One of the State of Kansas’ Most Prolific Contributions to Mankind
July 23, 2024
So what has the State of Kansas contributed to the world which has reached practically every corner of our planet?
Sunflowers, you say? WRONG! The greatest majority of sunflowers in the world are grown in Russia and Ukraine.
Nope, Kansas changed the world by introducing the Icee (aka Slurpee).
The Icee was invented in 1958 by Omar Knedlik, a Dairy Queen owner in Coffeyville KS in the very southeast corner of the state on the Kansas-Oklahoma state line. (For more senior readers, you may remember the Dalton Gang. That group of desperados made Coffeyville their home base.)
Omar’s soda machine broke down, and he began placing bottles of soda in his freezer to keep them cold.
He began selling bottles of the soda which would instantly turn to slush once opened.
The frozen soda became popular with his customers, and the Icee was born.
Omar brainstormed with a lady friend in Coffeyville, and they came up with the name Icee together. His hometown friend then created the Icee logo still used today.
Omar invented and patented the first Icee machine made from a car air conditioning unit, and the rest is history.
In the mid-1960’s, the Southland Corporation, owner of 7-11 convenience stores, took notice of the popularity of the Icee and negotiated a licensing agreement for using the machines in its stores.
The marketing executives at 7-11 saw a win-win by changing the Icee name to Slurpee based on the slurping sound people make when drinking the beverage and by marketing off the sound.
Back in the 1960s and 1970s, Slurpee had its own song/jingle, which rivalled the Ozempic and Jardiance earworms of today.
Listen at your own peril.
Last year almost 170 million Slurpees were sold in 7-11 stores. One day every July, all 7-11 stores worldwide offer free Slurpees.
Additionally, over 500 million Icees were sold worldwide in 2023.
But none of the 670 million slushes sold last year offered even a single gram of whole food nutrition.
Mankind will not survive on Icees/Slurpees alone.
Also, Did You Know?
Did you know there are a greater percentage of thoroughbred horses (against the total race horse population in the U.S. of 1.1 million) than people (against the total U.S. human population) using the Bemer?
Most racing thoroughbreds in the United States use microcirculation devices as part of their training regimen, and Bemer is the overwhelming favorite microcirculation device amongst trainers.
Bemers are legal for the general health of the horse, just not allowed to mask pain from injuries.
Check out the very short video below for an understanding of the equine Bemer.
6 Keys To Making Lasting Changes To Your Health
Do you ever feel like it’s easy to start making healthier changes, but it’s hard to continue long term or life gets in the way? Here are 6 keys to making lasting changes to your health!
- Take time for yourself daily. Even if it’s 2 minutes to focus on the positive things in your life. You can even write down 1 or 2 things in a gratitude journal to start your day off right or keep it by your bedside to write in just before you go to bed.
- Nourish your mind and body. Fuel your body with good nutrition, lots of fruits and veggies and keep feeding your mind with positive thoughts.
- Move more! Our bodies are made to move, even if it’s a 10 minute walk around the block or 15 minutes of stretches.
- Take a moment to reflect and feel these changes. Take notice of how good you feel when you are taking care of yourself.
- Inspire others. It can be difficult to get started, so make it easier for someone else by bringing them with you on your health journey. Inspiring others will also inspire you!
- Create a community. Surround yourself with like minded people. It’s so much easier to keep healthy changes when you have a community to cheer each other on.
Berries and Lemon Cream Parfait (Serves 4)
This light fresh dessert can be prepared in a matter of minutes. Elegant enough for company.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup each of blackberries, raspberries and strawberries or (any berries you like)
One 8 oz. container of Greek yogurt 1%
1 cup Kefir, plain
3-4 tbs. Lemon curd, Dickinson’s or Stonewall kitchen – (in jelly section of most grocery stores and certainly at a specialty store)
One 1/2 tbs. chopped candied ginger
1/4 tsp. vanilla or almond extract
Mint for garnish (and toasted coconut or Go Lean cereal if you like on top)
Gently mix berries in a medium bowl and set aside.
Mix yogurt, kefir, lemon curd and ginger until blended. Adjust amount of lemon curd based on how lemony you want your cream to taste. Layer parfait starting with lemon curd, followed by berries and repeat ending with lemon curd. Sprinkle with toasted coconut, or if just for family sprinkle Go Lean cereal on top. Garnish with mint.