Photo: Sundaes and Cones, New York University, New York, NY

Summer is around the corner, and we are sure you cannot wait to go out and enjoy the sun, surf and the great outdoors.

And what’s better to cool off on a hot summer day than some ice cream. It is no wonder then that July is National Ice Cream month (by Congressional resolution the 3^rd Sunday of July is actually National Ice Cream Day!).

Ice cream makers are continuously working on new flavors and toppings to grab as much of  $21 billion U.S. ice cream industry as they can. Source: 86 Amazing Ice Cream Facts by ecreamery.com https://www.ecreamery.com/amazingly-sharable-ice-cream-facts.html.

What are some of the craziest flavors of ice cream out there?  Try beer, lobster, bacon or parmesan gelato.  But in case you were wondering, the top 2 flavors remain to be vanilla with 29% of the market, followed by chocolate with 9% http://www.derinice.com/news/15-most-popular-ice-cream-flavors.

For those college-bound students scouting out their future dream schools, you might want to include one other criteria to your search:  check out this list of 50 Great College Town Ice Cream Shops updated by Great Value Colleges http://www.greatvaluecolleges.net/50-great-college-town-ice-cream-shops/ like Yale University which has 2 shops in the top 20.

The top 20 rankings in the list go to the following schools:

1. Two Spoons, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
2. The Maryland Dairy, University of Maryland
3. Chillz Frozen Custard, University of New Mexico
4. Mallard Ice Cream, Western University University
5. Slickables Ice Cream Sandwiches, Arizona State University
6. Prince Puckler’s Gourmet Ice Cream, University of Oregon
7. IceKrimski Café, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA
8. Andy’s Frozen Custard, Northwestern University
9. MSU Dairy Store, Michigan State University
10. Kurver Kream, University at Albany, Albany, NY
11. UDairy Creamery, University of Delaware
12. Thomas Sweet Ice Cream and Chocolate, Rutgers University
13. UConn Dairy Bar, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
14. Halo Dairy Farm, College of New Jersey
15. Flayvors of Cook Farm, Amherst College, Amherst, MA
16. Jake’s Diggity Dog (continues to sell the Hawaii-imported Mochi ice cream), Yale University, New Haven, CT
17. Ashley’s Ice cream Café, Yale University, New Haven, CT
18. Sundaes and Cones, New York University, New York, NY
19. LocoPops, Duke University
20. Hot & Cold, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

So go ahead, take the campus tour, pepper the guide with questions and wander around the schools quad. And after a long day trying to find THE school for yourself, sit down and reward yourself with a cone.  When you think forward to more tests, standardized exams and application essays, better reward yourself with a double scoop.

Here are some tips to make your everyday life easier on and outside the campus:

1. Lots of foods are naturally gluten-free
   There are many choices that you can make with regards to food can be naturally gluten-free such as fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, eggs, meat, poultry, and fish. You can easily find these in the grocery stores or look for them on the cafeteria menus.
2. Read food labels and don’t be afraid to ask if you are not sure
   Get used to reading food labels for ingredients and look for items in the grocery stores or online that specialize in gluten-free labeling and products. More and more companies are recognizing the need for this and are incorporating facts into the product labels and ingredients.Familiarize yourself with different ingredients to avoid such as wheat, barley, rye, oats or any other ingredient that has been made through breeding these together.
3. Consider naturally gluten-free grains and food
   There are plenty of grains and cereals that you can incorporate into your diet. Quinoa, polenta, buckwheat, corn, millet and tapioca are just some of the naturally gluten-free grains which can be included in the diet. Just check the labels to make sure you are using uncontaminated versions. Try using rice, gluten-free pasta and cereal or look for baked goods that use some of the grains listed here such as quinoa and buckwheat.
4. Avoid certain types of alcohol
   Remember that certain types of alcohol such as beer, lager and stout have gluten and are not suitable for a gluten-free diet unless they are labeled as such. Wine, cider, port and spirits are ordinarily gluten-free but again check that there is no cross-contamination and if you are not sure ask.
5. Inquire about sauces as they can frequently have ingredients that are not gluten-free
   A common ingredient in many of pasta and food sauces, stock and gravies is wheat flour. So ensure that you know the ingredients and exclude it from the menu if it is not suitable for you. You can try making these yourself when you have time and stock on these items for school.So with a little bit of planning and preparation, you can easily get used to food options and items in your diet that can keep you healthy and gluten-free. And remember, just because you have to have a gluten-free diet, it does not mean that you cannot enjoy delicious and tasty food.

• Create a routine.We know how hard it can be to function on a regular sleep schedule when you’ve got irregular hours, but try your best. Even on days when you can sleep in, try to go to bed and wake up at around the same time. Creating a routine helps your body learn when it’s time to rest.
• Limit your caffeine consumption. Or at least plan your caffeine consumption strategically. It’s best to consume your caffeinated indulgences (coffee, soda, or chocolate) early in the day, before 2 p.m. By slashing your caffeine intake and sticking to an earlier schedule, you might see a huge impact on your sleep schedule.
• Get some exercise. Even just going for a walk later in the day can help relieve some of the stress and tension you’ve built up. Try to get in some exercise after classes or work, but before you eat dinner or start your homework. You’ll feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
• Ditch your electronics. Teenagers often stay up until the wee hours of the morning texting or chatting with their friends. Try your best not to bring your laptop or phone into bed with you. Instead, read a book or listen to some relaxing music. As fun as they are to use, our electronics are distracting and create extra stress when we’re trying to decompress. Put them away.
• Release your worries. Insomnia is often caused by worry, especially when it comes before a big day. Let go of your worries by taking some time to work through them. Call someone and talk about your concerns, or get out a piece of paper and write about them. Once you’ve done this, you can relax a little bit more.Short naps can help make up for lost time when you’ve battled insomnia, but it’s best to try and eliminate the problem altogether. Do you ever have trouble falling asleep? How do you find ways to relax and de-stress?