Keeping Cool 2009

Last summer in Hangzhou was extremely hot and humid. On par if not worse than Singapore but without the air-conditioning and with more pollution. So, we were constantly ingesting food and drinks to try to beat the heat and posted an entry at the end of the summer showing some of the things we ate or drank in an attempt to keep cool.

At the beginning of this summer, I thought it would be a good idea to make a 2009 version of that post, keeping track of what we ate and drank this summer to keep cool. What I didn't realize back then was that we were going to have a lukewarm summer. There was maybe a week right at the end of May and then another set of arguably uncomfortably hot days a couple weeks ago, but otherwise I can't claim that we were ever searching for something to keep us cool. I'd been holding off for an Indian summer or something to try to get more photos for this post, but as I sit in our dining room with sweat pants, a fleece, and socks on Sept 1, I am beginning to worry that it will be snowing by October and I'd better get this post up before I am buried under both books and snow.

So, below is a collection of some of the things that we ate and drank in an effort to keep cool, or as was more likely the case this summer, just cause we wanted to (and really like ice cream)...

Homemade dark chocolate fudgesicles. Super rich and creamy and probably too big. About half way through they are the best things ever but if you finish the whole thing on your own, it's a bit sickening cause it's so dark and rich.

Fruit-infused ice water

Abbott's Chocolate Custards (with almonds or with sprinkles)

The best "healthy" chocolate-banana shake (pictured along with its ingredients)

This actually was cooling - ice cream at Chase Farms after a morning of strawberry picking

One of several trips to Bill Wahl's Microcreamery, Pittsford:

Cotton Candy Ice Cream and Grape Ice Sherbert

Shortstop, Ithaca:

Two-berry twist (raspberry and blackberry)

Classic chocolate and vanilla twist with rainbow sprinkles

Finally, I didn't actually have the pleasure of eating this, but I saw it in a food court in Manila and am posting it for my family and other supporters of the Milo industry:

Milo dinosaur, meet Milo soft serve