Queen Blizzards, teens love these products which are sold in large cups, portable and delicious.

Not surprisingly, it is the trendy young adults who usually prefer the trendy ice creams. Being drawn to the unusual names which ice cream manufacturers give these products, and the unusual compositions of these ice creams which may or may not live up to their names, young adults go for what is new, modern, and different.

Although each person is individual, of course, studies have shown generalizations in the ice cream preferences of people by group. Women have been shown to be more in-tune with the weight aspect of the foods they consume, and make up the majority of those who most often choose the low-fat and light styles of ice cream. Women are also shown to be more cautious in their food choices, preferring standard, basic, and what is most familiar.

On the other hand, it is usually the men who are most inclined to “throw caution to the wind” in their choices of desserts and treats, choosing their ice cream mostly on the basis of taste and enjoyment. But whether male or female, the older people are the more likely they are inclined toward butter pecan and pistachio.

Ice Cream Today

What is happening and new in the world of ice cream? As companies continuously strive to improve their products, and to make them more appealing to customers, much goes on behind the scenes to generate such improvements. Everything from taste, packaging, and numerous factors for the health-conscious are frequently scrutinized, debated, and changed, to keep up with the times and to generate the most sales.

The majority of customers would not be pleased if the only ice cream available to them was the original version first brought to America by Thomas Jefferson. The majority of customers would also not be pleased if ice cream companies did not present them with any flavor varieties, no provisions for customers with dietary restrictions or weight-loss issues, or even a basic choice in whether one prefers ice cream in a cone or a bar. When it comes to consumers, most do not want a “one size fits all,” but rather an extensive range of choices in the products they purchase.

One of the most important factors influencing choice is that of health concerns. No longer a product which is off-limits to many for this reason, ice cream is now being produced with two factors which were not available in ice cream’s early days. First, ice cream is now being produced which takes into consideration various health concerns. Second, ice cream is now being made in ways which promote better health for its customers in general.

An improvement to ice cream which has had positive effects on the most people has been the alterations to one of ice cream’s main ingredients: sugar. The subject of sugar is very important to those with certain health conditions, most notably diabetics. As a person who has diabetes must pay close attention to his or her intake of sugars, ice cream used to be one of the many treats which was completely off-limits. Fortunately, that is no longer the case. Ice cream manufacturers now produce a nice range of ice creams which allow diabetics to enjoy this product while at the same time safeguarding their health.

In addition to ice cream made especially for diabetic consumers, the sugar subject is also often of interest to those who have weight-loss goals. While sugar itself is not nearly as disastrous to weight-loss diets as many previously believed, ice cream manufacturers take this issue into consideration and make ice creams which are sugar-free, as well as no-sugar-added products. Keeping their ice cream customers happy has accounted for sugar being replaced by numerous sweeteners and substitutes. One which is currently favored is aspartame.

As many customers also wish to limit their intake of fat, ice cream is now produced which will aid in this factor also. Whether one is on a controlled-fat diet for health reasons, or simply a matter of choice, ice cream companies now produce a wide range of tasty low-fat ice creams which provide both the health benefits and variety that will make all of their ice cream fans happy. No longer having to cut ice cream out of their diets, or settle for less-enjoyable substitutes, consumers are being presented with more and more healthy ice creams from which they can choose.

Not content with merely making ice cream better, those in charge of its production wish to make it the best. Unlike the early days of ice cream, or even just a few decades ago, where what you saw was what you got, many ice creams are now being fortified with extra calcium, and research is being done to find what other improvements can be made. For ice cream fans, it is good to know that ice cream producers are constantly seeking ways to improve their products to make ice cream accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

How We Are Influenced To Want Ice Cream

The American public is influenced to want ice cream. It is not about “subliminal messages” or anything else of an unusual nature. The public is naturally influenced by what we see and what we hear. The truth is that whatever our own personal opinion or reaction that fact may be, we cannot discount the strong influence the media has over our choice of what we purchase and consume. It affects various people in various ways, but it does in fact affect us all. One of the best effects is that it keeps both the ice cream companies and the consumers happy!

One aspect of influence is that the American public loves its celebrities. While this particular subject may not be as strong an influential factor on the older members of the population, it is one of the most important for the youngsters. Children love to emulate their favorite celebrities; and as more and more celebrities put every personal aspect of the lives in the spotlight, their likes and dislikes and preferences are all displayed for their young fans to copy.

While adults may not fully understand children’s wish to eat the same foods as their favorite stars, the fact is that it does have a very strong influence on the children’s preferences. Pop star Britney Spears, for example, lists her favorite food as Cookie Dough ice cream. The current favorite ice cream of Justin Timberlake: Baskin-Robbins Daiquiri Ice.

Another influencing factor are television commercials. As companies such as ice cream companies pay to sponsor these advertisements, the point is to draw in as many potential customers as possible, and influence people’s choices in their ice cream purchases. While there are fewer of these televised commercials now than in the past, they continue to be a strong influencing factor.

A recent poll has shown that twenty percent of the viewers like these ads; and that more men than women like them. The most important point, though, is that these commercials do work. One recent report has shown that Haagen-Dazs sales have risen more than three and a half percent in one year’s time. Appealing to today’s consumer, who prefers a combination of simplicity and indulgence, the Haagen-Dazs ice cream company not only creates winning ice cream, but winning television commercials. And while the new commercial produced by Turkey Hill Dairy to advertise their new Duetto ice cream has only begun to be broadcast, so its results are not yet available, the commercial which shows painting cows to reflect the flavor swirls of the Duetto ice cream is sure to reach some degree of success in influencing consumers to try this new product.

