Celebrate Every Day

Welcome to February 26, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate time honored tales and a practical nut.

“Once upon a time…” This is probably one of the best-known openings to stories ever. We’ve all heard it since we were small children each time we read a fairy tale. And what comes after that is always something to inspire the imagination. Giants, wicked stepmothers, talking animals. And of course princesses and heroes. Fairy tales were passed down as oral stories for generations until the Brothers Grimm came along and collected them in a book. On National Tell a Fairy Tale Day, share one of these beloved stories with the kids in your life or entertain the kid in yourself with some fascinating fiction.

When it comes to nuts, some are just plain addictive. Take pistachios for instance. The global consumption for just one year can reach over one and half billion pounds. Because they are easily cracked from their shells, most people eat pistachios by the dozens. And that means piles of leftover shells when you are done snacking. But did you know there are plenty of ways to recycle them? Some people use them as kindling to start a fire. Others line the bottom of potted plants with shells for better drainage. Salted pistachio shells can make a border for outdoor plants, because the salt keeps snails and slugs away. And the nuts themselves are full of nutrients for healthy snacking. With all this good news National Pistachio Day is the perfect time to get cracking.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to February 25, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate skipping the straw and avoiding the heat in the kitchen.

One of the biggest man-made structures on the planet wasn’t created on purpose. Out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is an object known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It covers an area twice the size of Texas and is comprised mostly of plastic bottles and bags. But one of the other big contributors is the plastic straw. These everyday items not only contribute to pollution, but also kill fish and other sea animals who eat them. On National Skip the Straw Day, try using a paper or reusable straw. Maybe even try drinking without one. It’s a small change that can make a big difference. Marlo, I know that you have taken up that challenge for life.

Boston and New York have a rivalry that dates back centuries. One State was colonized by the religious Puritans, the other by The New Amsterdam Company. Boston became a center of education. New York was built around banks. And, of course, the Yankees and the Red Sox. This rivalry extends into the world of soup as well. New England clam chowder is a rich, cream based soup made with potatoes, onions, and pork fat. The Manhattan version is tomato based. They are equally delicious, but don’t tell that to any New Englanders. The region is so against the Manhattan recipe that someone once introduced a bill in the Maine legislature to ban the use of tomatoes in chowder. On National Clam Chowder Day, enjoy a delicious bowl of this seafood favorite, but watch out for the hot controversy.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to February 24, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate daredevil chips and mixing up the chili.

One of the best parts of eating at a Mexican restaurant is gorging on chips and salsa before the meal arrives. But sometimes, one tortilla chip is more than enough. For the past few years, a company called Paqui has been daring customers to eat one of their chips. Just one. The catch is that this one tortilla chip is spicier than almost any other food. To be specific, it’s 8,000 times hotter than a jalapeño pepper. The single black chip comes in a coffin-shaped box with a giant skull on it. We are in no way recommending that you try this, but be sure to check out videos of the One Chip Challenge on YouTube. And celebrate National Tortilla Chip Day with some mild mannered chips and dip while you watch videos of the brave, crazy people who think they can handle spicy food.

Ever have chili with cinnamon? If not, you’ve probably never been to Cincinnati and experienced their take on the dish. Cincinnati chili isn’t as thick as the traditional stuff and it’s usually served as a sauce on other foods. The most popular way to eat it is over spaghetti. And when ordering, there’s a system for doing so—called “ways.” If you know the lexicon, it’s easy. Two way means spaghetti topped with chili, which is the basic version. And if you order a five-way chili, you’ll get the same thing, but with the addition of beans, chopped onions, and cheese. Sounds weird, but if you’re in Cincinnati on National Chili Day, give it a whirl. It’s surprisingly good.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to February 23, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate strange things under foot and our favorite waste not want not bread.

