18 June 2022, Saxony-Anhalt, Harz: Eva-Maria Gödde from North Rhine-Westphalia cools off in the midday sun with a glass full of ice cubes. The summer weather leads to the fact that many tourists prefer to look for a shady place. The event places remained to the city hall celebration in Wernigerode at noon largely empty. Photo: Matthias Bein/dpa (Photo by Matthias Bein/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Grilled ice cubes are the latest specialty street food in China. Specialty street food and new food innovations are something we’ve been covering for a while now on the show but… grilled ice cubes? That is a new one for us. Through the years we’ve talked about new stadium foods and fair foods popping up all over the world. Food innovations are usually getting more complex, not simpler.
A street vendor in Changsha, Hunan Province in China can be seen selling an interesting dish. Grilled ice cubes covered in spices. The “delicacy” is going for $2 a pop and we aren’t sure if it’s going to satisfy your hunger or keep you hydrated. The vendor takes some ice cubes, puts them on a hot grill, and adds sauce and spices like cumin and chili. This is a dish that won’t be served well done…would you give it a try?
This isn’t the first time grilled ice cubes have been seen in China but it appears the trend is growing. Believed to have originally been a joke, it looks like people either enjoy it or the vendors have caught on to the popularity and are striking while the grill is hot. Vendors are able to use whatever spice they want so the grilled ice cube flavors are endless and they have been described by one customer as “spicy” and “interesting”.
Shaved ice has been sold for a long time. Usually it’s a dessert or a summer treat that is flavored with something sweet. Like a lemon, raspberry or strawberry flavoring. We’re looking at this as essentially a spicy version of shaved ice and social media trend. Your $2 can get you something more delicious and satisfying we are sure of that.
What is the strangest street food you’ve had? Does grilled ice cubes sound like something you’d give a try?
The ideal way to spend the holidays is in the company of family and friends rather than dealing with a visit to the veterinary hospital. As Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve approach, the experts in toxicology at Pet Poison Helpline are warning pet lovers about the numerous hazards that pets may encounter during this holiday season.
“We receive more potential poisoning calls in November and December than any other time of the year,” said Dr. Renee Schmid, a senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline, in a press release. “Some of the biggest threats during the holidays are toxins that are prevalent throughout the entire year, like lilies, chocolate, xylitol, and medication, but there are many toxic items that are specific to the holidays, such as eggnog.”
Holiday Pet Dangers
Pet Poison Helpline shared a distressing incident from last Christmas. One involves someone’s two cats, who fell seriously ill after nibbling on a lily from a holiday bouquet.
During the previous winter in Indianapolis, a puppy was poisoned by ingesting half a cup of ice melt. The main concern for the medical team was the sodium chloride. Apparently, this can cause severe gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system signs, according to the Pet Poison Helpline.
Chocolate is a holiday danger for pets.
Another significant holiday danger is chocolate, with the added threat of xylitol. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is another dangerous toxin that can be combined with chocolate. With the increasing legalization of marijuana in many states, the Pet Poison Helpline has observed a rise in cannabis-related calls. While THC’s toxicity level is considered mild for dogs and cats, it can still have significant effects, they said.
Medications are a major year-round toxic threat. They become even more hazardous during the holidays when visitors may bring unknown medications into your home. “Of all the calls we receive at Pet Poison Helpline, animals ingesting human medications is one of our most common,” noted Dr. Schmid.
Pet Poison Helpline recounted an incident a few days before last New Year’s Eve. It involved an Alaskan Malamute puppy who ingested a Percocet, a pain reliever containing a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone. A visiting relative dropped the pill on the floor, and although it was unfortunately found by the dog. Happily, she was treated promptly and made a full recovery. However, the outcome could have been much worse. If you have holiday guests, they suggest reminding them to keep their medications out of reach of family pets and children.
Holidays create more opportunities for pets to come in contact with various toxins. Pet lovers need to be extra vigilant. This is especially true when around new people or environments.
Take a look at foods to avoid feeding pets during the holidays below.