Ice cream is popular in many media forms. This, also, is an influencing factor. When we see ice cream in movies and television shows, we want it. When we hear ice cream being sung about in popular songs, we want it. While it is unlikely that ice cream companies are behind this in any manner, they probably appreciate the influence it has on the American public’s rush to the local grocery stores to buy the ice cream products that we hear about and see. For fans who do not get enough references to ice cream in movies and songs, one also has the opportunity to download MP3s of their favorite ice cream truck tunes!

Tackle Box Must Haves

You cannot have success at any sport if you do not have the right equipment. When people think of fishing, they automatically think of rods, reels, and bait. However, you cannot underestimate the power of the tackle box because it plays an important role in the success of your fishing expeditions.

Many people covet their tackle boxes because they represent a lifetime of trials and tribulations regarding what methods work for which fish. If you are a novice in the world of fishing, you could find yourself overwhelmed with the possibilities and choices that are available. Starting your tackle box can seem challenging, but if you stick to the basics, you will be able to get started without a hitch.

The first thing that you need is to pick out a box. A tackle box should be strong and able to handle wear and tear easily. The plastic tackle boxes are usually thick and come with strong handles making it easier to lug back and forth between boat, river, and pier trips. The most important thing when deciding on a box is the latch. Your tackle box must have a sturdy latch because you do not want everything to spill out on the dock or into the water. When you are in a boating store, pull on the latch and test it before you decide on a purchase.

Some essentials to keep in a tackle box are hooks, lines, and sinkers. Hooks are an important part of fishing because without them you will not be catching very much. The larger the number size of the hook, the smaller the hook actually is. When you buy line, make sure that your line fits your reel. Keep an extra spool in your box for just-in-case purposes.

Sinkers are important for helping your bait to catch fish below the surface of the water. In order to get your line to the bottom you are going to need split-shot sinkers. Sinkers are made from different materials, but the safest are the ones that are made from steel, tin, and non-toxic metals. Some of the sinkers are made from lead and they can potentially poison some types of fish.

Lures are going to be the next thing that you add to your tackle box. There are many different types of lures ranging in all colors, shapes, sizes, and material. Different fish are attracted to different types of lures. For instance, a kingfish will be more attracted by a lure with glitter while a bass will be more attracted to a worm shaped lure. Make sure to know what the fish you are trying to catch like to eat before you buy.

Some fun gadgets that may be useful are the leaders, snap swivels, fingernail clippers, needle-nose pliers, practice plugs, stringers, and maps. Maps are obvious because you need to know how to get to your favorite fishing spots. However, the other things may need some greater explanation. A leader is a piece of line with a metal core that will keep a fish from biting off the line and escaping. A snap swivel will prevent tangles in your line and a practice plug is for casting. Lastly, a stringer will help you to keep your catch fresh in the water.

Quick and Easy Lunches for the Cooking Challenged

Let’s face it, cooking is not a top priority in the lives of every man, woman, or child on the planet. In fact, far too people have made learning to cook a priority in their lives. This means that we often exist on convenience foods and boxed mixes rather than taking the effort to prepare healthy meals for our families and our own personal enjoyment.

The same holds true for lunches when we often resort to a can of soup or box of macaroni and cheese or some other such product rather than putting our creative efforts into making a quick and easy yet delicious lunch. You will see many ideas in this article and the hope is that these ideas will not only get you off to a great start for ending the lunch rut we all seem to find ourselves in at some time or another but also to try new things on your own.

First of all, not all great lunches require actual cooking in order to prepare. Some of them will require the use of the microwave and some of them will need to be cooked or at least prepared before hand and reheated. The choices are virtually limitless once you understand the creative concept that must be in place. You should also find that many of these ideas are so simple you will wonder why on earth you have never thought of them. I certainly hope that some of these ideas will become main features within your own home.

Lettuce wraps. These mike delightfully delicious lunch treats and the filling can be prepared ahead of time, which leaves only reheating the filling and wrapping when you’re ready to eat. This is a fun lunch to share with your little ones and it teaches them that lettuce is much more versatile than people often give it credit for being. Some people choose to go with a teriyaki inspired filling; my family likes taco inspired fillings for our lettuce rolls. You are perfectly free to come up with a favorite filling of your very own.

Try sandwiches with different breads. Believe it or not, my children love trying new things. It’s a rare trait for which I am extremely grateful. Believe me I understand all too well how fortunate I am. My youngest however, has a little difficulty with thick or crusty bread. Her favorite sandwich choice has become Hawaiian sweet rolls. We put the meat, cheese, mustard, and pickle in her roll as if it were a bun and she’s thrilled. Other great ideas include hollowing out crusty rolls and filling them with roast beef and cheddar. You can broil this in your oven for a few minutes for a rare sandwich treat. The cooking part is very minimal and you do not have to have in depth knowledge of anything to prepare or enjoy these simple treats. Other great bread ideas include croissants with ham and cheese or chicken salad, taco pitas (another great favorite in our household), and paninis (this works really well if you have a George Foreman grill or a panini press).

While this is by no means the end all be all guide to cooking quick and easy lunches it is good food for thought. The hope is that this will get your own creative juices flowing so that you can prepare wonderful lunches for your family without needing to do too terribly much heavy cooking in the process.

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