In the 1980s in Philadelphia, pedestrians who looked down at the sidewalk found some very strange art. At random points around town, someone had put tiles on the ground reading TOYNBEE IDEA IN MOVIE 2001 RESURRECT DEAD ON PLANET JUPITER. Identical tiles appeared in New York, Chicago, Boston, and other major cities. They’re called Toynbee Tiles and no one has ever figured out who’s doing it. Or even why. The message is likely a reference to the British philosopher Arnold Toynbee. He theorized that dead particles could be brought back to life. But who knows? The next time you find yourself walking in a big city, take a moment to notice what might be under your feet. On National Tile Day, you could just be part of this strange mystery.

If you have ever turned overripe bananas into delicious banana bread then you already know the virtue of the saying, waste not want not. But before the 1930s most desserts made with bananas only used slices of the fruit in perfect condition. The Great Depression changed all of that. During a time when food was scarce, no one would dream of tossing out fruit, even if it was past its prime. The real hero was a newly discovered ingredient which did most of the heavy lifting: baking soda. By the 1930s, cookbooks made use of baking soda in all kinds of quick bread recipes and ripe bananas played a starring role! On National Banana Bread Day, bake up a tradition that’s still good to the last crumb.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to February 22nd, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate Gold Fever and celebration in a glass.

California as we know it might not exist if it weren’t for James Wilson Marshall. In 1848, he was building a sawmill near Sacramento for his employer, John Sutter. Here he spotted something shiny in the river. It turned out to be gold. Although the men tried to keep the find to themselves, news got out and soon people were coming from all over the country to strike it rich. In the span of a year, the population of the area increased from 1,000 to over 100,000. Because of this gold rush, California suddenly became much more important to the United States and became the 31st state in 1849. On National California Day, celebrate the Golden State, its natural beauty, and the accidental discovery that made it what it is today.

When Mariano Martinez began serving frozen margaritas at his restaurant in the 1970s, most people loved the new version of this drink. But his bartenders complained that it took too much time and preparation to make them. Martinez found a solution at a 7-Eleven convenience store. He noticed the Slurpee machine and thought it could easily make a large batch of margaritas. Using a soft serve ice cream machine, he began experimenting with recipes to get the consistency of the margaritas just right. Eventually, he found the perfect mixture of tequila, simple syrup, and water. And voila! A new twist on an old favorite was born. On National Margarita Day enjoy your favorite version of this perfect celebration drink.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to February 21st, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate going grain free and the humble beginnings of a National monument.

Grains have been a staple of diets since the dawn of civilization. So if you’re one of the millions of Americans who have a grain allergy or intolerance, you may find meal time a bit challenging. But it doesn’t have to be. These days, there are plenty of options in grocery stores and restaurants for people living a grain-free life. On National Grain-Free Day, try sharing some of these dishes with friends and family. They might not be keen on the idea, but something like cauliflower pizza crust may just surprise them. It sounds weird, and it’s not the real thing, but it’s really really good and it might just pave the way for more adventures in the kitchen.

In 1885, Charles Rushmore was hiking through the Black Hills of South Dakota. He was checking on gold mines for his employer, when he passed by one of the big peaks. Looking up, he asked his guide if the peak had a name and the guide jokingly said, “It never had any but it has now. We’ll call the thing Rushmore”. Today the mountain is an awe inspiring monument to some of the greatest presidents in United States history. Washington reminds us of the country’s founding. Jefferson symbolizes its growth. Theodore Roosevelt represents the conservation of its natural beauty. And Lincoln, the preservation of its union, no matter the cost. On Presidents Day, we celebrate the contribution of the folks who built the United States from the ground up.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to February 20th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate laws about dessert and a legacy of leadership.

If you have dinner in Kansas and opt for dessert, watch out for what you choose. It’s perfectly acceptable to eat cherry pie, but if you decide that you want it à la mode, you’re going to find yourself in some trouble. For some reason, there’s a law in Kansas that makes it illegal to eat cherry pie with a scoop of ice cream on top. Nobody seems to be sure what prompted this law to become necessary, but luckily it’s not enforced. Kansas also has a law banning the hunting of whales, so clearly someone way back when was having a bit of fun passing legislation. On National Cherry Pie Day, celebrate with a slice of this classic American dessert. Except where prohibited by law.

