(MEDIA GENERAL) – Take heart, dieters! Today is a national cheat day. Why? Because it’s National Chocolate Ice Cream Day – a day reserved for shakes, malts, cones and anything else that can hold a delicious frozen treat.
Chocolate ice cream has been a popular dessert in the United States since the late 19th century, but according to most polls, is the second-most popular ice cream flavor – trailing vanilla.
On National Chocolate Ice Cream Day, we are going to celebrate the runners-up. Here are some other “second favorites:”
Samoas (Caramel deLites)
Maybe this isn’t a surprising runner-up because Thin Mints have been the dominant Girl Scout cookie for ages, but Caramel deLites are delicious, and we should take the time to remember that!
Samoas accounted for 19 percent of all Girl Scout cookie sales in 2014 – over 38 million boxes, according to Business Insider. Several of those were mine.
Apples
Apples are great! What is better than a fresh apple and a glass of cider on a fall day? The answer is a doughnut with a glass of cider, but apples are great, too!
Apples are the second most consumed fruit in the United States, behind bananas, according to the Produce for Better Health Foundation. Bake them in a pie, turn them into a sauce, cut them into slices or serve them with a swath of peanut butter. That’s one versatile food.
German Shepherds
According to the American Kennel Club, the German shepherd is the second-most popular dog breed in the United States. Labrador retriever has held the top spot for 25 years.
What do you want me to say? German Shepherds are cool. Labs are cool. Someone had to finish runner-up. Just click the link for puppy photos.
Justin Timberlake?
According to a fan poll on fanpop.com, Justin Timberlake finished No. 2 in a poll asking for fans’ favorite member of NSYNC. JC Chasez took top honors. My wife is crafting an angry Facebook post as we speak.