Junk Food Nation, back in this post, I talked about why October was one of my favorite months.  The reasons at that time were simple: brisk weather, seasonal flavors begin to populate, and of course, sports. Well, JFN, March is much of the same, and contends with October for the #1 seed in months of the year. Everyone had really great guesses in yesterday’s post, but here is why March in DC is the best:

1) SUNDRESS SEASON: Here in DC, there is a wonderful season of the year that exists at the beginning of Spring, and its called Sundress Season. That is to say, its the season where all the females in DC decide that after weeks of chilly weather, 65 degrees seems reasonably warm enough to wear one piece shimmery dresses that barely cover any skin. If you were in California, 65 degrees means a fleece, jeans, and boots. In DC? 65 degrees means girls are laying out in bikinis, dudes are running outside without any shirts on, and of course, ladies are wearing sundresses like its the uniform for the rest of the year. (Sidenote: to quote every person over 40: “that’s how you get sick.”) It’s incredible, and occurs without fail. Every guy in DC knows: during Sundress Season, the # of degrees equals the % of skin you let the sun hit. Is this creepy? Sure, but you wouldn’t catch me wearing those things. Too breezy.

More reasons why March is the best after the jump.  Today’s junk food: Encore Edition! Flavor Remix! Ben & Jerry’s Dave Matthews Band Magic Brownies Ice Cream!

The Money Shot

Purchased at my local Fresh & Green store, Ben & Jerry’s Dave Matthews Band Magic Brownies Ice Cream labeled itself as “Encore Edition!” I wasn’t sure what this meant, but black raspberry ice ream, sweet cream ice cream, and fudge brownies was enough to make me plop down the cash to get this in my mouth.

Magic brownies...you're talking about drugs, right?

According to Wiki, Ben & Jerry’s Dave Matthews Band Magic Brownies Ice Cream was around from 2005-2007.  In 2005 I was working in Baltimore and was probably listening to Dave Matthews, but was completely unaware they had an ice cream. My bad, Dave.  According to this thread, this ice cream was “fucking delicious.”  We’ll see.

And magic brownies….that’s some drug reference, right? See? See? I’m no square. (Do people say, “square” still?) *sigh*

Frightening red monster

Ben & Jerry’s Dave Matthews Band Magic Brownies Ice Cream, when it first came out, looked like this – simple purple and maroon colors. This tub of Encore Edition features a frightening red nightmare monster dancing on the label. Some DMB fan, inform me: is this a reference to an album, or is this the horrifying vision I’m likely to have after eating magic brownies?

This is Remix to the Ice Cream

Ben & Jerry’s Dave Matthews Band Magic Brownies Ice Cream’s FIRST Encore Edition debuted in 2008, and was covered by fellow blog On Second Scoop at that time. So this must be their SECOND Encore edition.  I can’t see the word remix without humming Ignition in my head.  Damn you, R. Kelly.

BTW, I like how the icon is a lighter, like the one you would hold up presumably at a DMB concert. Or to smoke your magic brownies.

Second encore?

Ben & Jerry’s Dave Matthews Band Magic Brownies Ice Cream has some kind of environmental angle. While I do support reducing the carbon footprint, I wanted more explanation as to the red guy on the label.

Carrrrrrrageeeenan

Fun fact of the day: Carrageenan is a vegetarian and vegan alternative to gelatin. Nice.

Holy magic brownies

ZOMG, what??  WHAT!? That’s what this ice cream looks like?  In that it looks AMAZING????? Sweet cream ice cream, swirled into black raspberry ice cream, with fudge brownies…check, check, and CHECK! Let’s eat, fools!

Delectable

Encore Edition! Flavor Remix! Dave Matthews Band Magic Brownies Ice Cream! TASTY.

The black raspberry ice cream is fruity for sure, and is cut by the creaminess of the sweet cream ice cream.  Great blend there, and satisfying.  An interesting mix of a creamy and a more icy flavor.  And then HUGE FUDGY CHUNKS of brownie.  Not too doughy – more cocoa/chocolatey than I would’ve guessed.  Stain your teeth, stick to your tongue fudginess!  Went GREAT with the ice cream, as the sticky richness cut right through the creamy flavor.

The combo – absurd. I’m glad B & J brought this back for a second encore, because I really missed out the first two times.  Wonderful job.

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More on March awesomeness:

2) SPORTS (Duh!): Of course, sports was going to be one of my reasons. I get more excited for the opening round of March Madness than any other opening round in sports. You think Wildcard Weekend for football or the opening round of the playoffs for the NBA or MLB even come close? No chance. It is the undisputed king of all playoff tournaments. March Madness is pure, its exciting, and there are games from 10:30am until close to midnight. Sports nirvana.

Plus, Spring Training for baseball is in full swing, with exhibition games happening everywhere. Some of my favorite memories involve traveling to Phoenix, AZ to visit my friend Erik and going to Spring Training games all over the Phoenix, Goodyear, Glendale area.

Finally, add in the NFL Combine, the home stretch for the NBA and NHL, NASCAR beginning its season, golfers are gearing up for the Masters at the beginning of April. March is the perfect nexus.

3) ST. PATRICK’S DAY AND SHAMROCK SHAKES: Ding ding ding! People guessed this right off the bat, and I am very impressed.  With no real Spring seasonal flavors, this is what I default to.  Valentine’s Day and Easter Candy is nice, but when else (besides October, bwahahaha) is there something that actually influences the simple milkshake?  March, that’s when, chumps.  And for the first time, McDonald’s will be making Shamrock Shakes available nationally this year.  Great googly moogly.

So there you go. Smarch…I mean, March, is tied for the #1 seed of all months. Go forth and be merry these next four weeks.  You know *I* will be 😉

Comments? Hit me in the comments below or hit me on Twitter @junkfoodguy or on my Facebook Page.

Sincerely, Junk Food Guy