John C. Maxwell defined leadership as this: “Leadership is influence; nothing more, nothing less.” Maxwell is an American author, speaker and pastor who has literally written the book on leadership. Several books in fact. This world influencer truly understands that, at its heart, leadership is about service. His people based messages define his values and carry far beyond the written and spoken word. Clearly Maxwell has led by example and hopes to inspire leaders far into the future. He encourages us to create an environment of affirmation for both young and old. We honor him on National Leadership Day, as he celebrates his 75th birthday.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to February 19th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate animals that inspire nobility and lash envy.

Arabian horses were the first breed of horse ever domesticated. About 5,000 years ago, the Bedouin people broke wild horses and used them for transportation in the deserts of the Middle East. Because of generations of being raised in such harsh conditions, Arabian horses are renowned for their endurance. Though this beautiful and regal animal can have many different color coats, its skin underneath is black, which is another evolution from living in the desert—the dark skin helps to protect the horse from overheating. On National Arabian Horse Day, we celebrate this noble steed and the ways it continues to inspire us.

When it comes to thick, beautiful eyelashes, one animal stands head and shoulders above the rest. It turns out that giraffes have special lashes that are perfect for protecting their peepers. In the natural world, lashes that are too long can cause evaporation. Eyelashes that are too short don’t protect from dust and wind. And thick lashes make it hard to see. But giraffes have just the right “Goldilocks effect.” They have several rows of thick eyelashes that filter out sunlight and dust, which is very important when you’re standing around in the bright African plains. Their lashes are essentially built in sunglasses. On National Lash Day we celebrate the beauty and function of eyelashes, and try not to have lash envy for animals who don’t worry about losing their sunglasses.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to February 18th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the ancient origins of wine and batteries.

People have enjoyed alcohol throughout history. But its discovery was likely a happy accident. Fermentation occurs naturally with grapes because yeast is on their skin. Because this happened without having to do anything to the crushed fruit, ancient people viewed the process as something magical, created by the gods. Fermentation occurred with grain and other fruits, but folks found that it worked best with grapes. Once they understood the fermentation process, winemaking became more elaborate and created a tradition that continues to this day. Oenophiles rejoice! It’s National Drink Wine Day. Pour yourself a glass of this heavenly alcohol.

Have you ever noticed that smoke alarm batteries go dead in the middle of the night? This happens because batteries slow down when it’s cold, setting off that annoying sound. As convenient as they are, batteries are far from perfect. But there are reasons to celebrate these portable power sources by seeing just how far they have come! A two thousand year old battery was discovered in a Baghdad museum. This ancient wonder combined a ceramic pot, a copper coil and a rod of iron. Great minds are still making improvements and today smart batteries are even able to detect when they need changing. Maybe in the future they can wake themselves up in the middle of the night so you can spend National Battery Day recharging yourself!

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to February 17th, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate pastimes that are for the birds and one kind moment in history.

Birdwatching can be fun, but you have to be very patient. Why not make the birds come to you, courtesy of a bird feeder? There are few things more relaxing than sitting at your kitchen window, coffee in hand, watching birds in your tree only a few feet away. One of the best ways to attract a good variety of birds is to use different types of seed and different feeders. Set them at different heights, and you’re almost guaranteed to have a parade of feathered friends. During National Bird Feeding Month, get your feeders set up, pull up a chair, and wait for the inevitable arrival of birds. And probably squirrels.

Mark Twain once said that, “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” It can even melt the stony heart of your enemies. On a cold morning in December, 1914 the Western Front of World War I took a pause for Christmas. Though it was only 5 months into the war, and it would not be repeated again, it is perhaps one of the finest examples of chivalry during wartime. Soldiers on either side of enemy lines greeted each other in their native tongue. They sang Carols to one another in plain sight and even exchanged gifts of cigarettes and plum puddings. It was Pope Benedict the XV who suggested this hiatus, but it was the hearts of men who made it happen. On National Random Acts Of Kindness Day we invite you to witness miracles for yourself, both great and small that come from leading with your heart.

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices